Chapter 54

*Rainelle’s POV

A small laugh tickled my ears. I felt helpless in Karmeut’s arms and closed my eyes tightly, I could feel his breath on my cheek.

“Open your eyes, Rainelle.”

…I can’t open it! My heart might burst when I do!!

I shook my head and closed my eyes tighter. Then a low laugh can be heard, and Karmeut’s voice came from right next to my ear with a breath,

“Then I’ll do whatever I want.”

It’s ominous to say that he will do whatever he wants, but that doesn’t make my heart strong enough to open my eyes! No, would anyone?! How can you open your eyes after a very handsome man smiled and kissed you deeply with an alluring smile?!!

But the next moment, I had no choice but to open my eyes. It was because I could feel his hand gently sweeping down my side slowly, both subtly and tickling.

“Ka, Karmeut?!”

“I said I’d do whatever I want, didn’t I?”

“I, I’ve opened my eyes! So stop it!”

“No. It’s already too late.”

Did you eat sweet pumpkin? It’s so sugary! Why do you answer like this? No wait, wait, wait!! Something’s strange?!

“Ugh—!!”

“Oh, really… It makes me want to do it more if that’s your reaction.”

“Don’t!”

“No.”

Stop being so aggressive! Oh my God!

I’m struggling, but I don’t think my arm will come loose! No, I usually liked his hand because it was strong, but what kind of steel is this?! I’m struggling like this, but it won’t budge! Hold on!! Ear, my ear!!

“Hey…!!”

My shoulders shrank by the touch of a slight bite on my earlobe. He was tenaciously biting it lightly as if playing a joke.

“Ear, my ear…”

“Yeah, ear. Do you like it here?”

I shook my head with all my might.

It’s weird rather than good! So stop it! It doesn’t look like it will be delicious, but why do you keep going?

“I, it’s weird. Stop…”

“Is it just weird?”

After kissing my ear, I could feel his lips slowly going down the back of my neck. I got goosebumps and felt ticklish.

“Hold on, wait a minute…”

I felt a chill at the sound of his soft laugh and pushed his chest away, but Karmeut didn’t budge.

*knock, knock, knock*

“Your Majesty, it’s time.”

When I heard the voice along with the knocks, I was able to come to my senses.

OMG! I don’t know who you are, but thank you!!

“Kkak!!”

Afterward, I flew back after quickly turning back into a crow.

Right! I should have immediately turned into a crow and run away! Why didn’t I think of that?!

I hid myself above the closet, suppressing my pounding heart. I could feel eyes full of disappointment that was staring at me, but I ignored it.

Ignore it, ignore it!! I can’t pretend to know! For the time being, no human form while at Karmeut’s side! No, I won’t even change!! I won’t be able to take that feeling where my heart is going to explode again!!

*Karmeut’s POV

Karmeut couldn’t contain his disappointment, so he just stared coldly at the servant who knocked. The servant, who received a sharp gaze without knowing the reason, breathed out a long sigh.

“—Should I give up for today?”

Swallowing tears of blood inwardly at the fact that the work he had to do after becoming emperor had increased like a mountain, Karmeut moved on with his steps.

He wanted to punish the ignorant servant, but in the first place, he was the one who told the servant to call him when the time came. Karmeut had no choice but to leave because he knew better than anyone else that he had to deal with envoys from other kingdoms and that documents would pile up like a mountain if there was a delay even for a moment.

Still…

A smile came to Karmeut’s face as he recalled what had just happened.

Her blushing face and shy look. And it’s like she doesn’t know what to do. What a lovely reaction.

Karmeut raised a hand and covered his face. He had to gather as much patience as possible so as not to go back to the room where Rainelle was.

As long as he ascended to the throne, he must work on his own to rule the Empire. It was still in the early stages of his accession, so there were various disturbing things all over the place.

…No, it’s not. All these are just excuses. It’s because if I didn’t focus on my work, I would do whatever I wanted together with Rainelle without thinking about everything else.

