Episode 6
“Beep! Beep!”
‘Lies! He keeps threatening to feed me to monsters, glaring coldly and menacingly!’
However, it seemed Sylvia didn’t understand the small, lovely bird’s cries.
“Thank you.”
Only I, knowing everything, felt frustrated.
Then, Cesar spoke to Sylvia with a feigned air of disappointment.
“Are you calling me ‘Duke’ because there are so many ears listening?”
“…Is that so?”
“I liked the name you called me, so I’m a little disappointed.”
Words as sweet as melted sugar were whispered to her. I almost yelled “Beep!” but held back.
Sylvia smiled brightly like sunshine at Cesar, who was whispering about being disappointed.
“But in private, I call you by your name, not ‘Duke.’”
“That’s true, but you could be a little more relaxed. I’m secretly a bit hurt that you always maintain formality in official settings.”
His hand brushed Sylvia’s stray hair behind her ear.
“Ah…”
“I know it can’t be helped, but can you understand my feelings?”
“Of course I understand. You’re a precious person I’ve always been with.”
While they were enacting a scene straight out of a romance fantasy novel, I quietly spread my fluffy wings. Figuring they wouldn’t notice my pea-sized presence disappearing, I smoothly slipped out of the banquet hall.
“Kyaak! A bird…! A bird!”
…I think I heard something from behind, but it must be my imagination.
‘Yes. I definitely didn’t startle people by flying around recklessly. Lily is a bird, so she doesn’t know such things.’
‘Phew. I finally made it out.’
I checked on my jewel first. Thankfully, it was safe.
Other than that, my precious feathers were a bit ruffled, but otherwise, I was the same as usual. The sparkly bird suit, custom-made by some famous designer, was also intact.
“Beep!”
‘Now, let’s fly to find the male lead who will appear today!’
I straightened my body proudly, puffed out my white belly, and soared powerfully. And I began flying around the Imperial Palace.
“Beep.”
‘Is it here?’
“Beep?”
‘Or here?’
I diligently wandered around, trying to find the secret place in the Imperial Palace that I remembered. And I realized… I was lost.
“Beep.”
‘I’m doomed. I didn’t know the Imperial Palace was this complicated.’
The place Sylvia mistakenly wandered into was described in the novel. But very briefly. Actually looking around the Imperial Palace, everywhere looked the same.
I had been so arrogant, thinking I could find it faster than Sylvia by flying, that I hadn’t considered any other options.
The sun set, and the night air settled. Fortunately, I could see clearly even at night, so returning wouldn’t be a problem, but the place I was looking for was nowhere to be seen.
My tail feathers drooped, and my proudly puffed-up body naturally deflated.
Just then, I heard a rustling sound from beyond the bushes. It sounded like someone was there.
‘Did I find him?’
My eyes gleaming, I flew over. It seemed like hope was in sight.
But what I saw when I landed…
“Hiss.”
It was a snake, flicking its dark red tongue. It looked at least three or four times my size, and it was staring at me.
‘…Hello? Your scales are very pretty. Well, I’ll be going now. Bye!’
I tried to leave nonchalantly, but the snake opened its mouth and attacked. Its fangs grazed and passed by the base of my wing. A few of my precious feathers fell out.
“Beep!”
‘Ouch! It attacked me!’
Angered, I tried to peck it with my beak, but I saw the snake’s fiercely gleaming eyes.
The snake, flicking its tongue, looked hungry, as if it hadn’t eaten in days. If I wasn’t careful, I might become its next meal.
“Beep!”
‘Help me! A snake in the Imperial Palace!’
I tried to fly away, but my injured left wing hurt with every movement. I flew briefly and landed again, trying to shake the snake off, but it showed no signs of letting go.
I cried out for help.
“Beep! Beep!”
‘Please, is there no one? I’m scared! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to be snake food!’
As I frantically ran for my life, not knowing where I was, I heard a languid male voice.
“Why is it so noisy…?”
“Beep! Beep!”
‘Help me! Chase this snake away!’
I searched for the man, hidden somewhere out of sight, and pleaded for help. But even after hearing my desperate cries, he spoke indifferently.
“I’m sleepy… I’m exhausted from coming all the way to the Empire.”
“Beep! Beep!”
“And to think I’d see a snake hunting in the Imperial Palace.”
‘You’re not going to help? Is that it?’
“Yawn. When can I go back? This is tedious.”
“Beep…”
‘I’m fighting for my life, and he’s yawning and relaxing…?’
At this rate, I would definitely be eaten by the starving snake. The man I had hoped would help was just leisurely watching.
