Of All Things, I Became a Crow

movement had stopped.

“Her Highness the Princess is over there.”

What?! Have we already arrived?

When I suddenly leaned forward, I almost fell off his arm, but I tightened my claws, returned my balance, and turned my head to look around.

Sepia, who happened to be in the garden, was looking straight ahead on a well-organized road with people who were unknown if they were maids or nannies.

Then Sepia's eyes turned my way.
But she immediately puffed up her cheeks and turned her head away.

Huh?!

“Ca, Caaw? (Se, Sepia?)”

“Humph! I hate crows!!”

She, she hates me?! Why?! I didn't do anything, but I got told off by a cute little girl!!

I stared at Sepia with my beak wide open and flew near her. Then I landed near her feet and pulled at the child’s skirt carefully, but the child refused to look at me.

Uhu, uhu…
I’m hated…

My wings drooped.
I don't think there was a need to scratch my heart myself if the child hated me.

…she doesn’t like me, so I have to back off.
Haah…

*flap-*

I flew up and landed on a nearby branch.
Then I began to pick feathers with my beak.

Oh, it’s like a punishment.

Looking down, I saw Galenos standing awkwardly in place.
I also sneaked a glance at Sepia even though I might be too obvious.

—Ugh! She said she hated crows! A big hit!

Oh, but if Sepia doesn't welcome me, I really have nowhere to go. How good it is if I’m a beautiful, flashy, and brilliant bird! Then people will be amazed and I’ll be happy wherever I go!

‘Crows are a masked plague! Unlucky! Bring death!!’ –Come on…

—Although my human form is so pretty like a goddess, what if my original form wasn't a crow? It's not that I don't have any regrets…

Uh, where should I go…
Or should I visit Namuel?

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I was contemplating whether I should go to the most popular target when I heard a familiar voice,

“Sepia, so you were here.”

“Oh, Elder brother!”

!! Kamut came here?! What are you doing here?! Did you come to see Sepia?

When I turned my head while suppressing my pounding heart, the familiar golden color caught my eyes.
Karmeut, who came to this place while being accompanied by servants, hugged Sepia and gave a playful kiss on the child's cheek.

“Brother, there…”

When the child pointed to me with her finger, I turned away.

Hmph! I'm sulking at Karmeut, and Sepia, you said you didn't like me! Hmph!

“Rainelle is here? But why does she look sulky?

“But the crow deceived me first!”

“—Rainelle? How?”

Huh? What do I lie about?

I didn't dare to turn my head back, so I just pricked up my ears while sitting there. Then, whether she was angry or emotional, the child's high voice came along with a sound that seemed to be coming from her waving arms.

“She didn't tell me that she could turn into a person! I hate Elder brother too! You didn't tell me that she could turn into such a pretty person! I was so surprised at the coronation ceremony! I'm mad because you didn't tell Sepia first!”

…Aah!! It turns out that it's because of Karmeut that Sepia didn't know why.
Kakk!!

My feathers swelled to the fullest. I seriously considered whether I should hit Karmeut in the face or not.

Ah, the more I think about it, the more I want to!

Reflexively, I flew to hit Karmeut's face.

—But if I injure his handsome face, it’s humanity’s loss, so I’ll try to avoid using my beak and claws as much as I can and hit him!

Rainelle slaps him in the face! It’s very effective!

—Feeling the illusion of hearing the sound effect of XXX1, I confirmed that Karmeut's head was swung back, then I landed on the branch again.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!”

“Brother!”

“Oh, it's okay…
Nothing big.
It's okay.”

Of course it is okay! It's all on you! Humph!!

I screamed and puffed up my feathers to the fullest in anger.
Karmeut briefly sighed and talked to me with a face full apology,

“I'm sorry, Rainelle, did you get angry because I didn't tell her beforehand?”

You didn't tell me first, and you also didn't talk to Sepia!!

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With a heart full of annoyance, I stamped my feet in place (although there was only a tapping sound) and flapped my wings. Then Sepia opened her eyes wide and said,

“Didn't the crow, didn’t Rainelle know?”

“Ah, I was the one not saying anything because I wanted to surprise Rainelle and Sepia.”

Then the child puffed up her cheeks and pounded Karmeut's chest.

“Well, then Rainelle deserves to be angry! Elder brother you fool! I didn’t know anything and was angry because I thought Rainelle deceived me!”

“You did?”

“Yes!!”

There was nothing but an embarrassed smile in the golden eyes that I saw, but I still turned my head so that it was obvious that I was still angry.

Karmeut, your sins are known!!

“Rainelle, I'm sorry! I don't know anything and just get angry! Come here, will you?”

Sepia, who jumped out from Karmeut's arms, rushed under the tree where I was sitting.
The eyes of the child were shining innocently, so I infinitely felt pity after being sulky to the child.

Still, I can't sit on Sepia's arms or her shoulders-that might hurt her tender skin-, so I landed in front of her.
Then Sepia squatted down and swept my back.

Her stroking was a bit heavy. Since she was not good at controlling her strength, it felt like I'm being pressed down.
Still, I fully understood the child's mind, so I accepted her touch calmly.

“Rainelle.
Can't you change into a human?”

I can refuse to turn into a human, but…

-it’s because Sepia is so pretty! It's not because of Karmeut! Hmph!!

“Now, what do you think? I changed to human as Sepia wanted.”

I saw the child looking up as I suddenly grew tall.

Aww, cute.

Sepia's cheeks were red as she leaned on her knees and faced me with her eyes.

“Rainelle …
so pretty…
!!”

“—really? I'm pretty?”

“Yeah! Pretty!! You’re the prettiest person I’ve ever seen!”

The voice and expression that were filled with innocence made me feel good.
So I smiled and replied,

“Sepia is also very pretty.”

“Thank you, Rainelle! But it's a waste.
Why have you been hiding it all this time? You’re really pretty!”

***

 Notes:

1  XXX: A game, like Pokemon.↩