Episode 21
“Hello, Cesar.”
“Welcome.”
Sylvia, having alighted from the carriage, approached us. Today, her clothes were modest, as if she was trying to avoid attention.
“Thank you for taking me to the festival. But you don’t look well?”
“That’s not true. I’m at the festival with you.”
“Beeeep.”
‘He’s lying. He was glaring at me as if he wanted to kill me just a moment ago.’
I subtly lowered my gaze. My cheeks stung from his glare before Sylvia arrived.
Then, Sylvia saw me perched on Cesar’s shoulder and smiled brightly.
“Lily’s coming too, I see. It’s been a while.”
“Beep.”
‘It’s been a while. How have you been? I’m really sorry about last time.’
I lowered my head apologetically, and Sylvia stroked my head reassuringly. I rubbed my face against her hand affectionately.
Hearing her clear laughter put me at ease. Although another voice suddenly cut in.
“As long as she doesn’t cause any trouble. Lily’s quite a handful.”
“Really? She was well-behaved with me. She must be comfortable enough with you to act spoiled.”
Seeing them converse so amicably, I puffed up my feathers in dissatisfaction.
‘Who’s a handful? I’m a very well-behaved bird.’
But they couldn’t understand bird language, and I, excluded from the conversation, became a neglected bird.
As I sulkily wagged my tail feathers, Cesar stroked my head.
“There will be a lot of people at the festival, so it would be difficult to handle any trouble you cause. I hope you’ll be well-behaved…”
“Beep.”
‘I don’t cause trouble.’
As I confidently replied to Cesar, he glanced at me with a slightly uneasy look. But he just sighed softly and didn’t say anything more.
As if about to board the carriage, Cesar offered Sylvia his hand, and she took it. Even their simple exchange was elegant. Even if they changed their clothes to appear like commoners, their appearance and aura couldn’t be hidden.
The two of them, holding hands, looked like a scene from a painting. Even I felt my heart flutter.
‘I wish it could stay like this forever.’
I knew the ending of the story. The ending for Cesar, my owner, wasn’t a happy one.
The thought of him becoming consumed by unrequited love made me feel uneasy.
They blended naturally into the festive atmosphere of the marketplace. Of course, people glanced at them because of their striking appearance despite their different attire, but Sylvia seemed satisfied.
Immersed in the festive atmosphere, I sat on Cesar’s shoulder and watched the people passing by. Then, I started smelling something delicious.
‘…Delicious smell. I didn’t eat properly this morning because of the maids.’
I recalled how I had only managed to peck at some fruit because the maids were fussing over dressing me up, like a noble lady preparing for her debut. As I fumed to myself, feeling hungry, Sylvia looked at me and asked,
“Cesar, Lily seems hungry.”
“…Beep!”
‘Yes, I’m hungry! Can you buy me something from that street vendor?’
As if understanding my words, she smiled and bought a fruit skewer. But my eyes were glued to something else Sylvia was holding.
Spicy, glistening meat.
Since I was currently a bird, I had only been eating dried fruits and nuts… but honestly, I always wanted to eat meat, too. I had been holding back because if I asked for meat, they would bring me bugs.
Gulp. As I swallowed, staring at what Sylvia was holding, she smiled brightly.
“Do you want to eat this?”
“Beep.”
“But it might be too spicy for a bird. I wonder if it’s okay for you to eat this…”
“Beep!”
‘It’s okay. I’m good with spicy food!’
I flapped my wings eagerly, urging her to give it to me. But Cesar shook his head.
“Lily isn’t good with spicy food, so don’t give it to her. She might cry in front of you if she eats it and finds it too spicy. Lily is a crybaby.”
I shook my head vigorously, protesting Cesar, who was subtly teasing me in front of Sylvia.
“Chirp!”
‘No, I’m good with spicy food. And a crybaby? When did I ever cry?’
“Since you seem to want it, I’ll give you just one piece. Is that okay?”
“Do as you please.”
Kind Sylvia handed me a small piece of meat. And unlike my past life, I didn’t struggle to swallow the spicy food and start tearing up… or so I thought.
“Beeeep!”
‘Spicy! It’s so spicy, I feel like my tongue is on fire!’
Surprised by the spiciness, I flew around her in circles. My head felt dizzy. I wanted water.
Seeing me like this, Cesar snapped his fingers.
“You’re always the same.”
With those words, cold water touched my beak. The burning sensation in my mouth subsided.
Once the spiciness faded, I calmed down and flew back to Cesar. I sat on his shoulder, dejected.
“…Beep.”
‘…To think I’ve become a lightweight when it comes to spicy food.’
My whole body felt hot, as if sweat was trickling down my back.
“Lily, are you alright?”
“Beep.”
‘Yes, I’m fine. Just a little embarrassed. I think I got teased more because of my stubbornness.’
