CH 26

*Rainelle’s POV

“Since the video crystal ball can be used in many ways depending on how it is used, it is also an item with a lot of trading volume. But... you won’t know what is recorded until you retrieve it. The time is up to one day. If we check the time to see when it started recording, we can check who brought it, so could you please wait for a moment?"

"-Probably one of the servants. There's only a limited number of people who can freely go in and out of here."

Namuel nodded slightly as I watched them quietly. Fortunately or unfortunately, there was no CCTV-like function, but I still feel anxious.

Since when it has been here? I didn't even go near the display case where the decorations were because I thought I'd break them if I made a mistake, but it's actually hidden there.

I feel uneasy. ...I can't believe I encountered a hidden camera scene in this fantasy world. I feel disturbed. Ugh, it's like Luwellin is a pervert or something like that! It's hidden cameras! Hidden cameras!!

As my mood began to fluctuate, I felt like I'm seeing worms that were wriggling grossly. So I got out of Karmeut's arms and sat down on the perch prepared for me. Then, I tried to clear my thoughts as I slowly tidied my feathers with my beak.

Is... is it okay to stay like this? Since the video crystal ball is being inspected, won't the image of me transforming into a human or Karmeut turning into a wolf be seen? Karmeut likes me, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he would protect me. Maybe I should really find my own way to live?

It felt like my brain was slowly cooling down. So far, I was in a crow's body, so I thought 'since I get into the game, let's live with the character that I once seize and enjoy it somehow!' However, as I felt that my life was actually threatened, I felt that simple thought was dying.

Have I been swayed by the crow's instinct until now? Why do I keep myself under Karmeut's touch while thinking so carefree?

Nothing is fixed. Until when will I be able to receive Karmeut's affection? And if I can become a human, will that alone allow me to be able to stay with him?

I don't know if it was because of the video crystal ball incident, but I felt like I was looking at reality. My feathers lay flat on their own as my heated blood cooled down.

After becoming a crow and falling into this game world, I only thought, 'Wow, this is like a dream--', but it actually wasn't.

This is reality. Why didn't I realize it when the gnoll's arrow pierced my wing?

What was Karmeut thinking when he said that he could definitely protect me?

Why does he give me affection?

What did the prince think when he saw me transformed into a human being?

These were questions that could not be answered by thinking alone.  didn't want to return to my human form with this disturbing feeling.

But, if I don't return to my human form, I can't even ask a single question. As a crow, I can't speak human words.

I felt distant somewhat. Both towards Namuel, and Karmeut.

"Thank you. I'm sorry I can't give you a good compensation right now. I'll have to come up with a countermeasure now that I found out about this."

"I'm glad it's helpful."

*Karmeut's POV

Karmeut blinked slowly and focused his eyes on the crystal ball as Namuel gave a slight nod.

...I said that, but it doesn't mean that I'm not worried.

However, he did not reveal his anxiousness because it was more rational to come up with a countermeasure rather than to dwell on what had already happened.

After Namuel left the room, Karmeut let out a long sigh and massaged his temple.

...when did the surveillance start? According to Namuel's explanation, no matter how high in status someone is, that person can't just buy many magic tools that are traded at high prices.

So it would be reasonable to periodically look at the recorded video through a mage's hands and reuse them, but since there was a high possibility of getting caught, it can be guessed from this situation that the video crystal ball had only been hidden for a few days.

As Karmeut recalled Namuel's words that he had originally come to convey that he could provide other magic tools besides the necklace if necessary, Karmeut shook the bell on the table.

"Did you call, Your Highness?"

-The prince threw a cold, solemn gaze toward the chief servant who entered the room after hearing the bell.

"Put all the servants in charge of my room in the dungeon, now."

"...Yes, sir."

It was a sudden command. Moreover, the number of servants in charge of the prince's room was not small. However, the orders from the Imperial Family are absolute. The chief servant had no choice but to nod his head, as it was not enough for even ten lives to refuse the orders from someone of the Imperial Family, who were fiercely fighting for the right to succession.

The golden eyes were cold as they were staring at the chief servant, who retreated to carry out the task he had been given.

After all, no one within the Imperial Palace could be trusted absolutely, including the chief servant who faithfully obeys orders. Therefore, Karmeut injected his mana into the ring on his right index finger.

"Did you call me, My Lord?"

Karmeut's shadow grew larger. Then, a man wrapped in black cloth rose from beneath. He was kneeling on one of his knees and bowed his head in respect. While looking at the man, the prince narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth.

"Follow the footsteps of the chief servant who had just come in. Watch him carefully and carry out what I have ordered."

There was no answer. The Prince turned his gaze away without looking at him until the end, who disappeared in an instant as if he had been erased on the spot. He was a person with strong awareness. There was no need to say more than necessary to him.

"Rainelle?"

After carrying out the action that he could do for now, he sighed and looked for Rainelle. Karmeut, who was looking around for the crow that had flown over to the perch during his conversation with Namuel, furrowed his eyebrows.

"--Rainelle?"

Rainelle did not caw in reply.

The crow, who had flattened feathers, was casting her eyes aimlessly. Her purple eyes seemed foggy. They were not sparkling like the starlight.

The prince blinked slowly, perceiving an unfamiliar feeling.

She was surprised that there were hidden video crystal balls and I managed to calm her down earlier. Is her startled heart actually hasn't calmed down?

It was when he took a step forward to appease her.