If I do that, I will be hated by Rainelle.

I had to avoid that no matter what.

…just now, didn’t her face change as if it was about to explode, and then she returned to her crow form?

Though he thought that he should be more restrained in the future, Karmeut could not contain his regret.

Will I be able to restrain myself about Rainelle? How beautiful is she? Just by kissing, she blushes, and without realizing it, I want to touch her and share my body temperature.

No, that was impossible. That was why Karmeut vowed to himself,

I have to approach her often so that Rainelle gets used to it.

*Rainelle’s POV

Aaaah, my pounding heart can’t calm down! How can he do that? I must be crazy! You must be crazy! Why do I keep thinking of the kiss I had with Karmeut earlier?! Why is it that I can feel the firm hand that wrapped around my waist?!

I wanted to rip my hair out, but now I’m a crow! No! I can’t rip off the feathers that I’ve been caring for so much! I mean, it would hurt!!

I groaned and looked around.

Change my mood, let’s change my mood! Don’t stay in the room, just fly outside! Luwellin is gone too, and I should be able to wander around safely!

Anyway, I can’t get lost, so I need to check where this is… Oh, that’s right!

I headed to the jewelry box that Karmeut had prepared for me. I could barely open it by biting the clasp with my beak, gripping the lid with my feet, and flapping my wings.

As soon as I opened the lid, I enjoyed a moment of happiness in the dazzling brilliance that poured out.

Even when I was a human, I never thought of playing with jewels! No, no, it’s not important right now, is it?

With a couple of jewels in my beak, I flew to the window. Then I lined up the jewels in the window so that they could be seen clearly.

Good! They shine brightly under the sun! If I do this, I can see it well from the outside!

My feathers swelled up as I thought that it was pretty decent.

Haa. Now let’s take a walk around the Imperial Palace!

I flew through the open window. The wind brushing my feathers was refreshing.

It felt like it has been a long time since I fly like this. Not to mention when Luwellin was around, Karmeut was concerned about many things…

I unconsciously flew high by waving my wings while letting out a cry. As I watched the splendid Imperial Palace getting smaller and smaller, I naturally smiled.

Wow, I was afraid of heights when I was a zookeeper! Who knew I’d enjoy flying so high?

The higher I go, the cooler the air feel. I pondered for a moment at the gradually increasing wind and the appearance of other birds at first glance.

Should I fly more? Or should I just go back to the Imperial Palace?

In my heart, I wanted to go back after having fun flying to my heart’s content.

…but maybe there are birds of prey? Of course, this is the capital where a lot of people live, but—You can also see kestrels1 even in the city, so it’s possible here too, right?

I was thinking about whether to choose safety or fun.

But it’s a pity to go back now… Hmm, I’ll play a bit more before I go, then!

When I decided to play more, my body felt lighter. I flew a little higher by waving my wings lightly. The Imperial Palace and the big city were getting smaller and smaller as I enjoyed the cool breeze.

Hwaah- Really, how long has it been? Except for the forest where I met Karmeut, I don’t think I’ve ever flown so freely!

Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t like my situation right now… But sometimes, times like this aren’t bad, right?

“Caaw? (Shall I bring something back?)”

Since I went out, I wanted to bring something that I could give to Karmeut if possible.

But what should I give him?

Hmm, Karmeut is the emperor, right? If the emperor is the most honorable person, he can have all kinds of rare things… what can I get him? Is there something good?

As I felt my head getting tangled, I flapped my wings once.

Hey, let’s go down to a town for once! Maybe I could find something?

Oh, but I’m a crow. …maybe I will get stoned?!

I was afraid to go to the town because I thought I might get stoned.

Ye, yeah… Let’s not go to the town. I could be stoned for doing nothing. There’s no need to jump into danger, right?

Besides, even if there’s something in there that Karmeut might like, I might turn into a roasted crow for taking it…

I don’t want that! I absolutely hate it! Being seriously injured by Luwellin is enough! That bastard is already dead and oxygen can be saved!

