Episode 76
I fidgeted nervously. Was he taking me to the Dukedom? My mind raced, alternating between blankness and panic.
“…Are you taking me to the Dukedom? Is that why you told Sylvia beforehand?”
The enclosed carriage felt like a mobile cage.
With so much happening, I had forgotten that Cesar was still deciding what to do with me. And the absence of Sylvia, my only support, made me even more anxious.
“If I take a maid to the Dukedom in the middle of the night and keep her in my bedroom, what kind of rumors do you think will spread?”
“Well… that you’re a lecher or shameless…?”
I quickly shut my mouth at his sharp glare.
But he was angry and kept telling me to come to the Dukedom and apologize. What other choice did I have?
And if things got really bad, I could always transform back into a bird and stay by his side, like before. Though I was scared he might lock me in a cage.
“You summoned me here, even though I told you to come to the Dukedom on your own. It makes me question whether you’re truly afraid.”
His eyes narrowed, as if he couldn’t understand what I was thinking. Then, he sighed deeply.
His gaze, like that of a parent watching over a careless child, landed on my dress.
“That doesn’t look like the uniform of a maid at the County. Did Sylvia give it to you?”
“…Yes. Lady Seirthe gave me a ticket to the exhibition, and I was going to wear something simple, but Sylvia insisted I wear this.”
Although getting dressed up was tiring, the exhibition itself was quite enjoyable. I kept stopping, captivated by the dazzling jewels, and I couldn’t help but admire them, despite knowing I should be wary.
I even wanted to demand that he take me to such exhibitions again.
Recalling the scene, I smiled brightly, my eyes sparkling like a child’s.
“You enjoyed yourself, Lily.”
“It was wonderful. Cesa… no.”
I discreetly observed his reaction. He had pointed out my casually calling him by his name last time.
“You used to give me jewels, Your Grace. They shimmered with beautiful colors under the light, like stars in the sky, so I would often place them under the light and admire them. It reminded me of those times, so I enjoyed it even more.”
They were jewels smaller than my knuckles, but when I was a bird, they felt as big as pearls. I loved their brilliance, illuminating my vision like stardust.
At first, I had only desired the jewels he occasionally gave me, but then, I started chirping and greeting Cesar himself, sharing stories about my day, falling asleep by his side…
‘I thought I wouldn’t go back because it was dangerous… I’ve made quite a few memories with Cesar as Lily.’
As I clenched and unclenched my hands, recalling the past, the image of Cesar, alone and lonely, lingered in my mind.
‘He said he was hurt.’
I had thought he would be furious and try to kill me without listening to my explanation.
Contrary to my expectations, his downcast eyes and bitter gaze cut deeper than anger.
“And you took those jewels and ran away.”
“…Yes.”
I had nothing to say. I had to acknowledge that I had hurt him by leaving.
I bit my lip and took a deep breath. I had to apologize. He told me to apologize at the Dukedom, so I had to go to him and atone for my actions, in the way he wanted.
I deserved to be scolded for my hasty words and actions.
Cesar’s brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed.
Before I could speak, he said in a low, biting voice,
“If you ran away like that, you shouldn’t have gotten involved with anyone else.”
My mouth, which had been about to open, closed.
“What did you receive from Lady Seirthe?”
I flinched at the mention of her name. I became anxious, worried he might find the note hidden in my dress.
“…N-nothing.”
“Give me what you’re hiding.”
His voice was firm, as if he already knew.
How did he know? Prea and I had kept a considerable distance.
Did he sense the subtle atmosphere even from afar?
“Lady Seirthe just took a liking to me and summoned me personally.”
“My bird has a knack for causing trouble and attracting unwanted attention after going out. Those who approach you are never sane, only harmful.”
Including me.
I was a little taken aback by him including me among the “harmful” ones, but his words were so true that I couldn’t deny it.
“I’ve heard that she’s the only daughter of the Seirthe Marquisate and is aiming for the Crown Princess position. How do you think I would react, seeing a woman like that suddenly acting friendly with Sylvia and summoning her maid? Do I look like a fool, Lily?”
His words, flowing smoothly, left me speechless.
“You’re quite capable, Your Grace. You found me wherever I went… and you even know what I’m hiding.”
His sharp gaze, as if warning me not to provoke him, pierced through my facade.
Prea hadn’t acted so hastily before, so Cesar hadn’t noticed, but… in the end, he would find out and contribute to the downfall of her family, so it wouldn’t change anything.
