Episode 54
No matter what gift she gave, Kaisa would surely be happy to receive it.
I want to see him.
Sharie wanted to see the smile on his face when he received her gift. Her heart swelled like a balloon, floating lightly as if lifted by the sheer anticipation.
“Ah.”
Momo, the little bird in the cage, lightly pecked at her finger with its beak. It didn’t hurt, but the intention was clear—don’t forget me too.
“I’m sorry. I was only thinking about myself.”
Sharie almost completely forgot about her little companion. Feeling guilty, she glanced around.
“What would be good for Momo?”
The tiny kestrel made its opinion unmistakably clear.
Squirming in the cage, perhaps frustrated by being confined, Momo immediately pointed its tail feathers at the high-quality treats for companion birds.
“You picked it already?”
It seemed to have had its eye on them from earlier. Watching Momo’s actions, Yuri commented,
“Wherever she goes, she’ll take care of her own food bowl. How clever.”
Momo chirped, almost as if acknowledging the praise, and Sharie felt a surge of pride.
After purchasing the companion treats in a box, Sharie exited the shop, where Alex was waiting at the entrance.
“Finished already?”
There was a clear trace of regret on his expression. Alex, speaking to Sharie, kept glancing at a female attendant by his side.
Seeing the long-haired woman shyly tuck her hair behind her ear while stealing glances at Alex, Sharie realized the situation immediately.
Could it be he tried to flirt again while I was shopping?
Her brows furrowed instinctively at his playboy behavior.
“You have luggage. I’ll load it onto the carriage immediately. I’ll do it.”
Avoiding Sharie’s gaze, Alex quickly took the box from the attendant.
“Was everything okay?” Yuri asked.
The attendant, who had been watching Alex lead Sharie to the carriage with a hint of disappointment, suddenly remembered something.
“A guest is here.”
The attendant guided the guest, standing by the doorway, to Yuri. Surprised by the unexpected visitor, Yuri approached.
“Miss Olivia? What brings you here?”
Olivia responded without a word, showing the piece of jewelry in her hand.
“This is the piece I gifted last time. Would you like to exchange or refund it?”
“No, I really like it. But the tip is slightly damaged…”
“Oh my! I see. Please give it to me. Let’s head inside for now; there are many other beautiful pieces as well.”
Sharie silently admired Yuri, who naturally guided Olivia into the shop.
“It’ll just be a moment, milady. Please wait.”
Yuri left to hand over the jewelry to the shop’s craftsmen. Sharie and Olivia were left alone, cautiously glancing at each other.
Though awkward, as the “lady of Barhad,” Sharie was used to social interactions. Summoning courage, she spoke first.
“It’s good to see you, Miss Olivia.”
Olivia gave a light, polite bow in response, still saying nothing.
“It’s the first time since the last tea gathering.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Do you come here often?”
“Not really.”
The conversation stalled. Sharie felt a subtle, uncomfortable tension between them. Was it just her imagination?
She glanced at Olivia cautiously. The side profile of the glamorous woman, who stubbornly fixed her gaze forward, twitched slightly.
Of course… that must be why.
The sudden incident at the tea gathering, when she had unintentionally transformed into a rabbit, still lingered in Sharie’s mind. Setting aside her feelings for Olivia, it was ultimately her own fault.
Sharie was still choosing her words carefully when Olivia awkwardly spoke first. Something in her eyes suggested she wanted to say something.
“Did you place that bird on your shoulder on purpose?”
Sharie glanced sideways, startled. The little bird, which had been chirping impatiently in its cage, was now perched on her shoulder.
Had the cage door been open?
Before she could check, Momo, wings spread, darted out through the shop door.
“Wait—!”
Regardless of her owner’s surprise, Momo zipped out. Sharie chased after her frantically. But Momo seemed to enjoy the flight, as if seeing it as play or training. She would slow down when the distance grew, checking back with Sharie.
The street was crowded, making it difficult for Sharie to navigate with her short legs.
“Momo—!”
Engrossed in the chase, she didn’t notice entering a narrow alley. The dim light revealed she was surrounded by unfamiliar streets.
I need to get out of here.
As she prepared to escape, a strong hand grabbed her wrist.
“How can someone so small run so fast… I barely caught up!”
Startled, Sharie turned to see Olivia, panting heavily. She guided Sharie’s hand, urging,
“Let’s get out of here quickly.”
“Y-Yes.”
Even in a bustling city, back alleys harbored dangerous men. Dressed in fine clothes, noble girls were easy targets. If not for her little kestrel, Sharie wouldn’t have come here.
“Lost, have we, young ladies?”
Rough voices came from behind. Sharie turned, eyes trembling, to see Olivia standing firm, but her lips quivering in fear.
It’s my fault.
Sharie’s careful observation was lacking, and Olivia had been swept into this situation because of her. Now, self-blame could wait—survival was the priority.
I have to protect Miss Olivia.
Luckily, Olivia could use magic. Though she knew few offensive spells, she could create confusion among the men.
And in that moment, we can escape…
Sharie clenched her trembling fists, planning their next move.
“Step back.”
Olivia stepped forward, shielding Sharie. Confused, Sharie quickly moved behind her.
It wasn’t self-sacrifice; it was a calculated assessment of their strength.
“It’s dangerous, milady. Come behind me!”
Yet Olivia, misunderstanding her intentions, stepped forward again.
“What are you doing?”
The thugs, watching the struggle for leadership between the two women, sneered at the scene.
“Stop this!”
Olivia, losing patience, shouted first.
“Do you think your threats will scare them, milady? What can that little front paw of yours do!”
Sharie realized her absurd choice of words mid-sentence.
“Front paw?”
How did Olivia perceive her like this? She glanced at her hands—five intact human fingers.
Olivia, noticing Sharie’s awkward reaction, paused, a subtle expression crossing her face.
A much more delicate silence settled between them than before. One thing became clear:
She didn’t act that way out of dislike.
Reflecting on it, Olivia’s frosty attitude seemed more like uncertainty on how to interact, rather than true animosity. The tea gathering incident likely had a greater impact than expected.
“Enough of this farce.”
The men scratched their heads irritably, exchanging glances.
“Blonde girl, step aside.”
Their eyes glinted like hunters ready to throw nets at prey. Sharie instinctively sensed their target.
What is this?
Initially, she had assumed simple street thugs looking for a rich noble girl to rob. But their professional coordination, cutting off escape routes, told a different story.
They’ve been watching only me since earlier.
At first she thought it was her imagination. It wasn’t. The men’s gaze was firmly set on Sharie herself.
