CH 93

*Rainelle’s POV

The place where the crow flew to was a large plaza. I was a little uneasy because the direction was different from the way to Aria's manor.

But in the worst case, I can just go to the Imperial Palace and start again. Yeah!

I landed near the crow that perched on the roof near the large open plaza. Of course, our distance was a bit wide. The action caused the crow to puff its feathers slightly, but then it brought them down.

"Caaw. Caaw? (Look at that. Pretty, huh?)"

When it said that while turning its gaze to the center of the plaza, I also looked that way.

Was it supposed to be like a plaza in the capital of the Empire? It was very neatly organized. Roads and buildings were constructed with smooth, polished stones. And in the center of the large plaza, there was a large fountain where water was rushing out.

A lot of people were coming and going there. Flower sellers, snack sellers, men in armor, and even little children. Seeing countless diverse people walking around made it seem even more lively, probably because of the close-up view.

Unlike the Imperial Palace, the unique vitality that can be felt when there were many people seemed to seep into my body, so I feel better.

Above all, the water droplets gushing out of the large fountain were very pretty. Maybe it was because it was in the right place, a rainbow slightly appeared, which was very impressive.

I feel like I'm in a fantasy world.

Of course, until now, I have experienced things like magic and divine power1. However, those only happened in the Imperial Palace or when I was next to Karmeut.

It was a new feeling to watch the place where many people came and went in such a wide open space, even though I only watched from the roof.

I've been out with Namuel before, but I was too busy choosing Karmeut’s gift then.

"Caaw. (Cool.)"

"Caw? Caaw, caaw. (Right? There are a lot of humans right now, so it's a bit difficult to go down, but there's a lot to drink and eat.)"

The crow said so with its chest out as if proud.

I looked at the plaza.

Obviously, it would be hard to find a place as good as this from a crow's point of view. Since there is a fountain, you can drink water which is the most essential thing. And there are a lot of things that can be eaten, so if you look closely, you will be able to find food easily.

"Caaw. (I see.)"

"Caaw. (It would be better if there were no humans.)"

I turned to the crow, who blatantly showed its contempt for humans. The crow's gaze was so intense while it was looking down. It also grinds its beak as if it really hates humans, so I shrank back without realizing it.

"Caaw. (I'm not mad at you.)"

The crow, who crept up to me with a soft cry, glued itself to my body. I jumped at the action and took a few steps to the side.

Then the crow snapped its beak in dissatisfaction, but then it tilted its head and asked,

"Caaw? (Are you hungry?)"

...I guess it thought that I'm being sharp because I'm hungry. Or maybe it’s trying to get food for a female to get closer.

Either way, it was a mere illusion. So I shook my head and responded,

"Caw. (Nope.)"

"Caw? (No?)"

"Caaw. (Yes, no.)"

Then the crow... Ah, really, I keep saying crow, crow, and crow. I'm not sure if I should continue to call him ‘the male crow’.

Should I ask its name?

"Caw, caaw? (Hey, can I ask you something?)

"Caw? (What?)"

"Caaw? (What's your name?)"

Hearing that, the crow's expression turned ugly at once, and its feathers were flattened to its body.

I was surprised by its attitude. It was because the crow's gaze was filled with displeasure and anger as it looked at me as if it was really offended.

"Caw? Caaw caaw? (Name? Do you think I'm a weakling who gets food and a place to sleep by showing affection towards humans?)"

The crow's threatening behavior of inflating its feathers and clacking its beak made me shrink my neck.

But this time, perhaps it was really angry, the crow did not ease up its threatening attitude.

"Caaw, caaw! Caaw! Caaw! (Even though it’s not seen well by humans, I'm strong! I'm strong enough to be able to get food, get a sleeping place, and take care of myself! I'm not that weak of a male!)"

"Caaw! (I never said you are weak!)"

"Caaw! Caw caaw! Caaw! (All birds with names are weak! They live in cages, are helpless, and only eat food! They are soft and weak because they have no muscles!)"

...as soon as I heard that, I got angry.

If that’s the case, I should live inside a cage as I’m under human care?

Looking at the crow's attitude and tone that screamed “I'm that strong!”, I replied with a sharp cry,

"Caw. (I have a name.)"

"---Caw? (---What?)"

I slightly suppressed my anger at the sight of the crow who opened its eyes wide and beak slightly open.

I had felt how crows were treated. How could I forget the gaze of the servants who couldn't hide their dislike no matter if I was the prince's, Karmeut’s bird,? I had even thought if it would be better if I live in the wild.

Still, I'm a crow with a human soul, so I can understand its reason.

Still, this is getting me annoyed.

"Caaw, caaw. Caaw. (I don't live in a cage, I can fly freely with my wings. I like my name.)"

At that, the crow stayed still with a vacant look.

It was so funny that I forgot that I was angry and wanted to burst out laughing instead.

Judging by that reaction, it doesn’t get what I'm saying.

It was a really dumb look that I wanted to laugh out loud, but I thought it would get angry if I did so, so I held back.

"Caaw, caaw. Caw, caaw. (I asked because I didn't know what to call you, but I'm sorry that I’m a crow who lives with a human. You won’t like it, so I'll go.)"

"Caw, caw!!

(Now, wait a minute!!)"

I had spread my wings and tried to fly to get to Aria’s manor. But then the crow hurriedly blocked my way, so I couldn't fly.

"Caaw? Caaw? (Living with a human? But not in a cage?)"

"Caaw. (The person I live with is a good person.)

Of course, you can't even imagine how good it is!

While I thought like that, the crow tilted its head as it puffed out its chest and inflated its feathers. Disbelief and doubt were mixed in its black eyes.

