Episode 22
“Well. Since we’re both hiding our identities like commoners, it would be best if you didn’t address me as ‘Duke.’”
“My apologies. That was thoughtless of me.”
“It’s fine as long as you understand. Then, I’ll just have a short chat with Sylvia…”
Just then, Cesar cut off the Crown Prince and blocked his path.
“It seems you’re here incognito. I believe we’ve interrupted you. It would be best if you went back to what you were doing.”
Cesar was indirectly telling him to leave Sylvia alone. But the Crown Prince, seemingly accustomed to such remarks, retorted,
“I am here incognito, but I also have business with Sylvia today.”
“What business do you have with her?”
“Do I have to tell you that as well, Duke? I don’t believe my status is so low or my relationship with Sylvia so distant that I have to report everything I do to you.”
As tension filled the air, I watched them, frozen like a doll. Amidst the strange atmosphere, Sylvia, seemingly unfamiliar with the Crown Prince’s sharp demeanor, called out to him.
“…Your Highness?”
The Crown Prince then spoke to Sylvia in a surprisingly smooth and gentle voice.
“Sylvia. As I told the Duke, calling me ‘Your Highness’ is a bit inconvenient right now. So call me Aaron.”
“Pardon? How could I dare call you Aaron…”
Sylvia hesitated, but at the Crown Prince’s urging, she parted her lips. Her gaze was already fixed on him.
‘He’s the Crown Prince, the male lead, alright. He’s completely ignoring Cesar.’
If they ended up going together like this, things would surely follow the original story. Sighing briefly, I deliberately flew between Aaron and Sylvia, flapping my wings.
“Oh, Lily? What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“Chirp?”
‘Sick?’
Sylvia’s unexpected question gave me an idea.
I stopped flapping my wings and slowly flew to her. And I replied in my characteristically pathetic voice,
“…Beep.”
‘Yes. I’m sick. It’s an invisible, imaginary kind of sickness, but I think I’m sick.’
“Oh dear, Lily.”
Despite my obvious fake performance, Sylvia looked at me with genuine concern.
The Crown Prince, having already seen through my act, frowned and glared at me. But perhaps because he couldn’t criticize me for feigning illness while Sylvia was worried, Aaron just clicked his tongue, his expression suggesting he had one more annoyance to deal with.
“I apologize. Your High… No, Aaron. I think Lily ate something bad.”
“Then, I’ll go with you…”
“It’s alright. I’m Lily’s owner, so I’ll look after her with Sylvia.”
His piercing gaze stung.
I narrowed my eyes, leaning against Sylvia, and met the Crown Prince’s gaze. He was looking at me with a murderous glint in his eyes.
‘Yes. I should definitely avoid the Imperial Palace from now on.’
I pretended to be oblivious and closed my eyes again until the Crown Prince was gone.
As soon as his persistent gaze disappeared, I breathed a sigh of relief.
‘I shouldn’t act like this again. I might get killed by another male lead instead of Cesar if I’m not careful.’
I inwardly shed tears for my precarious life and opened my eyes, intending to move. But Cesar wouldn’t let me go.
“Where does it hurt? The book didn’t tell me how to deal with a sick bird…”
“Beep?”
‘His reaction is strange. He called me out for faking it before, but why is he so easily fooled now?’
“We should go back to the mansion.”
‘Go back to the mansion? You’re sending me back alone, right? You’re not planning on going back together, are you? That would ruin my plan!’
“Beep!”
‘I’m fine, I’m completely fine. So don’t say we should go back!’
I flapped my wings vigorously and flew around Cesar. Seeing me fly around energetically again, Sylvia spoke to him.
“Cesar. How is Lily? Is she really okay?”
“…It seems like she was faking it.”
“What? Faking it?”
“Chirp.”
‘Yes. I was just faking it. So don’t go back!’
Thinking it was better to admit to feigning illness, I agreed with Cesar. He didn’t mention going back to the mansion again.
Although his gaze felt a little piercing.
Feeling the surroundings darken, I tugged on Cesar’s sleeve with my beak to lead them to the plaza. He seemed to understand what I wanted and quietly said to Sylvia,
“I apologize, but it seems Lily wants to go somewhere.”