I had to think. Exhausted, I was on the verge of being hunted by the pursuing snake.
Just then, a scene flashed through my mind. The words spoken by the male lead I was supposed to meet Sylvia today.
‘Everything in the Empire was boring. But you’re interesting.’
He had come down from the branch he was sitting on and offered Sylvia a helping hand.
A thick branch and a space where a person could lean.
I prepared to fly to the branch where the man might be. My wing throbbed with pain, but if I didn’t fly now, I might die.
Like a gamble, I endured the pain and mustered all my remaining strength, soaring powerfully. And as soon as I heard breathing nearby, I threw myself towards it.
“Huh…? What the… Ugh.”
“Beep. Beep!”
‘Hello. Sorry for the sudden intrusion, but please help me!’
I headbutted him, leaving three straight lines – my footprints – on his handsome face. He opened his closed eyes and looked at me.
His loosely fitted clothes seemed to reflect his personality, full of languid indifference. A spark ignited in his previously dull red eyes, and his hair, the color of a pitch-black night, blended into the darkness.
“Did you come to me for help…?”
“Beep!”
“What a bold bird. You’ve become a little less boring.”
The highly regarded Spirit Summoner from the country specializing in Spirit Arts, located in the western part of the continent, and one of the male leads who loved Sylvia. Herown Lovisiel.
He chuckled in disbelief, looking at me, who had boldly stamped footprints on his face.
Seeing his nonchalant laughter, I urged him desperately.
“Beep! Beep!”
‘Hurry up and help me! Why are you just saying typical male lead lines and doing nothing!’
I pecked Herown frantically with my beak, but he just looked at me with a calm expression.
“Beeeep!”
‘Hurry! The snake is climbing up the tree! I don’t want to be snake food!’
Before tears welled up in my black eyes, Herown opened his mouth.
“…Sylph.”
At his words, a transparent girl, about the same size as me, appeared with a pong. A sudden gust of wind rustled the leaves and ruffled my feathers.
I blinked, fascinated by the floating figure.
“Beep?”
‘Is that a spirit? Cute.’
With her swaying hair and free-spirited movements, she looked like a playful little child. But the spirit’s energy surrounding her was mystical, and a pleasant sensation seemed to brush against me.
Suddenly, a strong wind blew. Thud. I heard the sound of the snake, which had been climbing the tree, falling.
I glanced down and saw the snake below, unable to come closer, licking its lips. I shivered.
“Beep!”
‘Don’t target me…! I don’t taste good!’
Fortunately, the starving snake glared at me a few times before disappearing back into the bushes.
“Beep…”
‘I thought I was going to die.’
Relieved, I wiped away the sweat. And I brazenly settled on Herown’s palm and examined my left wing.
“Beep…”
‘My precious little wing. I hope it wasn’t bitten by a venomous snake.’
As I sat there groaning in pain, the Sylph approached me.
“Beep?”
‘Why is it coming close to me?’
As I looked at it questioningly, medicine and bandages floated over on the wind.
Touched, I covered my beak with my right wing.
“Beep…!”
‘This kind spirit! Its personality is completely different from its owner’s.’
As I obediently offered my left wing, medicine was poured on it, and bandages were wrapped around it. Then, seemingly finished with its task, the Sylph smiled proudly and disappeared.
“Beep!”
‘Thank you! Sylph!’
After expressing my gratitude, I relaxed my tense body languidly on Herown’s hand. Perhaps finding my behavior brazen, he chuckled. Then, he pressed the jewel on my chest.
“Interesting. Spirits are picky and rarely show kindness. You look like an insignificant bird.”
“Beep?”
‘Wait a minute, did you just call me an insignificant bird?’
My eyes fluttered at those words. I had been chased by a snake and finally made it here, but the man in front of me had an expression that suggested he knew nothing about me.
‘Was my memory wrong? No. That can’t be right.’
As I hopped around in confusion, he stroked me.
“And bold, too. Not boring. The Duke is raising something quite interesting…”
“Beep?”
‘How did you know I was raised by Cesar?’
“You seem curious how I know about you.”
“Beep.”
‘Yes, I’m curious.’
Herown smoothly replied,
“I heard it from a spirit. The Imperial family announced the arrival of a bird named ‘Lily.’”
‘Ah. That’s when.’
“The Duke seems to cherish you quite a bit.”
“…Beep. Beep.”
‘No way. If I was cherished, I wouldn’t be wandering around like this, suffering.’
As I shook my head firmly, he let out a small chuckle.
Not him saying male lead things to a bird 😭