CH 78

*Rainelle’s POV

No matter how much I thought about it, I can’t come up with anything. The fact that the original heroine appeared has not changed.

That doesn't mean I don't have to worry about it! Arghh!! Not being able to remember a single thing is such a mentally exhausting thing!

I tried to recall as much as I could. I played it years ago, so I can't remember! It seems that my IQ has dropped because I possessed a crow!! I juggled my head as much as I could and have been trying to think hard!

What was the turning point on Karmeut’s route? Um, before that, I think there was a common route to be taken?! I say it's common, but if not taken, it will end up as file 1 in the album with a bad ending: 'the main character ate well and lived well on her own~'...

I’m sure… I’m sure... Except for the hidden character, I think the common thing was to meet at a dance party---? I can't remember what has to be done and how to get on the route!!

No, it's natural to meet at a party! Everyone is an aristocrat! Miel used to be a slave, but now he is a marquis! For aristocrats, a party is natural!

Do I tell Karmeut not to attend the party? No, that’s not possible! The party is also a social site, so there are many disadvantages if he doesn’t attend!!

I heard from Madame Fangxia that a party, or a banquet, was not just a place to eat and dance. That was why I wouldn't even dare try to stop Karmeut from going. If Madame Fangxia found out about it, she might scold me to no end.

Thinking of Madame Fangxia, who was scarier than anybody else, my body trembled.

Ugh, Madame Fangxia is the scariest woman I've ever met!

That didn't mean there was a way. Because I don't know what kind of event each character had to go through to get their routes.

I might not be able to recall it because I played it a few years ago! It's not just because I became a crow!

I tried making excuses like that in my heart, but I stopped because I felt like I’m became more and more miserable.

Sniffle. The best thing is that the heroine hasn’t made any move to Karmeut, so seems to be not targeting him. She likely set either Namuel, Miel, or Galenos as her target attack... Although there is still the hidden character, I remember that the conditions for meeting him were difficult. It would have been nearly not possible to not set a target at this time.

If the heroine remembers the story, it’s one-fourth, and if she doesn't, it's one-third... Ha, my heart is burning. I'm dying of worry!!

If I was a human, I would have drunk cold water in one shot, but now I’m a crow. Besides, I can't turn into a human because I'm afraid that I'll spill things with my mouth and say worrying things.

...if I spit those words out even a little, it’s going to cause a shock, so it's not okay.

There was nothing I could do about it, so I felt like dying.

Pretending to be another extra player? It's easy to say it.

If the original female lead doesn't like me, then I’m going to get taken out. And I can't even remember how the target routes started. How do I pretend?

And most importantly!

I!! I can't even remember how Karmeut's route started!!

Aaaah!! I'm going crazy!! Huhuhu, God! If you threw me out here, shouldn't I at least be able to remember? What is this!!

‘Wow~ This is one that I have played~’ ---There's no such thing as merit! How is this different from just being suddenly thrown into this situation?! Arghhh!!

No, in the first place, I have no powers! After meeting Myrdin-nim, I signed a contract with a low-level wind spirit, but what can I do with this ability?!

I'm not saying that spirits are bad, but there is a limit to what low-level spirits can do. If I can maintain my mana, I can make her do an attack, but… judging from Mui's personality, I don't think it would be very effective---!!

It’s not like I can spy on her, and I'm not strong either...

---Aaaah, I'm so desperate... set myself as an extra? No, then I will become background character 1...

I laughed out loud with a sad tone without realizing it.

*knock, knock, knock*

I fell from the perch at the sudden knocks

What, what?!

"Co, come in."

Then the door opened and the maid came in. She bowed politely to me and said,

"Rainelle-nim. A letter has arrived."

"Letter?"

Who is it this time? Is it Miel? Or Namuel? No, I saw Namuel a while ago---?

I carefully received the envelope from the maid. When I checked the sender, I had to do my best not to throw the envelope away on the spot.

