Episode 42
He looked me over after I transformed into a bird and said,
“I did mention you were a bird, but it’s not good to jump to conclusions and act so hastily. It seems you’re only good at learning, not much else.”
He flicked my forehead.
“Beep!”
‘Why did you do that?! It hurts!’
“And don’t think I can understand bird language.”
“Chirp?”
‘I didn’t think that.’
I wondered if he really thought I was a birdbrain.
Having naturally settled onto the Crown Prince’s hand, I examined the scars scattered across his arm.
‘Ugh… what did the Empress do to a child to leave so many scars? Hmm, is there a way I can heal these?’
The Crown Prince had said that mana and divine power shared the same origin. I was absorbing mana, but judging by the evidence, the mysterious power I had used to defeat monsters should be called divine power.
Calling it divine power made me feel like a holy bird.
I snorted, thinking of the temple.
“Chirp.”
‘Holy bird or whatever, I hate being tied down anywhere for life.’
The necklace-shaped artifact I wore to conceal the mark shrunk to match my bird form and rattled.
I didn’t know much about divine power yet, but according to the Crown Prince, it seemed like I could use it for healing, just like in other romance fantasy novels.
I had only experienced its destructive power, thinking it was only for defeating evil, but if I could control it properly, perhaps I could erase these scars.
‘And now I understand.’
The first time, when I was attacked by the wolf monster, I was filled with the desire to live. I desperately wished to protect my life. Then, a bright light enveloped me.
That was the moment I first used divine power.
But the second time was different. It didn’t react to my simple desire to live.
Only when I shouted that I wanted to protect this place, not for myself, but for others, did the bright light envelop me, and then the unfamiliar mark appeared on my chest.
It was a greater power than before, a power that defeated a sentient monster.
Although it had only happened twice, the criteria for activating divine power were becoming clearer. The way to use the divine power within me was definitely related to the intensity of my desire and my selfless wish to protect others.
“Beep.”
‘Crown Prince, I’ll try to heal this.’
As I looked up at him and blinked, the Crown Prince frowned.
“What are you doing on my hand?”
“Beep.”
‘Just watch.’
I glanced at his furrowed brows and then quickly lowered my head. Since we couldn’t communicate, it was better to show him through actions.
He hadn’t asked me to heal him, but the sight of the ugly scars kept bothering me. And I wanted to see if my theory was correct.
“Chirp!”
‘After confirming this, I’ll ask for a delicious meal!’
I cheerfully raised my tail feathers and hopped around, then paused. Why did my thoughts become so simple and my mood improve so easily when I became a bird?
I sighed softly and carefully touched his scar with my wing. I had reverted back into a bird because I was exhausted. My stomach kept rumbling, so it seemed like even with all my effort, I would only be able to erase this one scar.
“Beep. Chirp.”
‘Focus. Let’s focus.’
Deep, dark marks that must have reminded him of the terrible days after his mother, the Empress, died. Since it was the easiest time to nip things in the bud, the Empress must have planned and carried out unimaginable things.
He must have suffered greatly in that kind of life, pushing people away and carefully selecting only a few trustworthy followers.
Come to think of it, this novel was full of people with painful pasts. I knew that male leads usually had tragic backstories, but seeing it in reality made my heart ache.
Gently rubbing the scar, I made a wish. To erase this scar. If you can hear me, please grant my wish again.
A faint shimmer emanated from the tip of my wing.
“What are you—?”
Before the Crown Prince, who had been watching intently, could finish his sentence, I pulled my wing away. And I chirped happily, seeing the smooth, scarless skin.
“Beeeep!”
‘See, I did it!’
“…It’s completely gone. Have you mastered divine power?”
I quickly shook my head.
“Beeeep.”
‘No.’
I had only figured out how to activate divine power. I didn’t know how to control the divine power that burst out when my life was threatened. I would be lucky if I didn’t destroy another building.
“Beep.”
Growl.
An even louder growl came from my stomach. My thin legs trembled from exhaustion.
Now that I had confirmed my theory, it was time to rest until the food was ready.
“Come here, Lady Valerie.”
A gentle voice, accompanied by the image of large, fresh grapes, reached me.
“Chirp, Beeeep?”
‘Do you think I’ll come just because you’re tempting me with food?’
Yes. How did you know?