Rainelle's feathers were puffed up to the fullest. And it wasn't because she was in a good mood. Had that been the case, her eyes would have twinkled and she would caw happily.

Karmeut suddenly stiffened when he felt that she was like a cat who was wary and puffing up its fur while arching its back.

Rainelle, who opened her beak while letting out a shrill cry, flew away from him. The golden eyes trembled slightly at Rainelle's behavior, who flew over to the closet like when she ran away with a Crobanlock in her mouth.

"It's all right, Rainelle. All the video crystal has been found and put away. So, come here."

With that said, Karmeut reached out to the bird that symbolize death. However, the black bird, who had approached and treated him warmly since their first meeting, turned a blind eye to him.

The crow turned her head away slowly with a distinctly different gesture from when she was sulking. The necklace around the neck of the crow was dangling slightly.

Karmeut was taken aback by Rainelle's action, but he soon regained his composure.

...Certainly, it wouldn't be nice if someone had hidden a video crystal ball and spied with it. Besides, isn't Raynell a pretty girl?

So maybe it's because she's too shaken up and can't calm her heart...

With that in mind, Karmeut withdrew his hand. He wanted to hold her in his arms and comfort her, but she refused to be near him, and he had no intention of forcing her to be near him.

She probably needs some alone time to calm down.

With that in mind, the prince slowly withdrew his hand further.

If Rainelle needed some alone time, I could wait.

Karmeut quietly backed down, thinking that he should prepare Rainelle's favorite fruits and cookies for dinner to surprise her.

...but it didn't take long for him to realize that what he had thought was wrong.

***

"Rainelle, come here."

Karmeut's voice contained nervousness, but the crow did not reply. Rather, the crow, whose purple eyes flashed as if she was wary, peeked by moving only her head slightly from on top of the closet, then turned away her head again with a small caw. Seeing this, the prince breathed out a long sigh with a heavy heart.

It was already the third day. She didn't respond to Karmeut's call, as if she was a crow who had known the touch of a human's hand. She was acting so wary and kept staying away.

When Karmeut approached her in concern, she puffed up her feathers as if she was warning him not to come closer, so he retreated. He didn't know what to do and had no choice but to stay away.

He wished that she would transform into her human form and tell him what was wrong, but Rainelle didn't do that.

Karmeut only ended up being frustrated by her act of not coming down from the closet as if he was someone who she should be cautious about.

"Rainelle, please change into human form and tell me what's wrong."

It wasn't that he couldn't guess why.

It must be because of the video crystal ball. Because Rainelle has changed since then.

...but I was hoping for Rainelle to tell me herself.

Feeling frustrated, Karmeut reached out his hand toward the crow, but he had to give up halfway as the crow cried out sharply while flapping her wings.

"Hah..."

He sighed, but it didn't relieve his heavy heart, so Karmeut shook his head listlessly.

"...I'm sorry. I'll make room for you, so just relax."

With unwilling steps, Karmeut forced himself to head to the office

...I wanted to be by her side and reassure her that things would be okay, but I didn't do that under a rational judgment that it would have the opposite effect.

However, Karmeut's face was dark because Rainelle's actions showed that she no longer believed in him.

*Rainelle’s POV

With the sound of the door closing and the sign of movement disappearing, I stuck my head out and looked around. After making sure that no one was there, I could head to the sofa in peace.

It's not Karmeut's fault. I know that. It's not that I don't know that Karmeut is also a victim. But...

A stalker had installed hidden cameras in the residence and had watched my every move. There's no way that distrust in humans didn't emerge after that.

I know in my head that it's an overreaction, but...

It feels like my nerves are sharply sharp when someone else approaches me. Somehow, it feels like my body is reacting instinctively.

And maybe I thought too much about Karmeut? But, aren't the Imperial Family killed those of the same blood to become the ruler? Most of the emperors recorded in history were like that.

Is there a guarantee that Karmeut won't do that? Crows that turn into humans should be rare, but that doesn't guarantee that they won't be thrown away.

---I might even get caught up between the fight and die.

There was a sense of crisis that was different than when dealing with dangerous animals. It seemed to be constantly warning me. That was why I couldn't be close to people.

At least until this feeling subsides, it seems that I won't be able to approach humans. Even if the other person is Karmeut.

***

*Karmeut’s POV

*Knock knock*

"Come in."

Karmeut replied like that without raising his head at the sound of the door being knocked. He could hear the sound of footsteps stepping on the soft carpet after the door was opened.

However, Karmeut did not raise his head.

In the current situation, he just wanted to think about Rainelle. All he wanted to ponder about was how to reassure her.

"Your, Your Highness."

A timid voice can be heard. Hearing that, Karmeut slowly looked up. He was faced with a female servant who looked nervous

...it's a new face.

She's obviously someone who was brought in to fill the vacancy left by the servants who were related to Luwellin.

"--what's going on? Why is a servant looking for me?"

When the cold voice reached the servant, her body flinched as if it had touched fire. She slightly chewed on her lower lip and was hesitating for a while, then she opened her mouth.

"It, it's about the crow that Your Highness has ordered to be taken care of..."

Karmeut's eyes narrowed at those words. The servant even had the illusion that she was in front of a beast as her pupils shrank. The servant felt scared, but the habit that had been engraved in her body was astounding.

'No matter what happens, you have to carry out the given task.'

Taking advantage of this habit, the servant continued her words.

"I went into Your Highness' chamber while bringing her food. But--, but I, I can't find--, the crow is nowhere to be seen."