Of All Things, I Became a Crow

*Rainelle’s POV

---I don't feel normal at all when I talk like this. Anyway, I couldn't speak in my crow form, so I shook my head. Namuel opened his mouth again to confirm again as he was still not convinced, but before he could speak,

"I think you came to see me...? What are you doing with Rainelle, Marquis?"

"Ah, Your Highness."

I was so happy to be able to escape Namuel's interrogation so I flew over and sat on Karmeut's shoulder even when he hadn't called me.

His golden eyes tinged with joy and looked so beautiful. I rubbed my beak against his cheek softly. Karmeut, who gently stroked my cheek with a small smile, opened his mouth as he sat down on a chair.

"You find Rainelle interesting?"

"Its high intelligence is amazing. I've tried catching and researching other crows and birds, but they're not as intelligent as the Your Highness' crow..."

"That's why I want you to know that I cherish her, Marquis."

--This is a warning. Karmeut's voice was so low that you could feel that warning. Sensing that, Namuel replied with a small nod of his head.

"I understand, Your Highness."

"Now then, what's your business? There's no way you've come just to see Rainelle."

Hearing that, I could feel that there was going to be a very important discussion.

...then I should go and sit on the perch so that I wouldn't disturb them.

As I spread my wings and flew to the place shined on by the sunlight, I saw disappointment flashing in the golden eyes for a moment. However, that look was soon erased and he put his gaze on Namuel. I was honestly impressed.

Ah, this is how he became the emperor before the original work began.

My heart pounded little by little at his thorough and charismatic appearance for public and private affairs.

--What am I going to do when you're so cool? My heart is beating so wildly!

My heart was pounded hard as Karmeut and Namuel looked at each other and were absorbed in their conversation.

"The necklace that I have imbued with magic for you has become a crow's."

"Yes. Why? Are you upset that it's used by an animal and not a human?"

"No, it's the other way around. It's much better to hang it around an animal's neck than to hang a necklace that has gone through my hands around the neck of a noble girl that's laughing to pretend to be clean and noble."

Honestly, I was a little surprised by Namuel's words, who calmly spat out words of contempt for the nobles as he frowned.

Right! Karmeut is from the Imperial family. In a way, he is a man of a position that is comparable to the apex of aristocrats. Could this make Karmeut angry and cause him to have a fallout with Namuel? That's not good...

I sneaked a look at Karmeut's expression while feeling anxious. ...but surprisingly, Karmeut didn't seem to be angry. Rather, he smiled and nodded.

"Certainly, people who wear masks and pretend to smile won't be good. After all, it's unknown when or where they will hit your back. Isn't that so, Marquis?"

"Of course. It's not enough to learn mana that makes up this world even for a lifetime, so I just don't understand those who are fighting a war of nerves where there's no nutrition."

...well, that's a very magical answer.

It's not to the point where he's an extremist, but Namuel's words exude enough fanatic energy. And Karmeut seemed to like that since he let out a low laugh and said,

"I see. Then I should ask why you're looking for me. Isn't it a waste of time to talk with me meaninglessly? Aren't those who fight for the right to succession must gather the power of the nobles whom the Marquis hates?"

"-But you're much wiser than the Third Prince and fit the throne more. --at least you're not a person who would rule the country as you please. That alone makes the time that I dedicate to Your Highness doesn't go to waste."

"Thank you for recognizing me that much. Now, shall we listen to the reason why you have to me?"

Namuel nodded his head and adjust his glasses with one hand. As a result, the spectacles was twinkling and looked pretty, so the impulse to take it rose in me.

Oh, no!! I can't make any mishap here!!

"I came here to warn you."

"...warn?"

"The Third Prince seems to be feeling that things are strange. I and Marquis Wilhelm have been added to those who follow Your Highness. --No matter how self-righteous and arrogant Prince Luwellin is, it's unlikely that he doesn't know what that means."

At those words, Karmeut smirked.

"If he doesn't feel that something is strange, it would mean that he's truly a fool. Such a reaction is within the expectation."

"...then, did you know that there are objects that are imbued with magic around Your Highness?"

Karmeut's body flinched.

Something imbued with magic?! What?! It's not a video recording crystal ball or something like that, is it?!

If it's one of those things, wouldn't I have been caught turning into a human?!!

"-here?"

Namuel nodded instead of answering. That action made me almost lose my mind.

Seriously crazy! Oh my god. I'm in trouble! It may be conceited, but my human form is really pretty!! What if I'm kidnapped?!! ---I'm in trouble. I'm in trouble!!

Even though I knew that I should be quiet, I couldn't calm myself down easily. Namuel seemed surprised when I flapped my wings.

Oh my God! What do I do?!

I flapped my wings and I jumped from place to place when someone grabbed my body. As I struggled while letting out a surprised caw, a familiar voice reached my ear.

"Rainelle, calm down."

He whispered softly. As I was embraced in his arms, I took a deep breath.

My breath gradually calmed down as he stroked my back with a hand that moved slowly.

"...why is she like that all of a sudden?"

