• Chapter 39 – A Small Visitor

“I’ll be back before dinner.”

“Yes, my lady. Have a safe trip.”

Three days had passed much faster than expected since I sent the letter announcing my visit to the Bayron Orphanage.

Though I had agreed with the butler to work only four hours a day and had left the office with some paperwork still unfinished, he firmly escorted me out.

During that time, I enjoyed quiet walks under the sun and made a habit of sipping chilled ilang tea alone in the garden.

When the light breeze brushed gently between my neck and hair, I would close my eyes and smile without realizing, sinking deep into the chair.

The warm sunlight seemed to lull me to sleep, and the chirping of birds in the garden felt like a lullaby.

Whenever I dozed off in that peaceful warmth, I would wake to find a fresh cup of tea and cookies on the table, clearly left as a message from the staff to rest a bit longer. And gladly, I stayed.

It seemed my bloody coughing episode had left quite a shock, and everyone had banded together to watch over me, making sure I got the rest I needed.

As the doctor advised, I was to take care of my body for a while, and I thoroughly appreciated the pampering.

Sometimes, when a sharp pain nudged at my stomach or chest and I subconsciously held the area, the staff—who had been watching from the sidelines—would immediately report it to the physician, regardless of my wishes.

These sweet, meddling attentions were something I’d never experienced since entering the Duke’s estate. I decided to simply pretend not to notice.

And so, the peaceful days passed, and the day of my visit to the orphanage arrived.

I wore a vibrant sky-blue dress, adorned with rich navy ribbons and the brooch gifted by Sai. Then I stepped outside.

At the estate gates, three knights awaited by the carriage. Among them were some familiar faces that made me smile as I approached.

“Sir Roim again today, I see.”

“Yes, my lady. Of course I’ll be escorting you personally.”

“I see. Oh! And Sir Chester too. I remember you from the Valeri baroness’s tea party. It’s nice to see you again.”

“It’s an honor to accompany you once more, my lady.”

Sir Chester greeted me with his usual warm smile. Then he nudged the unfamiliar knight beside him, prompting the man with a rather cold demeanor to bow slightly.

“I’m Keen. A pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

“Sir Keen, thank you all in advance for escorting me today.”

Naturally, Sir Roim stepped forward and offered his hand. I took it and boarded the carriage.

The door closed behind me, and the butler and staff waved goodbye as the carriage set off.

The skies were perfectly clear today, and the rhythmic sound of the horses’ hooves and the sight of colorfully wrapped gifts in the back filled me with excitement.

Eventually, the view outside changed to the bustling town market. Smiling fruit vendors, customers squabbling, and people carrying shopping baskets… It all looked so ordinary, so human. I found myself wanting to blend into their simple world.

As I leaned closer to the window, taking in this unfamiliar kind of joy—

SCREECH–

THUD–

The carriage came to an abrupt stop. My forehead smacked against the window from the sudden jolt.

“Ouch!”

“S-So sorry, my lady! Something suddenly darted out in front of us—!”

“My lady! Are you hurt?”

As I rubbed my forehead in confusion, Sir Roim urgently knocked on the door. I opened it and assured him I was fine, stepping outside.

I gestured to the flustered coachman that it was okay. Then I looked ahead—nothing there.

Rustle–

A small noise came from beneath the carriage, drawing murmurs from the gathering crowd.

Hearing it too, the knights turned toward the sound. I signaled toward the underside, and Sir Keen crouched down.

He reached swiftly under the carriage and jerked slightly—then withdrew his hand holding something.

“…A bird.”

A bird with deep navy feathers, a short red beak, and a white tail—about the size of a grown man’s fist. It stared around with sharp, triangular golden eyes, talons raised in warning.

Despite his blank expression, Sir Keen seemed none too fond of the creature and tossed it toward Sir Chester without hesitation.

With a bewildered expression—Why me? written all over his face—Sir Chester nonetheless caught the bird and checked its neck and legs for any tags or bands. There were none.

As the bird flailed in protest, its wings beating against his grip, I noticed something on its feathers.

“Sir Chester, I think its wing is injured.”

“Ah, yes. There’s blood on the tip— Aah!!”

