<CHAPTER 12>
Please Take Care of Me with Love
“Ah, it fell down the chimney suddenly yesterday.
At first, it was really fierce, but after I fed it some dragon meat, it seems to have opened up to me.
It’s very gentle and well-behaved.”
To show Rek how gentle the crow was, Ehilie hugged it tightly and stroked it softly.
The more she did, the more Rek’s face twisted.
His expression showed deep dissatisfaction and a hint of jealousy.
“Why does he look so upset?”
She did not think for long before realizing the reason.
“Right. A lot of people here hate crows too.”
Just like in her past life, in the Rudmekian Empire, crows were considered ominous creatures.
That was because their main habitat was the Demon Realm.
But Ehilie was not easily swayed by such prejudice.
“Do you dislike crows, Rek?”
“No. I do not dislike them.
If anything, I rather like them.”
Phew, that was a relief.
Just as she relaxed, he added something shocking.
“To the point that I want to fry and eat them immediately.”
“W-What…? F-Fry them?”
“Caw?!”
She screamed and hugged the crow tighter.
“It was a joke.”
“Are you sure? You looked really serious just now.”
“I am not very good at joking.”
She nodded.
Someone as kind as Rek could not be serious about something so horrible.
“Anyway, that’s a relief.
I was thinking of raising this little one.”
“By raising it… you mean keeping it here?”
“Yes.
I don’t know if it wants to stay with me, but… I’ll take care of it with love until its wing heals.”
“……With love?”
“Yes.
I’ll pet it every day and cherish it.”
“……”
“Look.
Isn’t it so cute and gentle?”
She carefully lifted the crow.
Rek’s eyebrows tightened.
He stared at it as if in a staring contest.
At the same time, the crow shrank its wings like it had met a natural enemy.
It looked down and cried weakly.
“C-Caw… Caaaw……”
What was wrong with it?
She checked worriedly.
“Indeed.
Very… cute.”
His broken speech carried strange force.
Was he really admiring it?
Just then, the crow flapped.
“Caw! Caaaw!”
“Ah, why is it suddenly doing that?”
The crow jumped up and landed on Rek’s shoulder.
Then it rubbed its face against his neck like a cat.
“Oh my.
I think it likes you, Rek.”
She pouted.
“It was so wary of me, but it’s clinging to him without even being fed.”
Do animals like good-looking people too?
If so, she would not lose.
Feeling jealous, she pulled out her secret weapon.
Dragon meat.
When she waved it gently, the crow’s eyes shone and it flew back to her.
Watching this, Rek raised one corner of his lips slightly.
“Ah… so that’s how it is.”
While pecking at the meat, the crow shivered.
“So that’s why you were acting cute toward a human who isn’t even your owner.
You fell for a few snacks……”
Though his voice was flat, it carried pressure.
Ehilie felt puzzled.
Owner?
“Rek, does this crow have an owner?”
“Yes.”
“Ah……”
No wonder it trusted people so easily.
It was not wild.
She felt disappointed.
Noticing her feelings, Rek whispered gently.
“Do not worry, Ehilie.
I am that owner.”
Holding the crow’s nape, he continued.
“If you want it, I will give it to you.”
“W-What? You can’t!”
“Why not?
Didn’t you want it?”
“You said you’re its owner.
Pets are family.
How can you give away your precious family so easily?”
She felt disappointed in him.
Seeing her pout, he corrected himself.
“I think you misunderstood.”
“Ehilie, I am trying to win you over.”
“……What?”
“If this one stays here, I will have an excuse to visit you every day.”
Her heart clenched.
“Rek, I……”
She could not finish.
He spoke softly.
“Yes, I know.
There is no place for me in your heart yet.”
“Not yet.”
He had not given up.
“So, Ehilie.”
He covered her hand and interlaced their fingers.
Then he guided her hand to his black hair.
His soft hair tickled her palm.
“Stroke me every day.”
He moved her hand again.
This time, his soft lips touched her fingers.
“And take care of me with love.”
Peck—
The light kiss sounded like thunder in her ears.
* * *
“I’ll take this little guy outside for some fresh air.”
As soon as he left, she collapsed.
Her heart raced.
“He only touched my hand and kissed my finger.
How can that be so stimulating?”
He felt like a nine-tailed fox.
“Get a grip.”
Yet relief filled her heart.
He had not given up.
* * *
Away from her eyes, his dry gaze returned.
Redemberg grabbed Herond by the wing and lifted him.
Herond begged in terror.
“Your Majesty, I’m sorry!”
“For what?”
“E-Everything!”
“Be specific.”
He pressured him.
“Ehilie seems to like you.”
Jealousy flashed.
“It’s a misunderstanding!”
“My eyes are wrong?”
“N-No!
She likes me quite a bit!”
“Human woman?”
“E-Ehilie!”
“You’re already calling her by name?”
Herond panicked.
He wanted to pray.
But his god was Redemberg.
“Please spare me!”
“Am I a tyrant?”
He tilted his head.
Herond searched for escape.
“Your Majesty! I heard something important from her!”
“Something you didn’t tell me?”
“It was about you!”
Redemberg’s face softened.
Herond realized.
“His Majesty truly loves her.”