Well, if I try to explain, it will never understand anyway, so let's just not explain it. This type won't admit it without experiencing it themselves.

"Caw, caw. Caaw. Caaw. (This place, it's good. But I’m done sightseeing. I have a place to go.)"

"Caaw? (Where do you have to go?)"

"Caaw. Caaw. (The house over there. I have to meet the human who lives there.)"

"Caaw? (The human that raises you is living in that house?)

"Caw. Caaw. (No. But it’s a friendly human.)"

The crow's expression distorted grotesquely at the word ‘friendly’. Turning a blind eye to that, I spread my wings.

I was a little curious about what food the crow was going to get, but I could imagine it without difficulty. And, compared to eating at the Imperial Palace, the food was not guaranteed in terms of hygiene.

If I eat wrong, I can get a stomach ache. So, even if the crow is giving me something, I shouldn't eat it. Of course, I can eat it if it’s tree fruit.

Thinking like that, I started flying towards Aria's manor.

...But, the crow’s action of flying immediately after me made me sigh.

---Why do you keep chasing me? Sure, you courted me, but... I obviously refused. Besides, the timing is not right! You gotta prepare for the winter! What are you doing wooing a female?!

I flapped my wings strongly while ignoring the one who followed me.

While I'm at it, I'll call Mui. I’m flying close to where people live, so why not be careful?

Soon after, Mui appeared with a burst of laughter. I smiled at Mui's actions of circling around me, then I flew to Aria’s manor at a faster speed.

Letter! I need to deliver a letter! A letter to Namuel!!

***

"Rainelle! Welcome!"

When I knocked on the window with my beak, Aria greeted me with a bright smile. When I glanced back, the crow was sitting on a nearby roof without coming into the manor area.

I think it’s going to give up and go…

I entered the room and changed into a human figure.

"What is it, Aria? You look so much happier than usual?"

"Do I look like that? Really? Really?"

"...Uh huh. You look really happy. Aren’t you?"

Aria's eyes curved at those words. Her lips twitched and it gave off the feeling that she was dying to say something.

"---What is it? What good thing happened?"

"Good thing? This is something that can't be said as a mere good thing!!"

Aria, who was so excited that she even snorted, clenched her fists while saying that. Then she continued her words as she grabbed my hand and dragged me almost to one side of the room.

"Hehehe, I have something to show you! Ha ha, this, really---!!"

Overwhelmed by her emotions, Aria, who was struggling to speak, rushed to the dressing table. Then she came back holding something like a jewelry box very, very dearly.

"...? A box?"

"Inside... Voila! It's in there!!"

When Aria opened the box, I had no choice but to open my mouth in amazement. It was because a surprising thing was in the box.

A fruit that sparkled like a jewel. A familiar scent that I'd tasted before reached my nose. The only difference was that I didn't have the urge to eat it for no reason like I did back then.

"Huh?! A Crobanlock?!"

"Yeah! It's Crobanlock, Crobanlock!! Genuine!!"

"How did you get this?! How can you just get it?!"

"You can’t believe it? I don't believe it either!"

Crobanlock was precious enough that I understood why Aria was so excited.

It's almost like seeing someone winning the lottery! How can this be?!

"It's really ridiculous. It's so ridiculous that I want to laugh out loud... but I get this Crobanlock according to the original story."

"---Wow, really? Things went the way it was originally written?"

"Yeah, how surprised I was when the Count, I mean, my Father, had got the Crobanlock. So I acted cute in front of him."

Aria's expression went ugly when she said the ‘acted cute’ part. Playfulness welled up inside me when I see that.

“So, how did you act cute?”

"...don't ask me that. Please."

"Hey, I'm curious."

“I will use my right to remain silent.”

I puffed up my cheeks at those words, but Aria was stubborn.

Well, I'm very curious, but if I make a mistake, I might end up flicking her switch, so I will stop here!

“Then you only have to give the Crobanlock as a present?”

"That’s right, but..."

"---Is there a problem?"

"Ummm... I indeed got Crobanlock in line with the original story, but I don't seem to have accumulated enough favorability."

Aria, who shrugged her shoulders as she said so, added:

"It’s a real-life battle, don’t you think it’s right to be careful? It's not going to be so easy to target Namuel, who has the highest level of difficulty, and make him my man."

"...Your eyes are burning, Aria."

"Oh oh."

I looked at Aria, who coughed while managing her expression.

Seriously, people shouldn't be fooled by outward appearance. How can her expression be like that? She's wearing a mask. A mask, I tell you. The good news is that this weirdo(?) is set on Namuel.

"Oh. Do you remember that crow back then? The crow that attacked me."

"---Of course! Did you meet that crow again?!"

"Yeah. But you know... it’s a male crow."

"Huh?! So a male attacked you?! What’s with---!!"

"There must have been a territorial fight in preparation for the winter. The males are usually friendly to females."

"Hmm?"

Aria's eyes lit up with interest. She then asked a question,

"So? So? Did that crow woo you?"

"...that crow did court me out of the blue."

"Oh, oh my, oh my? …Huh? But now it's early autumn, so why did it woo you? Isn’t it the wrong time?"

"That's what I’m saying. Why is it courting me when it's not even breeding season? Why?"

After hearing me grumbling like that, Aria opened her mouth with a big smile on her face,

"Hmm? Maybe Rainelle just looked so cute in the crow's eyes? Maybe that’s why it courted you? Before another male took you away?"

"Ha?"

"Ah, so you're still that good in crows’ eyes? It's because Rainelle is so pretty. You sinful woman!"

I was silent at Aria’s wink as she said that.

---I like being pretty, but I don’t like being popular with crows! So don't smirk like that!!

***

Notes:

1  Divine power: If you forget, it’s something used by the healers↩