The bird flapped violently when he touched the wounded spot, causing Chester to reflexively grip it tighter with a yelp.

“It’s because you’re pressing the injury. Let it go.”

“But what if it flies at you—?”

“I’ll be fine. There’s plenty of space to dodge.”

Reluctantly, he lowered the bird to the ground. Sensing the release, the bird quieted, waiting patiently. When Chester fully let go, it waddled over and pecked at his foot in revenge.

“Ack—! Hey!”

I laughed softly at the feisty creature.

It turned to stare at me with narrowed golden eyes, tilting its head. Then, with short little hops, it approached.

“My lady,” Sir Roim warned, stepping protectively in front of me. The bird flared its wings and let out a loud squawk, glaring at him with clear irritation.

What a dramatic little thing.

I reassured Roim and moved toward the bird. It blinked its eyes wide, then bounced over again.

“Oh?”

It circled me once, inspecting, then let out a soft chirp and pressed its body against the hem of my dress.

Chirp–chirp–chirp–

“How adorable.”

I bent down to offer my hand. It peeked at me, then looked away dramatically.

Up close, its feathers gleamed, well-maintained. When I gently stroked its head with a finger, it didn’t flinch. This one was clearly used to humans.

“My lady.”

Sir Roim quietly called me back to reality. Looking up, I realized the crowd was staring.

“Oh dear.”

Right. A noblewoman, in a fancy carriage, crouched on the street petting a bird… not exactly discreet.

Awkwardly, I straightened and turned to leave—but as I moved, I felt a tug. The bird was clinging to my dress.

“Oh my.”

Even when I pulled lightly, it wouldn’t let go. Before I could react, someone grabbed it and lifted it into the air.

Squawk!

“Sir Keen!”

Startled, I looked up to see Keen, having silently approached, holding the bird mid-air.

“You seemed troubled by it, my lady.”

“I was, but it’s just a young bird. Don’t be too rough.”

“This is a fully grown Balya species. They’re small but mature at this size.”

“I see. Still, it’s injured. Be gentle.”

As it squawked and squirmed, I approached, arms open. Keen handed it over, and the bird fluttered into my embrace.

Chirp–chirp–

It almost sounded like it was tattling on him.

I stroked it gently, and it snuggled deeper into my chest.

“I wonder who owns you.”

“It must belong to a noble. Balya birds are rare and expensive. But there’s no sign of anyone nearby who fits.”

“Did you get lost, little one?”

Chirp–

Looking around, I saw no clues. If its owner really was a noble, they likely weren’t from this area.

Deciding to take it with me for now, I boarded the carriage again, bird in tow.

As the door closed, it looked around with wide eyes. I patted its head and tapped its beak playfully. It closed its eyes in contentment.

“How lucky you were to fall in front of me. If your owner’s a noble, I’ll help you find them.”

I gently brushed its smooth little beak as I spoke, and it chirped back in response.

Carefully, I examined the injured wing. The wound was small, at the tip. When I touched it, the bird flapped in discomfort.

“Sorry, sorry. That hurt?”

Chirp–

This tiny creature, even with its grumpy behavior, clung so sweetly to me. When I shook my dress as a joke, it clung tighter, spinning once before curling up again.

“So clingy for a first meeting.”

Chirp.

“Why do you like me so much?”

Chirp–

Meeting my eyes, it stretched out and rubbed its head under my chin. I smiled at the soft, feathery touch.

The carriage’s abrupt stop had surprised me earlier—but now that I had this adorable guest, I didn’t mind. I almost wished more stops like that would happen.

“When we get to the orphanage, I’ll treat your wing. Just hang in there.”

Chirp–

As if answering me, it chirped again, making me laugh.

It looked up at my face, then curiously tapped my brooch with its beak.

“You like this?”

Chirp.

“I got it as a gift today. I’m on my way to visit the one who gave it to me.”

Chirp–

It poked the brooch a few more times, then, apparently bored, settled on my lap.

I stroked its back slowly, savoring the warm, soft feel. It began to doze off under my touch.

The past few quiet days felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake from—and today was just another gentle, happy moment in that dream.