Chapter 63

Of All Things, I Became a Crow

*Rainelle’s POV

*knock, knock*

I was startled by the sudden knocks and pushed Karmeut's chest hard. Then he frowned while saying,

"Come in!"

As soon as permission was granted, the cart was pushed in and the servant entered. The servant's body, who had brought the cake, trembled.

"Come, put it there."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

---It's not that I don't know how he feels... If I were him, I would be scared to receive such a bloody gaze... No, rather, if he only trembles, should I say that he has great professionalism?

Karmeut's eyes were looking as if he was about to kill the servant. I turned my gaze to the cake on purpose.

I dipped a fork into the cake and shoved a piece into my mouth. I could feel the pleasant sweetness, but there was only one thought that came to my mind,

This, is there a hidden camera(?) here?! Why do things always happen at such a perfect timing?! Um, of course, I didn't mean to go on! No, it's not that I didn't like it---!

I concentrated on the cake as my mind became tangled.

---Actually, isn't this situation itself a joke?! How come?! I've been thinking about it!!

Feeling a bit emotional, I started picking up the strawberries with the fork.

Argh!! I'm not a pervert! But I can still wish for that, y’know! Anyone would want it!

Feeling some kind of unfairness, I swallowed the cake.

I'll have to eat something sweet to appease this sad heart!!

***

*Karmeut’s POV

Karmeut couldn't hold back the sigh that continued to escape his mouth.

I did ask the servant to bring a cake for Rainelle, but how could he come at that moment?

"...Your Majesty?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. What were we talking about?"

The nobleman looked puzzled for a moment, but at the silent urging to speak, he nodded his head slightly and opened his mouth again,

"It has been more than two months since Your Majesty's ascension to the throne. How about holding a banquet to celebrate the coronation ceremony...?"

As he carefully conveyed his opinion, the nobleman watched the Emperor’s eyes.

Originally, banquets to celebrate the coronation ceremony would begin on the same day of the ceremony and were usually held for a week or more, up to 15 days at most. However, the current emperor had not held a banquet until now, saying, "There are many issues to be dealt with."

Of course, it was true that if the banquet was not held, it would save a lot of money. However, there were several problems with the absence of a banquet after a new Emperor took the throne in the Wolfric Empire.

Not only was there a problem with the prestige that should be kept as an empire, but there were also difficulties that were bound to bloom in terms of exchanges with other countries. That was the case since it could be regarded as a disregard for not inviting royalty or nobles from other countries when a new emperor took the throne.

"Ah, of course, it's late since we took care of the urgencies first, but we should hold a banquet."

The expression on the nobleman's complexion brightened at the words of the Emperor, who willingly accepted his opinion. As if he didn't care about the noble, Karmeut was immersed in thought in the next moment.

It was delayed because there were not one or two problems that were lying down, but now the banquet has to be held.

As he was contemplating the duration and cost of the banquet, a thought suddenly came to his mind.

How beautiful would Rainelle be if she wore a dress of a different color?

Of course, it isn't that I hated the black feather dress that Rainelle wore when she turned into her human form. But it wasn’t really cultured. Strictly speaking, should I say it's feral?

Rather than a dress that says, "I'm a crow," if she wears a dress with the touch of a high-quality seamstress...

The Emperor's cheeks lit up faintly, and Karmeut covered the corners of his mouth that were about to rise just by imagining it.

The banquet is an opportunity. As it’s a large banquet where even the royalty and nobles of other kingdoms would come, it is enough to announce Rainelle’s existence.

My companion is her alone, and I have no intention of giving her away to anyone.

Now, to do that...

“There will be more to prepare…”

The Emperor let out a long sigh as he muttered so.

The nobleman, who had expressed his opinion on holding a banquet was nervous again, but the Emperor did not pay attention. The only thought that filled Karmeut's head was: 'There will be more documents to process…'

*Rainelle’s POV

"...So, Rainelle. There's something I want you to do."

Karmeut said there was something he wanted me to do. I blinked his serious look.

"...what would you like me to do?"

What is it? What does he want me to do? I'm a crow, so there's not much I can do, right?

I tilted my head and swallowed the remaining fruit in my mouth. Seeing me like that, Karmeut showed a smile. ...But, was it my misunderstanding that his smile somehow looked apologetic?

"Yeah. I'm sorry, but I think you need to get some etiquette training."

...Huh? Etiquette training?

"...what is that?"

I asked carefully, pretending not to know about it.

Etiquette is something that only applies to humans, not to crows. … If it's something kind of similar, is it hierarchy? But hierarchy and etiquette are completely different...

"Um... it's a necessary thing between humans. It’s how to have a smoother and more harmonious relationship between humans. That's etiquette."

"...uh, umm... I see. But why?"

"I'd like you to learn it."

"...Is that good for Karmeut?"

"Um, it's good for us."

Karmeut smiled softly and took my hand as he said ‘We’. Then he went on to say,

"This time, we are holding a banquet. It is an occasion where many people gather to eat delicious food, dance, and enjoy themselves. People from other countries also come to celebrate."

"Celebrate? For what?"

"It's a celebration of me becoming the emperor. Originally, it was supposed to be held right after the coronation ceremony, but I had to put it off because there was a lot of work to do."

...Oh, it sounds like the banquet is a huge one where even nobles and royalty from other countries are invited. By the way, at his coronation ceremony, Karmeut introduced me as the future empress... he’s thinking of showing it off to people from other countries?

When I remembered that time, my face felt hot.

But now it doesn't matter! Anyway, etiquette education is a must!!

