Episode 5
“Beep! Beep!”
“Lily! Don’t run away!”
‘No! Don’t catch me!’
“Why is it so fast! I can’t catch it!”
“Lily, I have your favorite fruit here!”
I snorted at the maids trying to lure me and diligently flew away with my small wings.
I should have known when Cesar said he’d ask the maids to groom me.
‘I didn’t know they’d apply the hours-long preening process of romance fantasy heroines to a bird!’
Several designers flocked to make a tiny bird outfit. The maids scrubbed and polished my feathers as if trying to remove their color. They seemed determined to turn me from a pink bird into a white one.
So I ran away.
‘Even when I was human, I didn’t bother with dressing up!’
“Lily! If you keep doing that, the Duke might get angry. How many times have you run away already!”
My body flinched at the word “Duke.” The experienced maids noticed my weakness and started chiming in.
“That’s right. The Duke doesn’t like waiting.”
“Yes! The later Lily is, the worse the Duke’s mood will get.”
‘…Is that really true?’
I recalled Cesar’s purple eyes gleaming ominously as he glared at me. I instinctively cringed.
But I had something to say too. No matter how much you dress up a bird, it’s still a bird. So…
‘I’m not the heroine, so there’s no need to dress up like this!’
Running away was the right choice. It wouldn’t even be noticeable, so Cesar would just…
Just then, the closed door opened.
“Why is it so noisy?”
“D… Duke.”
The maids, disheveled from chasing me, quickly composed themselves and bowed their heads. I stealthily tried to perch on a maid’s shoulder, pretending to know nothing. But Cesar called me.
“Lily. Come here.”
‘Oh no. I’m doomed.’
“Beep…”
I wearily lifted my wings and flew to him. The tiny pink feathers scattered on the floor and the disheveled maids testified to my guilt.
Like a culprit, I hung my head low and landed obediently on his shoulder.
“What’s going on here?”
Cesar looked at the maids as if asking for an explanation. The red-haired maid hurriedly replied.
“W-well… Lily… kept running away…”
“Why?”
“…I think she didn’t like the grooming process.”
“Well, I understand. We’re running out of time anyway.”
“Beeeep…!”
‘Yay! Freedom!’
As I let out a joyful chirp, Cesar chuckled.
“Lily. Are you that happy?”
“Beep!”
Cesar rubbed my bare chest and looked at me.
“Where did you sell the decorations I picked out, and why are you so happy?”
“…”
‘W… Well…’
As I got into the carriage, I looked at the jewel attached amidst my fluffy feathers.
“Beep, Beeeep.”
‘Hee hee. A jewel, a jewel.’
Although I dropped it once while flying and received Cesar’s sharp glare, I managed to find it safely.
Cesar looked at me, mesmerized by jewels like a capitalist, with a curious gaze.
“You seem to like jewels.”
“Beep? Beep.”
‘Of course. It’s my escape fund.’
I planned to take this jewel and run as soon as I became human. The perfect plan. The perfect escape. If he knew, he might turn me into roasted bird right away.
Hiding my sinister intentions, I rubbed my face against Cesar’s hand and wagged my tail feathers. Acting cute towards him had become familiar now.
That didn’t mean my relationship with Cesar had become incredibly close. I stayed in the warm greenhouse, and he only visited me occasionally when leaving or returning to the mansion. All I did was greet him or see him off.
Still, perhaps it was a feeling I developed after spending a few days with him, but it didn’t seem like Cesar completely hated me. He sometimes let me rub my face against his hand.
Just then, the carriage rattled slightly, as if it had arrived. I was sitting perfectly fine on Cesar’s shoulder, looking out the window. Cesar spoke as if teasing me,
“You’re quite the bird at feigning illness. You’re perfectly fine today, aren’t you?”
“Beep.”
‘Who didn’t cast the magic even though I get motion sickness?’
I replied curtly. When I refused to get in the carriage because of motion sickness, Cesar hesitated for a moment before casting the spell. The nausea in my stomach subsided immediately.
“Lily.”
As I sulked and remained aloof even when his hand approached, he took something out. I stared blankly at what he had produced. Luminous jewels, sparkling brilliantly.
‘Does he think this will appease me?’
“Beep!”
‘That’s right. I’m an easy bird.’
“…Chuckle.”
He seemed to scoff, but let’s ignore that. Today was important.
Today, I had to meet the male lead appearing at the birthday banquet, no matter what. I had to get clues from him, who might know about me, about how I could become human again.
And once I got those clues, I had to escape as soon as possible. He might be smiling now, but Cesar was someone capable of anything to gain Sylvia’s attention.
So my life was still hanging by a thread.