Gwynell von Adriana.

Well, if it's Gwynell---! Count Gwynell! But Count Gwynell will never send me a letter! Adriana sounds like a woman's name, so the person who sent this is Countess Gwynell or---!!

Screaming silently inside, the urge to tear the letter to shreds, set it on fire, and then blow the ashes into the wind, rose up.

Ah, no! First of all, let's read the contents first---!!

I opened the letter and read the contents. There was a bit of rhetoric, but what was conveyed was simple.

That the sender wants to drink tea with me.

...but, at the bottom line, it means she wants to meet me and talk! Aaaaaaaa!!

"---Rainelle-nim?"

I couldn't hear the maid's voice calling me with concern.

Okay! Let's hide it!! I’m hiding it!! If I hide it, it becomes something I haven't seen, so it will never happen! I don't know if I'm talking bullshit right now, but let's hide it for now!!

I turned my head slightly and changed into my crow form. Fortunately, the envelope didn’t weigh much and I was able to fly while holding it.

I hurriedly flew and took the envelope to the top of the closet. I placed the envelope in the very as much as possible by kicking it with my feet.

Done! It’s hidden!! Now I haven't seen it!!

I could feel a puzzled gaze clinging to me, but I ignored it and just began to take care of my feathers with my beak.

Oh, there’s no problem! I didn't see it I didn't see it, ah ah ah ah---

***

*Karmeut’s POV

Upon receiving a report of what had happened to Rainelle from her maid, Karmeut had no choice but to put his hand over his mouth to suppress his laughter.

The person who gave the letter also saw her receive it, but she hid it on top of the closet. Did she think that doing so would make the letter not seen by anyone?

She seemed clever, but on the other hand, the maid was also baffled by her very irregular behavior, so the maid could not control her expression in front of the Emperor himself. She actually deserved a reprimand, but Karmeut pretended not to know.

It is understandable. A crow that can turn into a human hates her letter and hides it in the corner. What a fun and cute act.

After letting the bewildered maid leave, Karmeut fell into thoughts.

She said that the letter was sent by Count Gwynell's daughter. If it’s Young Lady Gwynnell...

Didn’t she attempt suicide not long ago?

But other than that, there's nothing special about her. She has no personal affiliation with Rainelle, nor had anything to associate with. Even at the tea party, it was said she never had a personal conversation with Rainelle.

The question was not answered. But it seemed that the reason for Rainelle's strange behavior was looking brighter, so Karmeut stood up from her seat.

***

*Rainelle’s POV

"Rainelle."

I was puzzled by Karmeut who returned earlier than usual. But that didn't mean I wasn't happy, so I quickly flew over and sat on his shoulder.

A hand caressing my cheek soon came. It was a pleasant feeling whenever I felt that touch, so I naturally put a smile on my face.

"Did you get a letter today? To you."

...but his next words made me let out a strange cry. It was the first time I knew that crows would make such a ridiculous sound when they were really surprised, but anyway, I was surprised! Very surprised!

"Caw, caw, caw? (How can that be?)"

I forgot that I am a crow now and cawed. Still, guessing what I was saying, Karmeut laughed lowly and opened his mouth,

"I'm the Emperor. There's no way things inside the Imperial Palace won't reach my ears."

That's right... No, I'm surprised.

Karmeut continued to laugh. When he finally became quiet and just smiled, he opened his mouth while tapping my beak,

"Hiding it above the closet doesn't mean the letter is gone, Rainelle. Don't you understand that?"

I know! I know, but there are things I want to avoid!! It’s stupid and crazy, but I want to look away, close my eyes, cover my ears, and pretend I don't know!

I tried to somehow avoid Karmeut's gaze as I turned my head around, but he guessed that and so, he grabbed my torso.

Then I felt a cold sweat dripping due to the golden eyes that were fixed on me.

"...you don’t like meeting Young Lady Gwynell?"