"I have to go there too, right?"

"I wish you could."

"To do that, I have to take etiquette training, right?"

"Yeah. Of course, if you don't want to, you don't have to. I don't want to force you. The most important thing to me is your will."

Karmeut told me that there was nothing more important than my will with a friendly face and a soft voice, so I made up my mind.

He thinks of me like that, but it's not like I refused. Besides, Karmeut didn’t order me. He said, “I wish you could”.

"Okay, etiquette training, I'll do it."

"---Rainelle?"

"Karmeut wants me to go to the banquet with you, right? If that's the case, it's fine. I don't want to say no to Karmeut alone."

I meant it. Of course, etiquette training is difficult... I think so, but... But since Karmeut is the one who said it, I want to fulfill his wish.

Because he is special.

Karmeut's face gradually brightened. Then he said with a gentle curve of his eyes as if he was really happy,

"Thank you, Rainelle. Thank you for understanding me."

He shrunk my shoulders at the touch of his lips on my cheek. Now that I’ve gotten a little used to it, I didn't step back or freak out.

...I feel sorry to do that every time. And for what Karmeut said before...

"When is the banquet?"

"It's in a month. Until then, both Rainelle and I will be very busy. I think we'll have to use separate rooms until the banquet. Is that ok?"

"---Hmm. I'll use another room if necessary."

"And you have to stay human for the most part at that time. It'll be quite troublesome if you turn into a crow during the banquet. Can you practice staying as a human for as long as you can before the banquet?"

"---even when sleeping?"

"If possible."

"I'll try."

After that, Karmeut stroked my hair. It was a familiar touch, like when he stroked my feathers, so I rubbed his hand with my head without realizing it.

Then a low, soft laugh tickled my ears. ---It was then that I realized that I had done what I usually do in the form of a crow as a human, but somehow I was not ashamed or offended by his laugh.

It was just warm. It was warm, and it felt as good as when I was a crow. Feeling cozy and comfortable, I approached Karmeut a little more, but then I could hear his voice,

"I don't want to let go of you if you see me like this, Rainelle."

I realized that my body was drawn and now I leaned into his arms. ...but I didn't move. Strangely enough, I felt comfortable and good at the moment.

I felt his lips touching my forehead. I slowly closed my eyes at the seriously blinding golden eyes. Then, kisses fell on the corners of my eyes, on the bridge of my nose, and my cheek. It was nonstop. My heart was tickled and I felt warm.

A burst of laughter leaked out of me. It was because I was tickled by the lips down to my heart, but Karmeut was different from me.

As if he had hesitated so far, his lips hovered over mine. His breath touched my face as he still hesitated and kept a close distance.

Then, our lips slightly touched. The warm and soft touch felt clear for some reason, so I opened my mouth slightly without realizing it.

Then, as if he had been waiting for that moment, the tongue rushed in which caused my shoulders to tremble. Karmeut, gave strength to his arm as if to appease me, then he licked my lips softly as if to open my mouth.

The sensation made me lose my strength. This wasn't the first time we'd kissed, but this slow, polite, yet subtle kiss was a sensation that brought goosebumps all over my body.

My mouth opened, then his tongue and mine intertwined. I had no choice but to give in to him as he held the back of my head as if to prevent me from backing away.

It was so vivid, so blatant, and so provocative that I grabbed Karmeut's arm. My breath was taken away.

"...Haa, one moment..."

"...it might be difficult to see each other until the banquet. So, Rei..."

It sounded like a child's pestering tone, but his eyes weren't like that. It was deep. My spine shivered at the gaze that was staring at me as if he saw prey in front of him.

I did not resist the overlapping lips again and opened my mouth. This time, it was a kiss that gave an illusion that I was being eaten and pushed hard, unlike before.

...but should I say it was Karmeut-like? However, when I felt it was difficult, I would be able to open my mouth slightly to breathe, or he would gently touch the back of my head as if to soothe me. That was why I didn't refuse and let him kiss me quietly.

Our lips parted and Karmeut raised his head after pecking me lightly. He asked with a satisfied smile,

"---I said that we won't see each other for a while, so you gave me this permission?"

I was barely able to respond as I leaned on him. It was as if I was about to collapse as my body lose all strength and I was still trying to breathe.

"There's that and... I, I didn't hate it... so..."

---I've said it and it's a shame! But it's true that I don't hate it. Uh, uh...

To be honest, I didn't dare to look at Karmeut's face, so I bowed my head. It became like I was burying my face in his chest, but there was no other way!

OMG! I didn't know I'd say this with my own mouth!

"Uh?!"

Startled by the arms that suddenly held my body tight, I lifted my head. Then, shining golden eyes appeared in front of me.

Karmeut had a smile on his face as if he was so happy that he didn't know what to do. Karmeut bit his lips and even groaned slightly. Then, unexpectedly, he buried his face in my shoulder.

"Oh, really. Rainelle... if you say it like that, I'll want to abandon the banquet and everything."

"Ka, Karmeut?"

"But it has to be done... so I'll be patient. Really, what am I supposed to do if you're so lovely?"

Karmeut, who rubbed his face on my shoulder as he uttered huge words casually, kissed my cheek again.

"Good luck with your etiquette training, Rainelle. I will work hard too."

"Ah, okay."

"But I'll visit you when I have time. Is that okay?"

"Yeah. Of course, it’s okay."

"Thank you."

His face with bent eyes as he said ‘thank you’ was so gorgeous that I had no choice but to bury my head in his arms to hide my blush.

***