Chapter 101: 101

*Rainelle’s POV

Aria seemed shocked by the word "idiot" until she put both of her hands on the floor. I was so impressed with the perfectly OTL1 pose.

"I, I can't believe I'm being called an idiot by Rainelle..."

"---Huh? Wait. Are you saying that I shouldn't be calling you an idiot?"

"Of course... Huhu, Rainelle is a crow, right? The feeling is like being called an idiot by a parrot!"

"...I was a human in my previous life!"

"But not now! Put your hand on your chest and say it! Can you say it's the same as when you were a human?!"

"Ha?! It's the part that I'm still feeling wounded about! It's like I'm losing my intelligence after possessing a crow!!"

I breathed heavily. Even after I say it, my heart hurts fiercely!

I have admitted it to myself, but when I tell others about it---!!

"I, I was already aware of it, but to stab me with it... Even I wanted to at least possess a human body like you..."

I mumbled as I watched Aria's expression soften at those words.

“Because I’m a crow, I at least could have the intelligence of a six or seven years old human. Maybe I could have ended up being more stupid? I would just rely on my instincts. If I felt threatened, I would run away. If there was prey, I would approach it. Then I could be caught or killed. Maybe I wouldn’t even think to stick to humans in the first place."

If I ended up possessing a different animal, would I have been an animal right after coming here, forgetting that I was a human?

I sighed at the imagination. I was depressed just thinking about it. Seeing me like this, Aria patted me on the shoulder.

"...It’s been hard on you."

"Haa... Nothing changed, so I tried not to think about it. Do you know how awful it is to feel like you're getting more and more stupid?"

The feeling of becoming simpler in terms of thinking and forgetting things that should be remembered. I was beginning to think deeper about it, but then I shook my head to shake it off.

Even if I keep dwelling on it, nothing will change. I can't change it. There's nothing I can do.

"...I made a slip of the tongue. I'm sorry."

“No, it’s okay. I didn’t even bother with that.”

"...and, frankly, for being in the possession of an animal, your way of thinking was intact. It’s simple, but it can also be said to be cute."

"...cute?"

"You're not like an ugly seven-year-old, you’re a cute crow! Rainelle doesn't know her charm, but you have so much!"

"Isn't that because you're a bird fanatic?!"

“No way. That’s basic.”

"Basic?!"

"Above all, hasn’t Karmeut been with Rainelle even when you’re only a crow? You can tell just by looking at that."

"You... You just use Karmeut to say that!"

"You can't deny it, can you?"

"...aahhh! Whatever!!"

I saw Aria continue to pat my shoulder while saying with a carefree voice: “If you’re cute, it’s fine.”

Well, they said that [the sister-in-law who tries to stop the mother-in-law is more hateful (disliked) than the mother-in-law who beats (the daughter-in-law)]2, right? Is that a little weird? Ah, anyway!!

"I don't know why we talk about this, but what will you do about the Crobanlock?"

"I have to give it to him... Ugh, but there are many variables, so I'm not sure if giving it is the right thing to do."

Saying so, Aria shrugged her shoulders and continued,

"Giving it to him is also a problem in itself. He will surely ask me why I give such a precious fruit to him. I have to think about what to answer."

"Can't you just say that you’re giving it to him since you’ve got it?"

“Isn’t that too simple for something so precious?”

"You don't have to think too complicatedly. It's a precious fruit, but you’re giving it to Namuel because you want to help him as much as you can. How about that?"

Aria was silent.

"...That may be true…?"

"Right? Didn't you think too complicatedly? ---Of course, if it's me, it’s just semi-compulsory simple thinking."

After taking a deep breath, I continued,

"So, you’ve gotta do it!"

"Ahh! In the original version, if the player doesn’t hit a certain level of favorability, the target will die, you know?!"

"There's no guarantee that he'll eat it, right? If he eats it, it'll go according to the rules of the game, but..."

"Ahhhhh! It's crazy! Why does the game have to be like that?!"

"Aria, there’s a saying like this."

"...a saying?"

“That it’s easier to give up.”

"I can't give up!!"

When she said that, she pouted.

"Then what are you going to do? You say you like Namuel. Don’t you want to catch him?"

"Of course I do! But---!!"

"How would you know when you don’t do it? Are you going to give it to him or not? If it's better not to give it to him, just throw it away, or dispose of it yourself, then won't your worries go away?"

"That’s true, but..."

It wasn't that I didn't fully understand Aria's inability to make the decision easily, so I lightly shrugged my shoulders.

"If you want to give him the Crobanlock and need my strength, tell me anytime. I will help you."

Aria nodded her head slightly at the words. I got up from my seat, feeling my mood lightened in the atmosphere that seemed to have been roughly resolved.

"Then I'll go. What Aria told me earlier... I’ll try to do it. And if it's a little later, Karmeut will be worried..."

"...The Crobanlock, I guess I should give it to him, right?"

When she said that, I stopped trying to change into a crow.