“Then I’ll give you this.”
I looked at the fruit skewer Sylvia offered and took a piece in my beak. The sweetness spreading in my mouth lifted my spirits again. My drooping tail feathers perked up, and the feather sticking up on my head swayed cheerfully.
It must be my imagination that Cesar and Sylvia looked at me with expressions like parents soothing a child.
‘Yes. It’s my imagination.’
As I satisfied my hunger and started enjoying the festive atmosphere again, Sylvia spotted a doll shop and exclaimed in surprise,
“Look, it looks just like Lily!”
Sylvia, stopping in front of the doll shop, was holding a pink bird doll.
I flew over to the doll Sylvia was holding and examined it closely. The overall pink color, the small size, and even the adorable expression…
‘Hmm. It does look a little like me.’
“It looks like you, right? You’re looking at it because you think it’s similar.”
I looked at Cesar. He was also looking at the doll Sylvia mentioned.
I hopped over and sat next to the doll.
“Chirp?”
‘Cesar, does this doll look like me, like Sylvia said?’
He silently took the doll, paid for it, and then brought it back. As I tilted my head, puzzled, Cesar suddenly held the doll out to me.
“Chirp?”
‘Did you buy this for me?’
“It looks like you, with its stupid face.”
“Beep!”
‘How mean. Stupid face!’
As I angrily flapped my wings, Cesar chuckled. He was definitely teasing me. I glared at him. My owner seemed to enjoy teasing his pet bird.
Sylvia also picked up a bird doll, following Cesar.
“I’ll buy this too. How much is it?”
Just like that, I got two doll friends that looked just like me.
I puffed up my cheeks and sat on Cesar’s shoulder. Sylvia chuckled and spoke.
“Lily, you’re so cute. You have a lot of new bird friends now.”
“Chirp!”
‘…Bird friends? He said it looked like me with its stupid face. I don’t like this doll.’
“Haha. Cute.”
“…Beep.”
‘I wasn’t going to be swayed by you calling me cute. Sigh, I can’t help but be won over by a beautiful person’s smile.’
My heart softened at her bright smile, and my attention was drawn to the shower of flower petals falling around us.
‘It’s called the Flower Festival for a reason. Warm, vibrant. Perfect for falling in love.’
As I was lost in thought, gazing at the scene, I suddenly heard a voice.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
The unforgettable line from the novel was being recited right next to me. It was a voice I had never heard before, but I knew instantly that it belonged to the Crown Prince.
Before the Crown Prince could take Sylvia’s hand, I flew over and placed my little foot on his hand. And I pushed it away.
“Chirp.”
‘Don’t touch Sylvia.’
The Crown Prince, seemingly bewildered that a bird had suddenly flown over and pushed his hand away, spoke in a puzzled voice,
“Why did the bird suddenly…?”
“Chirp?”
‘Why? Because you’re shortening my lifespan.’
Sylvia, noticing that I had pushed away a stranger’s hand, stopped walking.
“…Lily, what are you doing?”
Even though I heard her calling me from behind, I stared straight at the man in front of me. The Crown Prince looked me over and chuckled.
“How amusing. Obstructing everything I do, just like the Duke.”
His words were laced with hostility. I was a little taken aback by his more hostile-than-expected reaction.
‘Why is he so hostile towards me? And how did he know I was Cesar’s bird right away?’
I tried to remember if I had done anything to offend the Crown Prince. Then, his sudden change in attitude after Sylvia called me “Lily” caught my attention. A forgotten scene from the past came to mind.
Come to think of it, there was a time when Cesar used me to embarrass the Crown Prince. That alone would have been enough to offend him, but now I, the bird, had placed my foot on the Crown Prince’s hand and pushed him away, telling him not to touch Sylvia.
“Beep…”
‘Would a bird be punished for insulting royalty? The Crown Prince, with that scary look on his face, seems capable of it.’
Feeling a little scared, I subtly averted my gaze.
Sylvia, not recognizing the person I was with, bowed her head and apologized to the cloaked Crown Prince.
“I apologize. She doesn’t usually act like this towards strangers…”
I turned my gaze from Sylvia to Cesar. He was standing in a nonchalant posture, clearly displeased. It seemed he knew the cloaked figure was the Crown Prince.
“Come here, Lily.”
“Chirp.”
I hurriedly flew to Cesar and perched on his shoulder. As I returned safely, he apologized to the person in front of him.
“…I apologize, Your Highness.”
At Cesar’s words, Sylvia slowly raised her head. She hesitated for a moment, seeing light brown hair and hazy gray-blue eyes instead of brilliant blonde hair and deep red eyes, but then, recognizing the familiar face of the Crown Prince, she smiled brightly.
Seeing that smile, I thought,
‘Obstruct him? I should just think of a way to escape quickly.’