Chapter 1635: A Jar, a Tail, and Two Chocolate Bars ( 1635 )

Outside the portable building, on the wide veranda, Fransesca sat at a long wooden table set for ten. Her legs were crossed elegantly at the knee, one hand holding a cup of hot coffee, the other arm resting across her stomach. She smiled, watching the scene unfold before her.

Buddy stopped in an instant, blinking into place with his usual smug expression. His chest was puffed out, his head held high.

Behind him, Felicia, Delya, Mimi, Gracelle, Celine, and Lyzia tumbled down onto the sand, their hair ruined, their pajamas and dresses whipped around from the speed.

"Cuquawked~ Cuquawked!" (Alright, witches~ We arrived!)

Mimi hopped onto her feet and patted down her pajamas with a bright grin.

"Nyahahaha! That was fun, nya! Let’s do it again!"

"Absolutely not!" Felicia snapped, pushing herself up and trying to smooth her tangled hair.

"I think my stomach is still spinning," Gracelle mumbled, her face pale.

"I lost my chocolate!" Delya sobbed, her dreamy smile finally cracking as she searched the sand for her fallen jar.

Celine sat up slowly, her pajamas covered in sand, her pink hair a tangled mess. She let out a quiet, defeated sigh.

Lyzia pushed herself up, spitting sand from her mouth. "I hate that bird," she muttered under her breath. "I really, really hate that bird."

Buddy walked with his usual smug, proud gait. Then he stopped. His head turned. His eyes landed on Fransesca seated at the table, and his entire demeanor shifted.

He lowered his head slowly, craning his neck in a gesture of deep respect. His beak dipped low, and he let out a soft, reverent squawk.

"Cuquawked~" (Good morning, Oh Radiant One. The light of your presence graces this humble pekko more than the sun itself. I hope this morning finds you in the best of health and the highest of spirits.)

Fransesca smiled, her eyes warm and knowing. She lifted her coffee cup and took a slow sip before setting it down.

"Good morning, Buddy. It seems you’ve been keeping everyone entertained."

Buddy straightened his head slightly, his chest still puffed with pride.

"Cuquawked~" (I do my best, Oh Radiant One~)

Buddy flinched hard. His entire body went rigid, his head snapping toward his back. Delya stood behind him, her small hands gripping his tail feathers tightly. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her lips trembling, her cheeks flushed with distress.

"Buddy..." she sobbed softly, her voice cracking. "My chocolate jar... it’s gone... because of you... it’s your fault... you made me drop it... Now find my chocolate jar and bring it back!"

Buddy swallowed hard, a visible gulp rippling down his long neck. He let out a nervous, placating squawk, his voice wavering slightly.

"Cu... cuquawked..." (C... calm down, horn witch...)

He glanced down at her hands, still gripping his tail feathers, and his voice turned more urgent.

"Cuquawked... Cuquawked..." (There’s no need to pluck my tail... I don’t think the chocolate jar is still around... not after the speed we were going...)

Delya’s grip tightened. Buddy flinched, flapping his wing in panic, his feathers ruffling.

"Cuquawked! Cuquawked!" (O... oi! That old jar wasn’t even that nice anyway! It was chipped! And there wasn’t much chocolate left in it! You were almost out!)

Delya pulled harder. Buddy let out a panicked squawk, his head whipping toward her, his voice rising in desperation.

"Cuquawkedddd!! Cuquawkeddddd!" (Chill, horn witch!!! I’ll ask Master! I’ll ask him for a new chocolate jar! A bigger one! A more beautiful one! With all your favorite chocolates! Every kind you like! I promise! Just please stop pulling my tail!)

Delya’s lips pursed into a small pout. She glanced up at Buddy, her eyes still shimmering, her voice soft and trembling.

"Promise?"

Buddy narrowed his eyes, his beak curling into a flat line. He let out a low, reluctant squawk.

"Cuquawked... Cuquawked!" (Promise... now let my tail go!)

Delya’s grip tightened instead of loosening. Her small fingers dug deeper into his tail feathers, her pout deepening.

Buddy’s eyes widened. He let out a sharp, indignant squawk of protest, his wings flapping once in panic.

"Cuquawked! Cuquawked!" (Fine! I’ll ask Master right now!)

He craned his neck toward the portable building, his beak opening wide. He let out a series of loud, relentless squawks, each one sharper and more urgent.

"Cuquawkedddd!! Cuquawkedddd!! Cuquawkedddd!!" (Master!!! Master!!! There’s a crazy horn witch here!!! She’s going to pluck my tail bald if you don’t come out right now!!!)

He paused, tilting his head toward the building, listening. Nothing. No response. No sign of Javier. His feathers bristled with growing panic.

"Cuquawkeddddd!!" (Masterrrr!!! I’m serious!!! She’s not letting go!!!)

The front door of the portable building swung open. Liana stepped outside, her silver hair catching the morning light. She tilted her head in confusion, her gaze sweeping across the veranda before landing on Buddy at a short distance away, squawking nonstop, and noticed a small pair of feet standing behind him, hidden between his talons.

She shook her head slowly, turned toward Fransesca, and bowed gracefully. Fransesca raised her palm to her lips, stifling a laugh, her shoulders shaking gently.

Liana walked toward Buddy, her steps calm and unhurried. Buddy paused mid-squawk, his head snapping toward her. Liana glanced up at him, her voice calm and curious.

"What’s wrong, Buddy?"

Buddy’s wings flapped frantically as he squawked, his head bobbing with each sound, his whole body moving in agitation.

"Cuquawked!? Cuquawked!? Cuquawkeddd!" (What’s wrong!? What’s wrong!? This crazy horn witch grabbed my tail! She’s been pulling it! She won’t let go! She says it’s my fault her chocolate jar gone! I told her I’d ask Master for a new one, but she won’t release me! Do something about her!)

Liana smiled softly. She stepped around to Buddy’s right side and saw Delya, her small hands still wrapped tightly around his tail feathers. Liana reached into her pocket, drew out a small beautiful box, and opened it. Inside were two chocolate bars, wrapped in delicate foil.

"Delya~"

She held the box toward her.

"These are two chocolates Young Master made. One is dark caramel with sea salt. The other is white chocolate with strawberry. Both delicious."

Delya’s pout faltered. Her eyes widened, her grip on Buddy’s tail loosening slightly.

"After Young Master comes out," Liana continued, her smile soft and reassuring, "we’ll ask him for a new chocolate jar. A big one. And we’ll fill it with all your favorite chocolates. Every kind you like. Okay~?"

( End Of Chapter )