"It's up to Namuel to decide what to do with it, but... I don't think I'll have any regrets if I try everything I can."

Aria was looking at me with determined eyes. She continued,

"Above all, there’s my pride of love! If I fall in love, I have to win by any means!”

I burst into laughter at the sight of Aria clenching her fists.

"Okay! What do you want me to do, then?"

"Ummm... Please come back in three days. I'm going to write a letter until then."

"You want me to deliver it, don’t you?"

Aria nodded her head at that, and I nodded back to signify that I got it. After that, I returned to my crow appearance.

I have to get back. Otherwise, Karmeut will be worried. Plus... it's a bit embarrassing, but I should try the method Aria taught me!

I flew high into the sky by riding the wind. As I flew quickly towards the Imperial Palace, my mind went to Karmeut, and what happened last night.

...Ugh, the more I think about last night, the more ashamed I get, so I have to stop thinking about it! If not, I might end up running away to Aria’s place again!

I was almost reaching the Imperial Palace as I struggled to shake off the thought.

I was taken by surprise at something that swished past my ear, so I immediately raised the altitude.

What?! What was that?

"It's a crow!"

"Ugh, bad luck---! Why is there a crow?"

When I looked over, there was a grumbling middle aged-man and a boy who looked about six or seven years old. The boy grabbed the man's hand and shook it.

"Daddy! I threw a stone to keep it away!"

"Well done, my son. You have to get rid of those black and unlucky crows, okay?"

"Yeah! I hate crows! They messed up the trash can everyday and are so noisy!"

The two of them continued to go on their way while talking about miscellaneous things, judging that I ran away when I flew higher. For some reason, even though I was far away, it felt like their voices were stuck in my ears.

...I didn't do anything.

That was the first thought I had.

I didn't do anything, but a stone came at me. I could have been hit in the head and fell, then…

I felt like my feathers were standing up.

I'm glad it missed, but if I were to get hit, I would have fallen and died.

Without delay, I flapped my wings to get to a very high altitude.

I didn't want to get stoned. Even more so when I get stoned when I haven't done anything.

After going through something like that, I understood why the male crow was so fast and strong.

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The humans are attacking, so if you're not fast and strong, you'll get beaten.

My heart began to burn with anger.

It must have been difficult to eat in peace. You never know when someone will come and throw stones or swing a stick at you.

They may not understand what humans were saying, but it was still bad to hear people say you're unlucky or that they don't like you even though you haven't done anything.

...I know that animals can feel emotions depending on the tone of voice.

I crossed the wall of the Imperial Palace while my mind was all over the place.

I don't think I'll calm down if I go back to the room as it is now. So, I should go back after calming myself down by going around the Imperial Palace a few times.

I was wandering around the Imperial Palace like that, and I noticed two people in one of the gardens.

Looking at their clothes, I don't think they are gardeners or servants... Are they nobles? Just the two of them in the corner of the garden?

My heart pounded slightly as if I was secretly eavesdropping on something important.

What are they talking about? Wouldn't it be a good thing to tell Karmeut? People who speak in the corner like that usually don’t speak good things, right?

That was why I quietened my flapping wings as much as I could and carefully landed on a nearby tree.

Although I grumbled slightly inwardly, my eyes and ears were focused on the two nobles. These nobles had stylish beards and looked to be in their forties. They were frowning as if dissatisfied.

"I don't know why His Majesty... appoint a mere crow as the next Empress."

"Well, of course, its human form is quite similar to the real one, but isn’t it still no more than a flying beast?"

...uh.

“It’s just a flying animal that only has the talent to change into a human. Isn’t it more fitting for it to be a slave?"

"No ability, no family background. It literally fell from the sky. Becoming the next Empress over my daughter... tsk, tsk."

"Ha? You dare to say that? Is your daughter good enough to be the Emperor's partner?"

"At least, she’s a hundred times, no, a thousand times better than a crow that only has the talent to transform into a human!"

"Haha! If that's the case, wouldn't it be better if my daughter takes the spot?"

"Ugh---! Anyway, His Majesty the Emperor is still inexperienced. Let’s wait a little longer. Isn’t His Majesty a wise man?"

“I know, he’s a wise man, so sooner or later, he will realize that having a noble girl as a companion instead of a crow is better for the Empire.”

"Who saved your life is one thing, and deciding on a partner is another thing... I hope he can make the wise decision soon."

"I'd rather have the crow suddenly disappear somewhere."

"Shh! Be quiet! Don't you know how much His Majesty pampered the crow now?!"

"I'm not saying anything wrong. It's just a crow! Many people think that it's better for that deadly unlucky bird to disappear!"

"That’s true. Sometimes I get goosebumps when I feel the big, shiny black bird flying over my head. I feel like it’s going to rush over to me and stab my eyes."

"I know."

The nobles seemed to converse like this, knowing that this place was in a very remote place among the gardens of the Imperial Palace. When I looked around, I could only see a few faraway guards.

