Caught Between Laughter and Chaos ( 17 )

Liana chased after Javier with surprising speed, her maid's uniform flowing as she sprinted through the marketplace. The villagers chuckled at the scene, their surprise evident. It was rare to see a noble child so carefree and playful, a stark contrast to the stern and composed heirs who had visited the village in the past.

"Young Master! Get back here!" Liana's voice rang out, determined yet tinged with exasperation.

"Ehehehe..." Javier laughed, weaving through the market stalls, his mischievous grin never fading.

Finally, Liana managed to grab hold of his shirt, halting his escape. Javier stopped, a playful smirk on his face, and raised both hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, my sweetheart, you caught me."

Liana, slightly out of breath, glared at him, her face a mixture of exhaustion and exasperation. "Young Master! How could you—!"

Before she could finish her sentence, Javier pulled out a small cup of cold juice and handed it to her with a charming smile. "Here you go, sweetheart," he said smoothly, his tone playful.

Liana blinked in surprise, momentarily caught off guard by the gesture. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she accepted the juice. "You're impossible, Young Master." She sipped the juice, the cool sweetness refreshing after her sprint.

Javier tilted his head, his grin widening. "So, can we at least walk around before heading home? Just for a bit?"

Liana sighed, lowering the cup. Her eyes softened as she looked at the boy—no, the young lord—who, despite his endless mischief, always managed to win her over. "Fine," she relented, shaking her head. "But only for a little while."

Javier's face lit up, and he took a few playful steps forward, gesturing for her to follow. "Thanks, Let's go!"

Liana could only smile as she followed after him, quietly marveling at how effortlessly he could charm his way into her good graces. The villagers who watched them chuckled warmly, charmed by the bond between the noble's youngest son and his ever-loyal maid.

Liana accompanied Javier as they strolled through the village, her eyes ever-watchful. "Young Master, don't try to run off again," she said firmly, glancing at him.

"Shall we hold hands, then?" Javier asked with a cheeky grin, his golden eyes sparkling with mischief.

Liana sighed, knowing resistance was futile. "Here," she relented, extending her hand toward him.

Javier took her hand eagerly, his grip warm and secure. Liana's breath caught momentarily—his hand felt bigger than hers, and as she looked up at him, she realized just how much he'd grown. Despite his young age, he now stood taller than her, his demeanor a curious blend of childlike enthusiasm and mature confidence.

They strolled through the bustling streets, hand in hand, while Javier marveled at the sights. Liana, meanwhile, couldn't help but admire how he carried himself. Despite his mischievous nature, Javier had a way of making people feel comfortable, telling stories and charming everyone he met.

Suddenly, Javier's face lit up, and he pointed excitedly. "Ohhhhh!!! What is that?!"

"Where?" Liana asked, scanning the area as he tugged at her hand.

"That bird! That big bird! Ohhh!!!" His voice brimmed with excitement.

Following his gaze, Liana spotted what he was pointing at. A large, feathered creature was pecking at the ground near a farm. She sighed. "That's a Pekko, a monster bird often used to pull carriages or as mounts. But taming one is no small feat."

"But there! There's a whole flock of them!" Javier exclaimed, releasing her hand and dashing toward the farm.

"Young Master!" Liana called after him, exhaling deeply. "Sigh... This Young Master..." She shook her head and followed, watching as he approached an older man tending to the Pekkos.

"Excuse me, old man! How much for that monster bird?!" Javier asked, his excitement evident.

The farmer turned to him, eyes narrowing slightly before noticing Liana standing a few paces behind, her maid uniform bearing the emblem of the viscount's household. Realizing the young man before him was likely the viscount's youngest son, he straightened up immediately.

"Ah, good day, Young Master. How can I assist you?" the farmer asked with a polite tone.

Javier waved dismissively. "Geh, old man, enough with the formalities! Just tell me—how much for that bird monster?!"

The farmer chuckled at the boy's straightforwardness. "A Pekko like that? Well, they're not exactly cheap, Young Master. Untamed ones start at 15 gold coins. Fully trained ones cost much more."

Javier's eyes widened as he turned to Liana, his expression a mixture of astonishment and determination. "Fifteen gold?! Liana, I need one of these!"

Liana pinched the bridge of her nose, suppressing a smile. "Young Master, please don't make any rash purchases."

"But look at them! Imagine me riding one of these into the estate—so cool!" Javier spun around dramatically, already envisioning himself atop one of the massive birds.

"Perhaps you should ask your father before making such a purchase," Liana suggested, tugging gently on his sleeve to steer him away.

"Ugh, dried plum would just say no," Javier muttered, pouting but letting himself be led back.

The farmer laughed softly, watching the pair leave. "Quite the lively Young Master you've got there," he said to Liana.

"You have no idea," she replied with a small smile, as Javier continued to chatter excitedly about someday owning a Pekko.

"Can I at least try riding one? Ehehehe!" Javier asked with a mischievous grin.

"No can do, Young Master!" Liana said firmly, crossing her arms. "What if you get hurt?"

"Well, that's what experience is for, right? Ehehe." Javier turned back to the farmer. "Hey, old man, let me try riding one!"

Before the farmer could answer, Liana raised her voice. "Young Master. No!"

But Javier, being his usual self, didn't listen. With a mischievous chuckle, he vaulted over the fence. "Ehehehe…" he giggled, sneaking up to one of the Pekkos. He stroked its feathery head gently, the bird tilting its head to look at him curiously.

"Young Master!!!" Liana shouted, panic creeping into her voice.

"Relax, Liana, look—it likes me!" Javier grinned, patting the Pekko as it squawked softly. Without missing a beat, he clambered onto its back, balancing himself on its broad feathered body.

"Young Master, get down this instant!"

"Yeahhh!!" Javier whooped, ignoring her. The Pekko, startled but not hostile, began trotting in circles. Its pace picked up as Javier shifted his weight, and soon it was running around the pen with him on its back, feathers flapping in the breeze.

"I'm a thief! Hand over your loot, or I'll take your lives!" Javier shouted dramatically, mimicking a bandit with exaggerated gestures. He pretended to wield an invisible sword, pointing it at imaginary enemies while the Pekko squawked and bucked playfully beneath him.

The villagers gathered, chuckling at the spectacle.

"Young Master, stop this nonsense!" Liana yelled, running along the fence, her face a mix of exasperation and concern.

"Never! The mighty thief Javier is unstoppable! Hand over your treasures!" he declared, laughing as the Pekko responded to his playful energy by spinning and hopping.

The crowd burst into laughter, watching the comedic scene of a noble boy pretending to be a bandit atop a Pekko that seemed equally as enthusiastic.

Finally, after a particularly sharp turn, Javier nearly lost his balance, clinging to the Pekko's neck. "Whoa, okay, maybe slow down, big guy!" he said, laughing breathlessly.

Liana had had enough. She climbed over the fence and marched toward him, her face red with frustration.

"Young Master, I swear—!"

Before she could finish, the Pekko stopped abruptly, and Javier slid off with a triumphant grin. "See? Easy peasy! No harm done!" He spread his arms dramatically.

"No harm done?!" Liana grabbed his ear, tugging him away from the Pekko. "What if you'd fallen? Or been trampled?! What would Lord Garius say then?"

"Probably something about how I'm not like my perfect brothers," Javier muttered, rubbing his ear but still smirking.

The farmer laughed heartily. "He's got guts, I'll give him that."

"You're not helping!" Liana shot back, dragging Javier toward the gate.

"Ehehehe… Totally worth it," Javier said under his breath, flashing a thumbs-up to the chuckling crowd as Liana hauled him away.

( End of Chapter )