Perhaps finding it strange that I was staring at him silently, he poked my head feathers.
I felt a surge of annoyance and considered scratching his handsome face with my sharp, beast-like claws. But if I did, my short bird life would truly come to an end.
“Beep.”
‘Please, let those who kill birds be punished in the boiling pits of hell after they die.’
Praying with that very petty wish, I entered the Imperial Palace banquet hall, today’s destination, with him.
‘Wow. So this is what the Imperial Palace looks like.’
Entering the Imperial Palace with Cesar, I marveled at the splendor of the sparkling chandeliers on the ceiling and the jewel-adorned interior. The elegant movements of the nobles dancing to the low music felt like a scene from a movie.
‘This is my first time seeing something like this. Amazing.’
As I looked around like a country bumpkin bird, the gatekeeper’s voice resonated majestically, announcing Cesar’s entrance.
“Duke Cesar Clovis and Lady Lily are entering.”
“Beep?”
‘Why is my name there? I’m just a bird. Did I become human?’
Confused, I examined my body.
Apart from the faint white glow around my plump belly, my body was a beautiful pink, like cherry blossoms in spring. A tiny beak and small stature. Even my feet, gripping Cesar’s shoulder tightly. I was undoubtedly a bird.
As I tilted my head in question, Cesar replied,
“I did mention that I would be bringing a partner, but His Highness the Crown Prince seems to have misunderstood.”
‘…Huh?’
“If he had known it was a bird, he wouldn’t have bothered to announce it so formally.”
Suddenly, my face flushed at a gaze I felt from somewhere. It seemed to be coming from where the royal family was seated.
“Beep…”
‘Did you use me to embarrass the Crown Prince?’
I looked at Cesar with narrowed eyes. He stroked me.
“You’re quick-witted at times like these.”
“Beep.”
‘Hmph. I’m only putting up with this because you’re my owner.’
As I sulked and grumbled, murmurs filled the banquet hall.
“Lily? That’s a name I’ve never heard before. Could she be a distant relative of the Duke’s family?”
“Perhaps a lover.”
“If the Duke has fallen for another woman besides Lady Veronica, Lady Veronica would be in a ridiculous position.”
I was appalled by the murmurs. I was on the verge of becoming the woman who stole Sylvia’s place.
“Beep! Beep!”
‘No! That’s not true!’
Just then, someone tilted their head in confusion.
“But there’s no partner next to the Duke?”
“You’re right. That’s strange… Uh…? Look at the Duke’s shoulder.”
“That’s a bird, isn’t it?”
“Is the bird’s name Lily?”
Sighs of realization followed. I breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Phew, that’s a relief. They realized I’m not a distant relative or a lover, just a pet bird.’
“…Oh my. How cute.”
‘Huh?’
“The Duke seems to like such a small and charming bird. It’s not very cu…te, but it’s too cute to not be cute.”
“I agree. I wondered who Lily was. Hmm. Hearing it again, it’s quite lovely… It suits the bird well.”
“Beep.”
‘You noble ladies, I can see you blushing even though you’re speaking coldly. And it’s uncomfortable. Stop staring. My face is going to wear out!’
I was embarrassed by the intense stares. My soft, pink feathers felt like they were turning as red as roses.
“Chirp.”
‘To receive this kind of attention that I never got when I was human. Being a cute bird is tiring after all.’
Even as I said that, I wiggled my hips and cutely positioned my wings.
“So cute.”
I could feel the intense gazes, even as they fanned themselves and glanced at me. I was definitely losing my mind after becoming a bird. To be so flattered by small compliments…
Cesar’s eyes narrowed as he watched my actions. He seemed to be observing me.
“Beep…?”
‘Why are you looking at me? I was just admiring myself.’
I felt like I was caught singing in my room by my siblings. I folded my proudly displayed wings and sat quietly on his shoulder.
“Birds are hard to understand. Or is it just my bird that’s strange?”
“Beep.”
‘I’m not strange.’
Denying my strangeness, I tilted my head at the clear, bright laughter I heard.
“Lily. You even dressed up. How cute.”
“Beep…?”
A gentle and kind voice, clear blue eyes like a sparkling sea surface, and vibrant blonde hair like freshly bloomed flowers. It was Sylvia.
I was about to fly to her in joy, but, noticing Cesar, I simply chirped in response.
“Beep!”
Sylvia, responding with a smile, approached him and spoke.
“I knew you would take good care of Lily, Duke.”
“Of course, since it was your request.”
Cesar told a blatant lie without batting an eye. He definitely had no conscience.
I don’t know how she looks like in that dress, but I know she is so cute 😭❤️