They continued talking about me for a while and then left. Of course, the content of their conversation was never favorable to me.

...a summary of their conversation went something like this:

‘That unlucky flying beast with nothing but the talent of transforming into a human is better off dead.’

‘How amazing it is that such a flying beast is occupying the position of the next Empress!’

I'm angry... I'm really angry and resentful, but what they said was all true. It was sad that I can't think of anything to refute.

 

*3rd person POV

Karmeut paced around the room nervously.

He came back after doing his work in a flash, but he was shocked to find out that Rainelle wasn't there.

Only after calling the Marquis Albion and confirming that she was in the Gwynell’s manor could Karmeut be relieved, but he does not take his eyes off the window.

"Rainelle!"

"Huh? Karmeut? You're early, aren't you?"

Karmeut took a step closer to Rainelle, whose eyes were wide open as if she was surprised, and narrowed his brows.

"I finished work early... But where have you been?"

At that, Rainelle shrank her shoulders and looked into his eyes.

"...Are you mad?"

"You overworked yesterday, but you went out, so I’m worried. I'm sorry if I seemed angry."

Karmeut, who apologized briefly, hugged and carried Rainelle like that. Perhaps startled by sudden actions, she let out a short scream as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The golden eyes curved with satisfaction.

"But, I want you to tell me before you go anywhere. Or else I’ll be worried."

"...Even though I just went to Aria’s place for a bit?"

"I know that, but...'

As he sat her gently on the sofa, Karmeut whispered,

"Because something happened last night."

Rainelle’s face flared up at the words. Karmeut smiled quietly at the sight and then kissed her lightly on her cheek.

"Gee, really---!!"

“If you react like that, I will want to tease you more, you know?”

"Hey, don't do that!"

He laughed at Rainelle’s red cheeks and moved his head away.

"Okay, okay. By the way... I came back early after I worked hard. Aren't you going to give me a 'reward'?"

Rainelle opened her eyes wide at Karmeut's stealthy whisper. Then she replied, biting her lower lip lightly.

“Um, to be honest, it makes me shy if you say it openly like that.”

"Oh... is that so?"

Karmeut's stopped advancing and he retreated with a sad expression on his face. But then he blinked slowly due to a white hand that held the hem of his clothes without letting go. A voice that seemed to tickle reached Karmeut's ear.

"Uh, um, I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you."

Karmeut's eyes filled with anticipation as she mumbled, "So, lower your head."

She slowly leaned forward and placed her arms around his neck. Then, Karmeut could feel a soft and moist touch that fell on his cheek lightly.

"You, you did a great job today. I, so I..."

Rainelle hesitated for a bit. Seeing such a lovely figure in front of him, Karmeut’s heart tightened with anticipation, and he heard her voice,

"Ka-, if Karmeut is okay with it... I, I wish you can come back as early as today. Be, because I want to be with you..."

Her voice was really small, but he could hear it clearly.

Were the words a signal? Karmeut turned into a wolf. Rainelle blinked her eyes and looked at the large wolf locked in her arms. He wagged his tail slowly.

The wolf stared at Rainelle who had stiffened in surprise and then he pushed her down with his huge body.

"Ka, Karmeut? Now, wait... you’re heavy, so step back..."

The wolf, growling softly at Rainelle's attempt to push him away, opened his maw and put Rainelle's neck between his jaws.

Rainelle felt the sharp teeth on the nape of her neck. She suddenly stiffened.

A growl sounded out. The wolf's tongue gently licked her neck, as if trying to soothe the stiffened Rainelle.

"Ka, Karmeut..."

The wolf’s ears pricked at the seemingly terrified voice. The wolf, who licked the back of her neck a few more times with regret, moved his snout away.

Rainelle touched her damp neck with one hand and breathed heavily.

The wolf, who made a small whining sound, rubbed his cheek against Rainelle’s own cheek.

Rainelle trembled lightly as she felt as if she had been on the receiving end of instincts that had been hidden under gentleness, which she had never seen before.

The wolf kept looking at her. Then he laid his chin on Rainelle's lap and began purring.

The wolf's actions seemed to tell her not to worry because he won't do anything. Rainelle’s purple eyes trembled slightly.

Then, carefully, her trembling hand reached out towards the wolf's snout.

The wolf, watching it silently, stuck out his tongue and licked her fingers. He then thrust his head into her palm and purred with satisfaction.

Rainelle rolled her eyes at the wolf's action as if it had gotten what he wanted.

The wolf didn't growl or showed his teeth anymore. He was just a gentle, soft wolf who enjoyed her touch.

 

***

 Notes:

1  O is the head, T is the arms and body, while L is the legs. And so, it’s the OTL pose.↩

2  A Korean proverb. The figurative meaning is: The person who pretends to be nice to you on the outside but who slanders you on the inside is more hateful. So Rainelle is thinking that it’s not a bad thing that Aria is straightforward. ↩

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