TYDF 13

Ugh.

I hit the ball with my wing.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

“You’ll get hurt like that, Lady Irene!”

“Pii!”

“Is it because you can’t control the ball properly?”

“Pii.”

I hugged the ball tightly and waddled around.

Then Rosaria quickly lifted the camera hanging from her neck.

I was resting for a moment with my cheek pressed against the soft rubber ball, but I turned my head toward her call.

“Look here, Lady Irene!”

“Pii?”

“Ah, so cute…”

Click, click, click.

The camera shutter kept going several times before Rosaria finally put it down.

Lately, she had become completely obsessed with taking pictures. And almost all of them were of me.

Roll, roll.

After chasing the ball a few times as it rolled around on its own, I quickly got tired.

This game is boring!

“Pipipipipi!”

I turned and ran back to Rosaria.

“You’re done already?”

“Pii.”

I climbed onto the picnic mat and sat in front of the blueberry pie Rosaria had prepared.

The chef had personally made it for this outing.

“The chef said he hopes you enjoy it and grow quickly.”

“Pii!”

“Is it tasty?”

“Pii!”

The taste was amazing. My mood immediately improved.

Rosaria smiled and patted my head, telling me to eat more.

One bite, two bites… the pie disappeared quickly.

Next time I see the chef, I must thank him properly.

A soft breeze blew by. I patted my full belly.

“Are you full?”

“Pii—!”

“Then shall we do some paper folding while lying down?”

Rosaria was very prepared.

She must have expected I wouldn’t be interested in ball play and brought another game.

She took out colored paper from the basket.

My share was already cut into small squares.

“Which color do you like?”

“Pipii.”

I chose yellow paper, and Rosaria smiled and handed it to me.

“We’re going to fold a butterfly today.”

“Pii?”

“Yes. First, fold it into a triangle like this.”

Rosaria demonstrated slowly.

She must have remembered me chasing butterflies before.

I wasn’t sure I could use my wings well for folding, but it wasn’t too hard when I focused.

“Then unfold it completely.”

“Pii?”

“Yes, very good!”

This is easier than eating star candy.

I proudly showed my folded paper.

Rosaria checked it happily and moved to the next step.

While we were folding, Rosaria suddenly paused.

“Pipipipipi?”

“Hmm… wait a moment, Lady Irene. I forgot the next step.”

She seemed to have forgotten.

Then I should just wait!

I decided she had probably never done paper folding before and just learned it quickly for me.

Maybe I should play with the ball for a bit?

I stood up and looked toward the fountain where the ball was.

“Pipipipipi.”

“Yes, Lady Irene?”

“Pipi.”

I pointed at the ball.

Rosaria’s face brightened.

“Oh, you want to play ball? Just for a little while. I’ll think of the next step!”

“Pii.”

I carefully picked up my folded paper with my beak and walked toward the fountain.

I didn’t want it to fly away.

If I stay here, she’ll call me soon anyway.

I kicked the ball again.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

“Pii! Pii! Pii!”

I was having fun kicking it when a breeze blew.

I tried to chase the rolling ball, but I tripped on a rock and fell.

“Pii… pii…”

It hurts…

Tears gathered in my eyes.

Then the ball rolled past the fountain toward the forest and suddenly stopped—like it hit something.

A strange feeling filled the air, like I had entered another space.

I didn’t understand it fully, but I knew it was pheromones.

With the wind, a strong but controlled and calm pressure spread through the air.

I slowly looked up.

“I heard something squeaking. I wasn’t imagining it.”

There stood a boy who looked very similar to Kaid.

He had the same presence.

Even though I had never met him before, I somehow knew he was one of the young masters.

I hiccuped from shock.

“Pii! Pii! Piit!”

I forgot my pain and even stopped crying.

The pressure from him made my body stiff with fear.

Now I finally understood how careful everyone had been around me.

Even Kaid, who seemed careless, was actually very cautious.

The boy casually pushed the ball aside.

Then I remembered what Rosaria once said:

“The eldest young master trains here.”

Broken trees and dug-up ground came to my mind.

He walked closer slowly, like a predator approaching prey.

“Is this your ball?”

“Pii…”

“You look scared. I forgot to control my pheromones after training.”

His eyes fell on the colored paper near my feet.

Do you want this?

Hiccup.

I picked it up with my beak and offered it to him.

“This… for me?”

“Pii.”

He went silent.

At that moment, Rosaria called out.

“Lady Irene!”

“Pipipipipi!”

I quickly hid behind Rosaria.

I held onto her clothes tightly.

The boy, now called Set, narrowed his eyes.

“Set young master, you’re already done training?”

“Got bored.”

“Please control your pheromones. Lady Irene must be scared. Let’s drink some water.”

“Pii.”

I am very scared.

Rosaria picked me up when I stretched my wings toward her.

As I drank water, I felt a heavy gaze on me.

Set still hadn’t left. He was staring at me.

Why is he looking like that?

I turned away while holding the cup with both wings.

Then Set spoke again.

“So you’re the rumored bird?”

“Not a bird. This is Lady Irene. The lord gave her a name.”

“Irene?”

“Yes. The youngest young lady. Isn’t she adorable?”

“So he left the border just for this?”

Set’s tone turned mocking.

I was surprised.

I didn’t know Rosaria had been guarding the border.

“I thought only a few siblings were quiet in the egg…”

Set smiled faintly.

“So it was you?”

His tone was soft—but it didn’t feel safe.