Reborn into Beast Tamer Clan with Monsters-Only Affinity-Chapter 68: Ellory’s Birthday

Axelius crept slowly beneath the shadows of the tall trees, his back low, and every step careful as he peeked around the trunk of an old oak. His eyes narrowed when he noticed something unusual—maids in neat dresses, butlers with their silver trays, and several guards dressed in polished armor were walking all over the garden paths, their movements focused and fast, like they were preparing or watching something important.

"Looks like there’s another reason why the Duke grounded you," Owen’s small voice echoed softly as he floated beside Axelius, bouncing just above the grass.

Axelius crossed his arms with a scoff and replied in a huff, "Ha! He’s using that punishment just to keep me from getting into trouble? I’m not even a troublemaker!"

Owen immediately tilted his round slime-like body and stared up at him with eyes full of doubt, not even needing to speak to show that he didn’t believe a single word. His stare alone was saying, "Really?"

"Now, let’s see what’s going on," Axelius muttered, grinning like a kid with a secret plan. He moved along the edge of the trees and snuck through bushes until he found a spot where he could see the other side of the garden clearly.

There, on the other side, was a beautiful and wide stone-paved courtyard surrounded by flowering trees, with long tables filled with delicious food—cakes stacked in layers, pies, fruits, roasted meats, and cups of tea and juice—all laid out under white silk cloth.

Nobles stood in small groups, talking softly and gracefully, each of them dressed in their best. The men wore fine coats with silver buttons and golden cuffs, while the women wore dresses that shimmered in the sun, their hair decorated with ribbons and tiny gems. They all looked clean, elegant, and very proper, not even one strand of hair out of place.

Axelius’s eyes lit up as they locked onto the tables. "Oh, food!" he whispered, his whole body almost shaking in excitement.

After looking left and right and making sure no one was looking his way, he dashed quickly toward the nearest table, crouched low behind it, and climbed up onto a chair. He lifted the bottom of his shirt like a sack and began filling it with all sorts of food—meat skewers, pastries,

and even a tiny teacup he thought looked too fancy to leave behind. He stuffed a whole bun in his mouth and chewed quickly as Owen floated beside him.

"You know... you can just go to the kitchen," Owen said with a tired sigh. "Why are you stealing someone’s food?"

Axelius answered between chews, his mouth still full, "This is from the kitchen, idiot. It’s made inside Dravenhart. Same thing."

Owen clicked his tongue, unimpressed. "You’re acting like you’ve been starved for a week."

But just then, a familiar deep voice echoed across the garden. Axelius froze mid-bite, then ducked under the table in a flash, his heart thudding fast.

"My deepest thanks to all of you for attending," said the Duke, his voice calm and noble, the kind that made people stop and listen. "Today, we celebrate a very special day—Ellory’s fifth birthday."

"Huh? Today’s her birthday?" Axelius whispered with a surprised blink, peeking from under the tablecloth.

The Duke continued, standing near a decorated flower arch, "I wanted to make this birthday grander, but Ellory wished for something more normal this year."

Axelius muttered under his breath as he stared at the guests, food, and decorations all around. "This is normal?"

It was far from normal. It was like a mini royal banquet hidden in a garden.

Just then, a small but sharp voice rang out behind him. "Hey! What are you doing stealing our food?!"

Startled, Axelius jerked up and bumped his head on the edge of the table, groaning as he stood up and looked behind him. A girl, no older than six or seven, stood there with her hands on her hips, her green eyes glaring at him. She had golden blonde hair curled neatly with ribbons, and her dress sparkled with lace and jewels. Her chin was lifted, her eyebrows narrowed—definitely a spoiled brat.

"You dwarf thief! Give back our food!" she yelled, grabbing his sleeve.

"What the!" Axelius snapped, then stomped on her foot hard.

"Ouch! My foot!" the girl screamed as she let go and crouched down with tears in her eyes.

"Don’t ever try touching me again, brat!" Axelius hissed, clutching the front of his shirt full of stolen food.

A loud clap echoed across the courtyard, signaling the end of the Duke’s speech, and without wasting a second, Axelius turned and ran as fast as he could, disappearing into the bushes. The girl, now crying and unable to run because of her foot, wailed louder.

"Young lady! Are you alright?" A maid hurried over, bending down beside her.

"There’s a dwarf thief!" the girl sobbed, pointing with a trembling hand. "He’s so small and skinny! He took our food—and he hurt me! Waaah! It hurts!"

The maid’s face darkened with worry, looking toward the table where the food was now clearly disturbed, the teacup missing, and crumbs scattered all around.

Axelius crouched behind a tall tree, snickering to himself while crumbs still clung to his mouth, wiping them with the back of his sleeve as he took another bite from a meat bun. His shoulders shook from laughter, and beside him, Owen floated with a deep frown on his face, clearly not amused.

"You really stomped on a little girl’s foot?" Owen muttered with disappointment, narrowing his eyes. "A guy shouldn’t hurt a woman, you know that?"

Axelius only grinned wider, still chewing as he leaned back against the tree trunk with a smirk on his face, that kind of expression that said he didn’t care. "Come on Owen, We already learnt the hard way in our world."

Owen agreed and still said, "Yeah, But in this world It’s different."

"I don’t play by rules, I play by survival. Genders got nothing do with it. If they grab me, they better be ready to get hit. No one’s stepping me."

Owen rolled his eyes so hard it almost looked like they’d fall out of his squishy body. "Well yeah," he said with full sarcasm, "You did slap a maid once, remember?"

Axelius laughed even harder, "She deserved it,"