“She might have taken a liking to me, but I doubt the precious daughter of the Seirthe Marquisate would waste her time on a mere maid.”
I had been sending messages to the cute cat mail carrier, but the Crown Prince hadn’t replied to my concerns about how to protect Sylvia from Prea.
The Seirthe Marquisate was one of the core factions supporting the Crown Prince. He wouldn’t want to cut them off unless Prea caused the kidnapping incident.
One of the reasons the Second Prince was planning a surprise attack during the hunting competition was to seize the opportunity while the Crown Prince’s forces were weakened after losing one of their core factions.
I looked at Cesar.
He was actually the most dangerous one. The reason I had hesitated to ask for his help, even though he could resolve this, was… because it might create a situation favorable to the Second Prince.
Cesar had already visited the Second Prince’s palace. He would figure out that the Crown Prince was cutting off one of his core factions because of Prea’s actions, and he might use that to further support the Second Prince.
It would be a disaster if the original story deviated significantly because of that. The Second Prince was definitely not fit to be Emperor.
“I might be in danger.”
“Why didn’t you even tell Sylvia?”
“It’s just a suspicion. And I didn’t want to worry her…”
“Wasn’t there a Spirit Summoner lingering around you?”
“Ah, I did receive help. He assigned a spirit to protect me, just in case. He would help me if I was in danger while the spirit was present, but that’s all.”
Yes, that was all. I couldn’t ask him to protect me all the time.
“It’s okay. Nothing has happened yet, and I haven’t been hurt.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Pardon?”
“…I was your owner. I wouldn’t just stand by and watch my bird get hurt.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
“You said you hadn’t decided whether to confine or kill me. Compared to an uncertain future, you’re the more imminent threat.”
Come to think of it, I had gotten involved in the complicated affairs of the Imperial Palace because I ran away from my owner, who might kill me.
‘You should have been nicer in the novel.’
It was Cesar’s fault for killing an innocent bird. Even now, he was still testing me, saying he didn’t know what to do, making my heart race.
“Then, if I decide to cherish you, will you tell me everything?”
His unexpected words surprised me. His gentle demeanor, despite being clearly angry about me running away, was strange.
“Why would you do that? You haven’t even forgiven me for my actions.”
He wasn’t usually the type to show kindness.
Especially not to someone who had hurt him. He held grudges for a long time.
“Yes, I’m angry. Normally, I would have locked you in a cage and starved you without hesitation.”
‘Gasp. That’s too much. Even the worst villains feed their captives!’
As my fingertips trembled at the villain’s cruelty, calm purple eyes stared at me.
“But I can’t.”
His low voice pierced through the silence and reached my ears.
“You slept by my side on those sleepless nights. When I said I hated being alone, that I hated the darkness with no one to protect me, you comforted me, Lily.”
His questionable actions flashed through my mind.
Why hadn’t he killed me or locked me up as soon as he recognized me? I, as a human, knew the side of him he wanted to hide. I could even expose his weaknesses to others.
He played small pranks on me, as if trusting me. He waited, even though I acted brazenly and didn’t return to his side.
“…Do you miss me as a bird, Your Grace?”
So I asked. I had no intention of staying by his side as a tiny, peach-colored bird.
The joy of becoming human was indescribable.
I was happy to be able to walk on two feet again. I was happy to be able to talk to Sylvia and become her true friend.
“I’ve missed the little bird that used to chirp and I’ve resented it. I also thought you would always be my bird, no matter your form.”
His words made me feel dejected. If I had a tail, it would be drooping like wilted grass.
‘So he wants Lily, the bird. What should I do now?’
I preferred being human.
Although I had transformed back into a bird at times for convenience, I didn’t want to live as a bird forever. I didn’t want to lose the freedom I had finally found.
Even though my heart was racing for him, even though I wanted his affection, I wanted to live as a human.
“But—”
“…Yes?”
“The one before me now is you, as a human. Smiling brightly, sometimes acting strangely, and sometimes… someone I miss.”
His words made my face burn.
“If I say I’ve come to like and accept you like this, will Lily, the bird, be upset?”
“…Th-that’s…”
I wouldn’t be. I wanted to stay by his side as a human.
I was speechless, feeling like I had received an unexpected gift, trying to figure out how to respond, when he added,
“Well, you’re still small and foolish.”