I smiled brightly and fluttered over to Pona. And I pecked at the grapes with my small beak.
“You’re so cute. I’ll bring your meal soon, so please satisfy your hunger with these for now.”
“Beep.”
It was feeding time.
I heard a chuckle from behind. I held a grape the size of my face in my beak and turned around.
The Crown Prince glanced at his scarless arm and stared intently at me. His lips moved as if he had something to say. I sat quietly on Pona’s hand, holding the grape in my beak, and waited.
But instead of the Crown Prince’s voice, I heard a knock. He sighed briefly and said,
“Enter.”
Arenz opened the door and entered. Seeing his serious expression, I cautiously observed the situation and put down the grape.
“It’s not time for her to visit yet. Is it the Empress?”
“Yes. She summoned you, saying she has questions about the loud noise and the destroyed building last night.”
“Beep?”
‘Is this because of what I did?’
“Sigh, she’s calling for me after all. Alright. Let’s go.”
I could clearly hear the annoyance in his sigh. I didn’t want to attract attention and be glared at. I subtly avoided his gaze and quietly closed my beak.
But the Crown Prince called me.
“You.”
“Chirp, beep!”
‘What, what?!’
He pointed at the thick books that could kill someone if swung.
“If those aren’t enough, you can go to the Imperial Library.”
A shining silver coin rolled towards me.
“Chirp.”
‘What? Why are you giving this to me?’
“Show this when you enter. It’s a restricted area, so try not to cause any trouble.”
I examined the silver coin. Unlike ordinary coins, it had the Imperial crest clearly engraved on it. It seemed to be a pass to enter the Imperial Library.
“Beep.”
‘Alright.’
“And one more thing. Stay in your human form before you attract unwanted attention. You have no sense of caution.”
He left with Arenz after his curt remark. It felt like a cold wind had swept through the room.
Then, a soft hand stroked my head.
“Lady Valerie, why don’t you transform back into a human and have your meal?”
“Beep.”
I chirped in agreement, and Pona smiled. It was a smile that reminded me of the kind maids at the Dukedom.
I looked at the closed door.
‘He didn’t even thank me for healing his scar. Cesar is better than him in that regard. Cesar smiled and thanked me.’
Now that he was gone, I kept thinking of my former owner, who seemed like an angel in hindsight.
He gave me dazzling jewels and beautiful clothes. And he often called me Lily in a gentle voice.
Recalling the times when Cesar called me in his soft, sweet voice, my heart fluttered unexpectedly.
‘Is this an arrhythmia?’
I rubbed my chest, trying to calm my racing heart.
After a late lunch, I briefly skimmed through the books the Crown Prince gave me. They seemed systematically organized, but they weren’t what I was looking for.
“…There’s nothing about how to use divine power.”
Pona chuckled softly at my words.
“Such confidential books aren’t publicly available. You can’t just carry them around like this.”
I frowned. If these books were useless, it would be better to go to the place the Crown Prince mentioned.
If he had told me from the beginning, I wouldn’t have wasted my time reading these books disguised as blunt weapons.
“Then would you guide me to the Imperial Library?”
“Yes, Lady Valerie. Should we cover your face before we go out? You’d be more comfortable that way.”
Her gentle suggestion implied that she had also heard about my situation from the Crown Prince.
I quietly nodded. Pona put a black robe on me. Seeing my hair completely covered, I could sense how precarious my position was.
‘If I carelessly wander around the Imperial Palace, Cesar might hear about me… and I’m not completely on the Crown Prince’s side, so it’s hard to trust him completely.’
I glanced at Pona. She had a kind face, but she was also one of the Crown Prince’s people. Behind her smile, she might be assessing whether I was trustworthy.
As I was thinking, Pona led the way.
“Follow me. I’ll guide you through a secret passage within the Imperial Palace. It’s rarely used.”
Looking at her bright smile, I shook my head.
‘This kindness is also beneficial to me. So I shouldn’t overthink it. And I’m no different.’
I was also scheming to escape the Imperial Palace, just like I did at the Dukedom. Just like they were assessing whether I was useful and worth keeping around, I was also assessing them, planning to take what I could and run away.
‘For now, I’m trapped like a bird in a cage, having destroyed the building and garden and having my reward confiscated…’
Sighing at my depressing reality, I followed Pona.