“I’m fine. Let’s go where Lily wants to go.”
“Beep…!”
‘Yes! Follow me. This is where you would have gone with the Crown Prince, but I chased him away.’
Like a guide, I led them to the place I had seen in the novel.
It was a place with soft music playing and dim lighting enhancing the atmosphere, a perfect setting for romance. Thanks to the detailed descriptions in the novel, it was easy to find.
I smiled with satisfaction, guiding them to the perfect place for the male and female leads to fall in love.
By the time we arrived, men and women had gathered, forming pairs and dancing to the music. Sylvia would have been dancing among them with the Crown Prince, but her partner had changed.
I puffed out my chest with pride, looking at the plaza. Sylvia, seemingly pleased with the place, spoke in a slightly excited voice,
“The music is lovely.”
“Beep.”
‘I know. You said the same thing while leading the Crown Prince here in the novel.’
In the novel, the protagonists, perfectly in sync, held hands and danced. And Cesar silently watched. There was no place for him in their perfect world.
‘But it’s different now.’
I quietly let go of Cesar’s sleeve and fluttered over to Sylvia’s shoulder.
Perched on her shoulder, I chirped.
“Chirp.”
‘Ask Sylvia to dance. I even chased away the Crown Prince and created this opportunity for you.’
To be honest, there was no guarantee that this would make Sylvia fall for Cesar.
Still, if the people Sylvia encountered in key locations changed little by little, perhaps fate could be subtly altered. Even if it was hopeless, I decided to do everything I could.
But Cesar remained silent. Frustrated by his hesitation, I flapped my wings impatiently.
“Beep!”
‘What are you doing! Are you just going to stare until the music ends?’
The melody filling the plaza was sweet, and the gentle breeze was perfect for romance. I didn’t understand his hesitation.
Just as I was wondering if I should tug on Cesar’s sleeve again and force him to take Sylvia’s hand, something unexpected happened.
Sylvia reached out to Cesar first. A lovely smile bloomed on her face, and a sweet, melting voice flowed out.
“Cesar, would you like to dance?”
At her words, he took Sylvia’s hand. And they began to dance together, matching each other’s rhythm.
They looked like a perfect couple, their movements flowing naturally with the beautiful melody.
I quickly climbed down from Sylvia’s shoulder and quietly watched, not wanting to disturb them. A scene from the novel, created by the protagonists whose beauty couldn’t be hidden even by their simple clothes, was unfolding before my eyes.
“Beep.”
‘What a surprise. Sylvia took the initiative.’
It was unexpected, but a good sign. I could see a glimmer of hope that the predetermined fate could be changed.
I shook my tense body and looked around. It seemed like I could finally relax and enjoy the festival.
“Beeeep, Chirp.”
A cheerful chirp escaped me reflexively. The music made me feel at ease. It felt like this place would become a cherished memory for me, too.
I hopped around near the flowerbeds, moving to the rhythm of the music, careful not to get lost in the crowd.
If I got lost, Cesar would surely make a fuss looking for me again.
“Chirp.”
‘I should just wait quietly and behave.’
I tilted my head nonchalantly, waiting for the dance to end. Then, I saw beautiful flowers blooming among the bushes.
‘Sylvia likes flowers. Should I pick one for her?’
When I was at Sylvia’s mansion, she would smile happily whenever I brought her flowers. Thinking it might help their relationship, I hopped into the bushes.
“Beep.”
‘Which flower should I give her?’
As I carefully searched, enjoying the sweet fragrance of flowers, someone entered the bushes where I was.
“Woof woof!”
It was a fluffy white puppy. It looked young, not yet fully grown.
“Chirp…?”
‘Why is there a puppy here?’
“Pant, woof!”
“Chirp?”
‘Do you want to play with me?’
Seeing its wagging tail, I instinctively looked around for a twig suitable for a puppy to play with.
Just then, a wet mouth grabbed the back of my neck, accompanied by a rustling sound.
“Beep!”
‘What, why did you bite me! Let me go!’
But as if not understanding my desperate cries, the puppy started running with me in its mouth. My mind went blank. Cesar would surely scold me again.
I hung limply from the puppy’s mouth, half-resigned to my fate.
“Beep.”
‘My life. It’s never smooth sailing.’