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Chapter 11
Rosaria was very happy after finding out that the reason I had been sick was growth pain.
But for me, it wasn’t exactly something to be happy about.
“Lady Irene, from now on you’ll only get snacks three times a day.”
“Peep?”
“During a growth period, you need healthy food more often instead of snacks. Especially children who are about to humanize need extra care.”
“Pii… piiit…”
…Because my snacks were being reduced.
With this shocking news, I hugged my snack container full of star-shaped candies tightly.
These were the star candies Rosaria had given me one after every meal.
Since I still couldn’t eat large foods, they were my favorite snack.
They were the only treats I could safely and happily eat as a baby bird!
“Shall we put your snack box over there for now?”
“Peep!”
“I’ll prepare other snacks for you instead.”
Rosaria showed no sign of backing down. After a few more attempts to persuade her, I weakened and slowly looked away.
Those were my star candies!
Still holding the container tightly, Rosaria looked at me with a pained expression and placed a hand on her chest.
“My heart hurts too. I arranged them so neatly by color, but you can’t eat them anymore… you’re sad, right?”
“Peep.”
“Because they’re precious to you?”
“Peep.”
I had carefully collected them all.
Inside the box, white, yellow, and pink star candies sparkled evenly.
Seeing my reluctance, Rosaria sat down beside me.
“You’re not losing them forever. It’s just a short goodbye.”
“Peep peep…?”
“Yes, just for a little while. We’ll open it together when snack time comes. We’ll keep it over there.”
Rosaria pointed to a crystal shelf on the wall.
It was placed where I could always check on my candies.
Hmm… if that’s the case…
“Peep peep.”
I obediently handed over the snack box, and Rosaria smiled brightly.
“You’re so well-behaved, Lady Irene!”
“Peep!”
“I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare delicious snacks for you.”
“Peep!”
I felt happy after being praised.
Right, like Rosaria said, eating sugar isn’t good for me anyway.
And the chef uncle would give me tasty snacks instead!
I climbed from the bed onto the table. It was almost time for Rosaria to read me a picture book.
Nap time.
“Peep peep peep.”
“Yes, Lady Irene. Shall I read to you?”
“Peep!”
When I called her, Rosaria placed down the watering can she was using on the window plants and came over.
The empty bookshelf had recently been filled with picture books.
She said she had been busy lately because of my growth pain, and brought them as a surprise gift.
“Come here, Lady Irene!”
“Peep!”
I hopped onto Rosaria’s lap as she sat on the sofa and leaned against her.
I really liked the picture books.
Rosaria changed her voice while reading, making the story lively and fun.
When she opened the first page, a cute illustration appeared.
“Once upon a time, a baby bird family lived in a forest.”
“Peep.”
“One day, the baby bird wanted to explore the forest alone.”
“Peep.”
“The brave baby bird decided to go on an adventure!”
I nodded at Rosaria’s words, but inside I worried about the baby bird.
Two days of picture book experience.
By now, I was starting to understand the patterns.
“But! The baby bird got lost!”
“Peep!”
“It turned out that place was the territory of a scary lion pride.”
“Peep peep!”
This was definitely one of those intense children’s stories.
Even though I didn’t know the author, it was a thrilling story that made my heart race.
I quickly hid in Rosaria’s arms.
“Don’t worry, Lady Irene. As long as you don’t leave the family territory, you’ll be safe.”
“Peep…”
“Are you scared?”
“Peep.”
I curled up and closed my eyes. The baby bird must have returned safely to its family.
When I got ready to nap, Rosaria closed the book and gently patted me in a steady rhythm.
After hearing that I would soon be able to humanize, Rosaria wanted to teach me many things.
Especially the importance of territory, which she emphasized many times.
But I find things like that scary.
…Because when territory becomes too important, people fight over it.
I didn’t want to experience that again.
Still, I decided to learn everything Rosaria taught me.
She was the only one who could tell me about the world.
And soon, I would have to live as a baby bird on my own.
If I wasn’t careful, I might meet a lion like the one in the book.
A shiver ran through my feathers. It was instinctive fear.
I yawned deeply and closed my eyes as Rosaria blocked the sunlight with her hand.
“Sweet dreams, Lady Irene. Even if you meet a lion, I’ll—”
Hmm… what is Rosaria saying?
My mind was drifting away, but I tried to listen.
“If anything enters our territory, I’ll wipe them all—”
And then I fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Hestia walked down the hallway in a very excited mood.
In her basket was a small bathtub and fluffy towels.
Baon, who was heading to the office, spotted her and spoke.
“You seem to be in a good mood, Hestia.”
“Ah, Lord Baon?”
“What’s that?”
“A gift for Lady Irene.”
“A toy?”
Baon looked at it curiously.
She already had plenty of toys from Rosaria.
But Hestia said something unexpected.
“Of course not. It’s a massage bathtub.”
“Massage?”
“Yes. The young lady is suffering from growth pain. This is a secret, but she’ll likely humanize soon.”
Even though they were alone, Hestia lowered her voice.
Baon’s eyes widened.
“I’m on my way to give her a massage since she should be waking from her nap. Excuse me.”
She quickly walked away.
After watching her leave, Baon hurried toward the office.
He had something important to report to someone who pretended not to care but was very interested in the baby bird’s condition.
“How are you feeling, Lady?”
“Peep…”
“Feeling better after the bath?”
My body relaxed as Hestia massaged my wings.
She had kept coming back since her first visit. The growth pain, which was supposed to be temporary, was getting worse.
If I didn’t get massages every day, my joints would start hurting.
“Now, your feet.”
“Peep.”
“You’re responding so well now. How obedient.”
Hestia smiled and pointed at my foot.
I still felt suspicious. She seemed oddly attached to my footprint.
I stayed still for a moment, then slowly sat up.
“What’s wrong? Should we stop?”
“Peep.”
I removed the towel headband, and Hestia reluctantly pulled her hands away.
When I got out of the bath, Rosaria immediately wrapped me in a towel.
As I shook off the water and stretched, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice came.
“Oh? It seems the massage is already over.”
“Lord Baon?”
“Peep?”
“It’s been a while, Lady Irene.”
“Peep peep.”
“And the lord has arrived as well.”
The owner?
I looked behind Baon—and there he was.
He was really here.
I felt like I had been seeing him more often lately… maybe it was just my imagination?
I waved at him, and his lips curved slightly.
“I heard you’re going through growth pain.”
“Peep!”
“Come here.”
He held out his hand again.
It was the same large hand I had seen before.
After a moment of hesitation, I slowly stepped closer.