I suddenly turned and flew back towards the Imperial Palace. Fortunately, so far, I haven’t encountered anything that could be a threat.

Phew

I sighed in relief as I wandered around the Imperial Palace.

Let’s see, let’s see… How about flowers? No one hates flowers…

Besides, wouldn’t it be better because it’s a flower grown in the Imperial Palace? Let’s choose carefully! Even if I bring him some fruit like before, there are so many more delicious things now… Yeah, yeah! Let’s choose flowers!

I felt at ease after making the decision. Whisking my wings toward the garden, I thought about what flower to choose – and then suddenly, I came to my senses.

—Wait, but why did I want to present it to Karmeut? Obviously, the reason I went out is…

…Arghh! I remembered about earlier!! There were times when it was good, but there were times when I was ashamed and embarrassed that I wanted to kick the blanket!! Of course, it’s not that I hate it, but the thought of wanting to continue is making me want to kick a blanket! I’m a crow, so I can’t kick a blanket!

Uh, well… I even went to the garden, it’s not good to just go, is it…?

Oh no! This is not like that!! Yeah, Karmeut helped me once or twice! He even saved my life! If Karmeut didn’t come to rescue me when I was kidnapped by Luwellin…

As I thought about it, I could feel the fear creeping up my spine, and I felt goosebumps.

…probably I will never forget it. At least, I won’t easily forget the memories.

But why didn’t I have ever thought of it until now?

I sat on a branch and pondered. When I smelled the pleasant scent of flowers and grass on the tip of my nose, I seemed to calm down.

[-Rainelle]

I looked around because I thought I could hear Karmeut’s voice. –But there was no human figure to be seen.

Oh yeah. It was thanks to Karmeut. He approached me slowly so as not to make me startled or scared, he even asked for permission. He turned into a wolf when I thought it was really unbearable.

When I thought about it that far, I felt like my conscience was stabbing me.

Yeah, how much did he help me?

So, I’d better give him a gift…

I looked around as it was a place where the gardeners of the Imperial Palace carefully cared for and maintained, the pretty flowers that I had never seen before were in full bloom. They seemed natural, but it would not be easy to give that impression when it was cultivated by people, but the place where the two coexist seemed amazing and beautiful.

“Caaw? (What would be good?)”

Ah, it’s rather hard to choose! This one is pretty, and that one is pretty too! Uh, what would be good? What would be good? Because Karmeut is a golden wolf, wolf, wolf…

…that flower? No, no! That’s poisonous! I could die while picking it!

…uh, how about that one? It’s pretty!

I spread my wings and flew over.

Whoa… it’s beautiful! A golden flower?

The thin petals overlapped like a rose, but it felt different from a rose. How can I say it? Somehow, roses have a firm and sturdy feeling, but this flower is heavenly and light, so it seemed that if you shake the flower a little bit, the petals will flutter?

I flapped my wings slightly. Then, as I had imagined, the petals fluttered. As it swayed, I felt a bit better when I saw the pollen, which was as fine and shiny as gold dust, flew away.

Good! Let’s give this as a gift! I think it’s perfect for Karmeut, who can turn into a golden wolf!

Feeling good, I puffed up my feathers.

Good good! This is really pretty!! I’m going to have to cut it…

I bit the stem of the flower with my beak over and over to cut it when I suddenly heard a voice,

“Rainelle, what are you doing here?”

“Kakk?! (Ahhh?!) “

I almost jumped(?) in place at the voice of an unexpected person in an unexpected place. What, what, what, what?!

He turned my head toward where the voice came from. Over there, was Namuel. He was wearing his glasses and blinking his eyes slowly as if puzzled.

“Caw! (Hello!)”

I bowed my head and waved one wing in greeting.

…But why is Namuel in the Imperial Garden?

***

Notes:

1 Kestrel: any of several small birds of prey of the genus Falco (family Falconidae) known for their habit of hovering while hunting. Kestrels prey on large insects, birds, and small mammals.↩