"Maybe she senses that some object that has been touched by Luwellin's hand is near me."

"...is it possible for her to have such high-level thinking? A crow?"

"...well, I think the instinctive part is bigger."

Karmeut's words in response to Namuel's question sounded like a hum in my ears. That's how confused my mind was.

When and how? I've been in Karmeut's room the whole time, but why didn't I see any? Why is that?

No, no matter how competent Karmeut is, there are still nobles who take Luwellin's side. So, they can bribe servants to sneak in the thing that's imbued with magic. I think that's the case!!

However, it's another matter to confirm it!!

"What kind?"

"…looking at the flow of mana---. It's a video recording crystal ball. The number is about five or so. I think we need to check for ourselves when it was hidden."

"Then can you do it right now?"

"Of course. --Ah, the fact that there are about five of them in the office, it's very likely that there are also some in the Your Highness's room, but-----"

"I'll trouble you."

Namuel nodded and stood up. Then, without delay, he moved to find the objects. I looked around my head as I felt my heart beating in a different way from usual.

Where? How far have I been seen? Since when? Have I been seen transforming into a human? It's possible that I become Karmeut's weakness----!! Of course, it would be funny to say that a bird is a weakness, but if I become a target that's worth being used...!!

"It's okay."

A low, soft voice entered my ears again. I looked up at Karmeut as he stroked my back with a slow and gentle touch. The golden eyes reflected my figure. Even though it was clear that Luwellin monitored him, his pretty and sparkling eyes were still calm and collected.

"It's okay, Rainelle. It's okay."

It's not okay! You're in bigger trouble than I am...!

I snapped my beak hard with all my heart.

Karmeut smiled slightly as he stroked my feathers and stared at me.

It's not something to be laughed about at all!

When I saw him smiling, I got angry. I clamped his fingers while making an angry cawing sound, but Karmeut was still smiling.

"Thank you for your concern. But it's okay. I mean it."

He patted me on the back while saying that it was okay over and over. Funnily enough, I felt like I was slowly calming down even though this situation wasn't peaceful at all.

I'm going crazy!

But... but why am I so relieved? Why do I feel like I'm really going to be okay...?

It was absurd even to myself. However, my body got relaxed on its own. I blinked as I felt my crazy beating heartbeat slowly return to normal. The hand that was gently stroking my back turned into a small patting.

"It's okay. No matter what happens, I can definitely protect you."

It was a magical word. It was a word that had no bottom line, but, oddly enough, it was full of persuasiveness.

...Suddenly, I wondered what Namuel would say when he saw this scene, but when he gently stroked my beak, it dawned on me that I didn't really care...

Yeah, whatever. Karmeut said it is going to be okay. That's what a handsome man who's going the future emperor had said. What am I going to do if I don't believe him?

It was a trust without a clear reason.

It was my choice to be by Karmeut's side, not because he chose me. I know he values ​​me. I could feel it ...but that doesn’t have anything to do with trust.

Even if he was cold and insensitive, following him was my true intention.

...but, what about the chance that things won't happen like that? I also had to admit that that idea was... well-grounded.

Should I believe in this warm embrace? Or should I do like what I did before I possessed this crow? Should I be vigilant and find my own way to live?

I felt like my head was in a mess of confusion. I don't know what he felt when I stood still, but Karmeut once again smiled.

...it was a warm and cozy smile, like the sun. He held my body tightly as if he was saying "I will protect you" and approached Namuel, who had just picked up what appeared to be the last crystal ball.

"Is that the last one?"

"Yes. Do you want to check the time when they were hidden or do you want to find the ones hidden in Your Highness' room first?"

"It would be better to find the hidden ones first. It won't be too late to check the time after that."

"-Understood. I'll find those things first."

"Please."

Namuel nodded. Together with him, Karmeut began to move his legs to his room while I, who was held in his arms, tried to calm my heart, which was constantly pounding with anxiety.

I'm nervous and anxious. Why did Luwellin snuck in video recorders?

Unable to figure out the reason, I tremble with worry. I stuck my feathers even closer to my body as I vaguely felt like a mysterious shadow was covering Karmeut and me.

"Here's why the clever crow didn't sense anything."

Namuel, who searched Karmeut's room, took something that was enough to make my mouth... no, beak, open wide.

What's that? Porcelain ornament? ...no matter from which side, it’s not a crystal ball! Why did he pick that up? Is that really a video recording crystal ball?

"-Is it cognitive impairment magic? Or illusion? "

"It's both. After engraving magic lines on the surface of the crystal ball, it was processed with silver that has high conductivity. It's would have a fairly high price, but this is a magic tool that can be obtained by aristocrats."

With a few taps on the ornament, a circle of lights that looked like a magic circle suddenly appeared and then disappeared at Namuel's fingertips.

My beak was open as I watched the ornament turn into an engraved transparent crystal ball

—there are some strange silver letters. Tha, that's amazing! So this is magic!

When I saw magic that only appeared in novels or movies with my own eyes, I felt an indescribable feeling.

Was it because I felt that I had truly come to a world of magic?

***