I, Reincarnate as the Leader of the Villainous Knight Order - Chapter 176: Justin’s Cookies

Chapter 176: Justin’s Cookies

(Note: Special for this chapter, dialogues in telepathic are written in this bracket: ‘………’.)

When I thought I heard a voice echo in my mind, I felt an impact on my back.

This sensation—even felt nostalgic.

“Jest!?”

‘Yup! Orel told me it’s definitely okay now since you’re on land. So I came!’

“I see. You managed to teleport properly. Good job. Come here.”

Saying that while holding my arms out, Jest flapped his wings and settled into my arms.

‘Ehehe, it’s Justin~’

Seeing Jest happily nuzzle his cheek against my chest made my cheeks relax.

Then I noticed how quiet it had gotten around me.

“My apologies. My contracted dragon familiar teleported to see me.”

‘Was I not supposed to come?’

Jest looked up from my arms worriedly. Perhaps because I apologized.

“It’s fine. I’m happy because I wanted to see you too.”

“So… you can smile like that…”

The first one to speak was Aria. She had just pulled her mouth away from the meat skewer she was biting into.

When I looked her way, her eyes were wide open. She was completely frozen as if she’d seen a monster.

How rude.

“No, wait, that’s not the point! A dragon!? Is that really a dragon!?”

“Ah! Now that you mention it, how can a dragon be this cute!? This is my first time seeing a real one!!”

Felix and Aria started making a fuss. But somehow, their reactions had slightly different meanings.

Their reactions were also very telling—Felix backed away. While Aria leaned in as if trying to peer closer.

Jest was surprised by Aria’s behavior. He hugged me tightly as if trying to hide his face.

However, since Ernest and Clarisse had seen Jest several times before, they didn’t look surprised.

They already knew Jest and Jeanne could use teleportation magic too.

“Jest, right now I’m guarding Princess Clarisse and her fiancé, Crown Prince Felix. Will you cling to my back, or will you take human form and walk with us?”

‘I’ll walk with you!’

Jest responded cheerfully. He then let out a chirp that was the spell for human transformation.

A weight grew in my arms. And when I blinked, the face of Hinata was right before me.

When I set Jest down on the cobblestone path, he naturally grabbed my hand.

“……” “……”

Because it was their first time seeing a dragon and also human transformation magic, Felix and Aria froze in silence.

“Commander Vandière, you should eat quickly. It’ll get cold. Or should we buy one for Jest as well?”

Breaking the silence was Ernest. He prioritized the role of knight during the escort by calling me by my title.

Despite all the noise from Felix and Aria, he had neatly finished his skewer.

Oh, looking closer, Clarisse also finished hers.

Didn’t expect this pair of siblings to be so carefree.

“Good idea… Jest, do you want a meat skewer?”

I already ate one yesterday. So if Jest wanted one, I’d give him mine.

I asked him. But Jest shook his head.

“Nope. Umm, if you have them… I want Justin’s cookies.”

Seeing Jest smile bashfully like that, of course my hand moved to the magic bag at my waist.

When I handed him a wrapped portion, Jest bounced in joy.

“Yay! It’s been so long since I had Justin’s cookies!”

Watching Jest happily munching on the cookies, I also bit into my meat skewer.

It had cooled just enough to be easy to eat.

“Hey, didn’t he just say ‘Justin’s cookies’? That’s your name, right? Don’t tell me those cookies…”

“If you don’t eat quickly, the meat will cool and become tough.”

“Ah—!”

I interrupted Aria’s unnecessary comment and warned her. It made her panic and start eating.

Only then did Felix notice that Clarisse had already finished her skewer. He then started eating as well.

The quality was probably lower than what they usually eat. But, eating out like this makes it taste special.

Felix’s glowing expression said it all.

“Munch munch… gulp. This is… simple, but delicious!”

While glancing at Jest, Felix spoke to Clarisse.

Aria also seemed interested in Jest. But her eyes were glued to the cookies.

Jest and my subordinates barely have enough for themselves. So I’m not giving you any.

I’m sure even now, someone like Simon is peeking enviously at Jest from the shadows.

I should tell Jest not to spoil Simon too much.

Kind-hearted Jest was also aware of Aria’s gaze.

“Want one?”

Jest offered a cookie to Aria, who had finished her meat skewer.

“Can I!?”

“Yeah! Justin’s cookies are yummy! I love them!”

“…Mmm! Mmmmm! These are just as good as the cookies my master gave me! So tasty!”

I’m glad she praised them. But if Felix and the others get interested too, that’d be a problem.

Of course, they wouldn’t accept it from a childlike Jest. But their curiosity was all over their faces.

All I could do was pretend not to notice.

“Hooh… I had heard that Commander Vandière is skilled with the sword. But your baking skills are impressive too.”

“Not at all. Compared to what His Highness Felix usually eats, this is nothing but amateur work.”

Interpreting Felix’s words, it was clear he was interested and wanted to try one.

But if I gave one carelessly, it could lead to trouble later.

I tried my best to dodge Felix’s subtle hints. But by the next morning, I only found out that Aria had made plans with Jest to play together.