No, it's not that I don’t like it. It's... I think it's too much for me. What can I say... Anyway, uh, um, umm...

I moved my eyes around together with my head. Actually, it is true that I do not want to meet her. The hand on my cheek slid to my tummy while I was in my thoughts.

Hahaha! That tickles!

As he smirked and chuckled, Karmeut gently bent his eyes. Then he took me in his arms and stroked my head. He said,

"If you don't like her, then don't meet her. Unless you want to, that Young Lady Gwynell won't be able to meet you."

As if that was the truth, he said it resolutely, so it put my heart at ease.

‘The choice is always on you. So you don't have to worry.’

...I couldn't help but feel so reassured. I was so grateful for that.

And he seemed to shine even more brightly, so I couldn't look straight at him.

"Thank you, Karmeut."

I transformed into a human and expressed my gratitude. I was held in his arms because I transformed while still being in his arms, but I got used to this.

"I don't think it's something to thank me for, is it?"

"Thank you though. I feel grateful, so I'm saying thank you."

Karmeut laughed a little at those words and whispered in a soft voice,

“If you’re really thankful, I would rather have you express it with actions, not words."

"...actions?"

Karmeut nodded his head, then he smiled and looked at me like he was expecting something.

...wait, please. Haa, but Karmeut's gaze is... it’s that, isn’t it?

Karmeut's act of tapping his lips with his finger, this time with high expectations, was so blatant now. The person would understand what he meant no matter how ignorant that person was.

Khhhh, but it's clear that he solved the problem... It's because he gives me strong support...

It took an awful lot of courage for me to kiss Karmeut's cheek first.

Of course, I'm not saying I don't like it! I can't hate it! But apart from that, it takes courage!

First of all, it's embarrassing to show affection to someone you like! No, I like him, but I haven't confessed yet, so---! I’m more and more---! Embarrassed!!

Still, I couldn't turn away from the golden eyes that were shining brightly with expectation. I had no more courage to look at his eyes that would be stained with disappointment if I turn away, so I had to make up my mind.

I put my hands on Karmeut's shoulder and hesitated. His golden eyes, gleaming with anticipation, narrowed and curved. It was a little annoying, but I couldn't hate it as it seemed to show that he was looking forward to it.

Gently, very lightly, I brought her lips to his. I hurriedly moved my head away as I felt the heat rushing to my face at the smooth skin that touched the tip of my lips and the scent of his body.

"Is that, okay?"

Arghh---!! I can't even see Karmeut's face---!! No matter how much Karmeut wanted it, I'll get embarrassed! It's only Karmeut and me here, but I'm still embarrassed! Arghh!

Karmeut did not answer for a long time.

...uh, huh? He, he doesn't like it? Did I do it too lightly? Or he wanted a kiss instead of a peck---?!!

"...Uh?!"

In the next moment, I was suddenly hugged by him and I struggled for a moment.

Um, I’m already in a hugging posture, but I'm still going to be surprised when you hug me suddenly like that!

"-I didn’t expect you to really do it."

I stopped at the soft, slightly quivering voice that reached my ear.

No, you didn't expect me to do it? ...wow! Didn't you make the obvious gesture?!

"I’m glad, Rainelle."

But all my thoughts went away. Karmeut, who smiled brightly, seemed to be expressing happiness with his whole body.

As if he was really overjoyed, Karmeut, who was smiling with red cheeks, kissed me on the cheek.

It didn’t end at that. He kissed my other cheek, forehead, eyes, nose, and lips.

Was it just me? Maybe it was because of the golden eyes? But it seemed like honey was dropping from those eyes.

"I'm really happy. Seriously."

As he said that, he hugged me again and buried his face in my shoulder, making my chest tingly and warm. Feeling the corners of my lips rising, I also buried my face in his shoulder in order not to be seen.

Yeah, let's meet the original heroine. I don't know why she wants to meet me, but once we meet, I'll know her intentions.