Episode 06
Damn it.
Had there ever been a moment when I questioned my very existence this much?
I wanted to disappear. If an earthquake struck right now and only the spot I was in sank straight into the ground, I would welcome it with open arms.
“Haha, Your Highness seems quite fond of that bird.”
Count Monahan looked as though he might roast me alive with his glare.
And Clements, utterly unfazed, replied:
“Isn’t it adorable?”
He even asked—as if he had no idea what he was doing to everyone around him.
The Count, who had no choice but to agree, looked like he was dying inside.
Before the Crown Prince, even my all-powerful employer was nothing more than a powerless subordinate.
“…Indeed. Truly… I have never seen such a… cute chick before, Your Highness…”
“No matter how lovely it is, do refrain from staring so intensely. If such a small creature were to be startled and fall ill, it would pain me greatly.”
The Count’s knuckles turned white around his fork.
He probably wanted to skewer me with it.
For a fleeting moment, I imagined the torture chamber rumored to exist beneath the estate—the Count, wearing a twisted smile, slowly stabbing forks into my body one by one.
…Damn it. For eight years, I had secretly snuck his precious sister into the forest countless times without getting caught—and now I might be tortured just because I turned into a chick for a single day?
But Count, believe me—
I want His Highness to stop paying attention to me and look at your sister just as desperately as you do.
No, scratch that.
I want it even more than you do.
Even as I tried desperately to tilt my head, silently pleading look to the side, look to the side, Clements simply gazed at me and smiled like a painting.
That smile… was supposed to be for Bella.
Bella, dressed in black and deep crimson, looked exactly as she had in the novel. The colors accentuated her mysterious blue eyes.
Thankfully—
She was looking at Clements.
Then, she spoke.
“This chick resembles a maid I keep by my side.”
“Ppi—!”
Wait—chicks sneeze?!
A few grains scattered from the force of it, and Clements gently tapped my back.
Had Bella noticed something? Did she understand my predicament? My frustration?
I stomped my tiny feet, but as always, her indifferent blue eyes revealed nothing.
“Is that so?”
But that was enough.
For the first time, Clements gave Bella a meaningful glance.
Until now, all his attention had been on me, reducing Bella to nothing more than a beautiful backdrop.
But now—
Their eyes met.
Topaz-like gold and amethyst.
That was it.
Bella was his destined partner—undeniable.
And she was breathtakingly beautiful.
After this, everything should fall into place.
So what if the first step stumbled a little? The road ahead stretched endlessly, filled with blooming flowers.
Perhaps, someday, this absurd incident would even become a fond memory.
If they grew closer through talking about me—
Well, as an extra, that would be an honor.
“Yes. She’s small and cute, just like this chick. She has bright golden hair, and her eyes are like gold as well. Her name is Ophelia.”
Bella… saying such kind things about me…!
“I see.”
“I sent her on a simple errand this morning, but she hasn’t returned yet.”
“An errand?”
“Yes. To the forest… to gather some herbs.”
She left out all mention of the fog forest and Havil roots.
Good, Bella! Well done!
“Herbs? I would expect a count’s estate to already have most supplies. Yet you sent your maid personally.”
“She tends to take my tasks as her own. There are things she insists on doing herself.”
“You seem quite knowledgeable about herbs.”
Yes! Yes!
Finally—a proper conversation!
I glanced over—Count Monahan was wearing a faintly satisfied smile.
I had no affection for that man, who treated his sister as nothing more than a tool for his ambition, but for now, we shared the same goal.
Across the table, Marquis Dupre observed quietly, continuing his meal. He was probably the only one actually eating properly.
As the Count, now in better spirits, lifted his wine glass and made small talk, servants brought more dishes.
Finally, I felt like I could eat in peace.
After sipping water several times, I buried my beak back into the grains.
…Honestly, this was embarrassing. Eating like this in such an elegant setting. But with a tiny beak, I could only take in so much at once.
So naturally—
I ate faster.
Hopefully, nothing like this would ever happen again…
“It’s getting quite late. I hope your maid returns soon.”
Well… technically, I already have.
“She’s likely fine. She probably finished her errand and got distracted—perhaps stopping by a sweets shop or a bookstore.”
“Ppi—!”
I nearly choked.
Okay, yes—sometimes I did stop by for snacks or novels after errands. But to have that exposed directly to the male lead?!
Is this what it means to be the heroine’s maid?!
Still… I felt a strange sense of joy.
Their conversation flowed so naturally. It felt like the novel, but richer.
At this rate, they might grow close even faster.
Hehe…!
As I made a rather un-chick-like noise, both of them glanced at me.
Bella’s blue eyes shimmered as she spoke:
“Still, I cannot help but worry. Your Highness… may I keep the chick with me until my maid returns?”
!!
This was it!
I chirped happily.
If Clements handed me to Bella, everything would be solved.
He would earn points with her.
I could escape before reverting.
Bella would naturally find her missing maid.
A perfect exchange.
Love blooming through the passing of a chick!
Even if unintentional—our Bella was brilliant.
I could already imagine it:
“Your Highness, thanks to the chick you lent me, I was comforted. My maid has returned safely.”
“If such a small creature can ease your heart, then I shall give you as many as you wish.”
“Don’t exaggerate. That would be too much for someone like me.”
She would act indifferent—but inside, her heart would crack open like stone splitting under heat.
And within—
Something warm, sticky, and sweet would begin to bloom.
Hehehe… hehehehe!
Even the Count looked pleased, ready to chime in enthusiastically—
But then—
“…Lady Monahan.”
The atmosphere froze.
Even Marquis Dupre and the servants stiffened.
What…?
I, too, couldn’t process it.
“That was presumptuous.”
…What?
Did he really just say that?
Clements Lestar Dussingen—
The man who was supposed to love Bella more than anyone in the world?
Bella let out a small breath and stood, bowing her head.
“I apologize for my rudeness.”
“Y-Your Highness, did my sister say something improper—?”
The Count hurried to intervene, but Clements ignored him.
“Whether person, animal, or object—what belongs to me should be treated with due respect. Especially if you understand who I am.”
“…You are the sole Crown Prince of this empire.”
What was this?
All this… over a chick?
And now even Bella’s gaze—when she looked up at him—held a faint sharpness.
Like sparks colliding between gemstones—
Their eyes clashed with hostility, tearing my heart apart.
What is this?!
Guys, please!
Just fall in love already!
The atmosphere collapsed.
The dinner, once meant to brim with tension and budding romance, now sank into suffocating silence.
And then—
“I’ll take my leave.”
A large, pale hand extended toward me.
Even now, he intended to take me personally.
His violet eyes were tinged with faint displeasure.
I tried—desperately—to resist.
Flapping, shaking my head, anything I could do.
Even if it looked unnatural for a chick—
Because I had to protect this once-in-a-lifetime romance.
No, wait. What are you doing?!
If you leave now, the story derails completely!
Even if Bella made a mistake, just let it go this once!
She’s your destined partner!
You’ll fall for her soon anyway—that’s how it’s supposed to go!
If you leave like this, you’ll regret treating her harshly over a single chick!
Of course, what actually came out of my mouth was:
“Ppiyak. Ppiyak. Ppiyak. Ppiyak? Ppiyak. Ppi—!”
Aaaah! I’m going insane!!
Naturally, Clements couldn’t understand a word.
“Do you want more? I’ll give you as much as you like once we return to my room.”
Gently—but firmly—he picked me up.
And just like that—
The banquet that should have been filled with lingering glances and the beginning of love…
Fell into utter silence.
It’s over.
This is really, completely ruined.
