Chapter 3
I trembled all over, unable to bring myself to step into the water.
What if it’s too hot… or too cold?
I cautiously lifted one of my front feet and poked at the water. But it was warmer than I expected.
“Pii! Pii!”
Relieved, I hopped straight into the water and flapped my wings.
I don’t even remember the last time I had a bath.
As I flapped, it turned into splashing around, but that just meant I was in an even better mood.
Rosaria smiled warmly and gently poured water over my body.
“Shall we go out to play after your bath?”
“Pii!”
“I think you’ll really like it, little one. The flowers are in full bloom.”
A flower outing!
Excited, I stomped my feet eagerly.
Splash, splash.
Tiny bubbles formed with each movement, and water splashed everywhere. Droplets that didn’t even make it out of the tub bounced around nearby.
“Oh my?” Rosaria widened her eyes at the sight, then clutched her chest again.
“This is dangerous… At this rate, everything might get destroyed.”
Her voice turned low and ominous as she muttered to herself, and I quickly stopped what I was doing.
For some reason, it felt like something really bad might happen.
In the end, I behaved quietly, and the bath came to an end.
Unfortunately, since I was still very young, they said it was too early to use soap. That was a shame—I would’ve liked that.
I was wrapped in a soft towel. The gentle hands carefully drying me felt nice.
“Pii… piiii…”
Soft chirps slipped out on their own.
“Does it feel good?”
“Pii.”
“But what should our little one eat for lunch? Have you been eating fruit?”
Rosaria frowned as she looked at the fruit still left in the basket.
“This won’t be enough for proper nutrition.”
She was right—living on fruit alone for too long would probably be bad for my body.
Without enough protein, growth would definitely slow down.
Rosaria let out a deep sigh.
“I should prepare some nutrient-rich baby food. And toys, and a bed… I suppose I’ll have to request a separate budget.”
“Pii?”
“What’s the point of just giving you a room? You need everything to live properly. Leave it to me, little one.”
…What if asking for money gets me kicked out?
Shouldn’t I stop her?
As I looked at her anxiously, Rosaria picked me up and smiled reassuringly.
“I may not look like it, but I have quite a bit of influence in this household.”
Before leaving the room, she held me up in front of a mirror.
In the reflection sat a tiny, snow-white baby bird.
I lifted a wing slightly. Then moved my feet.
“Pipi!”
That’s me!
As I pointed at the mirror and chirped, Rosaria nodded and took something out of her pocket.
It was a very small pink ribbon.
“This is a gift to celebrate meeting you for the first time, little one.”
She tied the ribbon loosely around me so it wouldn’t tighten around my neck, then asked what I thought.
I awkwardly fiddled with the end of the ribbon before covering my cheeks.
“Pii!”
“You like it, don’t you?”
“Pii!”
“Now that you’re all dressed up, shall we head out?”
When we stepped outside, a marble hallway stretched before us.
Sunlight poured in through the large windows, dazzling my eyes.
Wow… it really feels like I’m in a castle.
As I looked around, captivated by everything, I heard a faint chuckle from above.
Every time something interesting caught my eye, my body bounced with excitement.
Rosaria slowed her pace so I could take it all in.
Since we were already out, I stretched my wings eagerly toward the place I wanted to see.
“Pii!”
“Shall we go that way?”
I spotted a garden with a massive fountain.
That would be perfect for a flower outing! When the petals fall, they’ll look like snowflakes.
Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot.
I stomped as if I were walking myself when suddenly, I felt a familiar yet chilling presence.
Without thinking, I turned my head toward it.
There stood a man with black hair and red eyes, watching me expressionlessly.
He let out a disbelieving scoff, as if he hadn’t expected to see me here.
Soon, his tightly shut lips parted, and a cold voice followed.
“So I told you to do as you pleased, and now you’re freely roaming my house?”
The owner of the house.
I quickly pulled back the wing I had boldly stretched forward.
Of all times to run into him… my luck is terrible.
“Pii… pii…”
“You’ve scared the baby,” Rosaria said.
“How ridiculous.”
“Are you alright, little one?”
Rosaria gently patted me, concern in her voice.
At least I had someone to rely on right now.
I snuggled into her arms.
Feeling the owner’s intense gaze on me, I curled up tightly and hid, and Rosaria tried to soothe me.
“Don’t worry, little one. I’m here.”
“Pii…”
“Oh dear, your ribbon’s crooked. Let me fix it.”
It must’ve loosened while I was moving around.
Sniffling, I stayed still as she adjusted it.
The ribbon tightened gently again and settled neatly on me.
“There, all done!”
“Pii.”
“Our little one is just too cute! Don’t you think so too, my lord?”
Rosaria asked the owner.
Still wearing the ribbon, I cautiously glanced at him.
Would he think so too?
At that moment, our eyes met.
I hadn’t expected him to be looking at me.
Flinch.
“Pii…!”
Startled, my body visibly jerked, and the owner frowned.
His gaze was fixed on the pink ribbon on my head.
I fidgeted nervously and swallowed.
Finally, after what felt like a long silence, he spoke.
“All this fuss over a single ribbon.”
The owner seemed to dislike me far more than I expected.
At this rate, I might really get kicked out.
“Don’t be too down, little one.”
“Pii… piiii…”
“Look at this! Flower petals!”
Rosaria tossed petals she had prepared into the air.
Petals of many colors fluttered down gently.
I looked up at the sky, then plopped down and flapped my wings. The grass quickly became covered in petals.
“Pii! Pii!”
“Pretty, right?”
“Pip!”
“When you grow a little more, you’ll be able to look down at this from the sky.”
Whaaaat, really?
Seeing my sparkling eyes, Rosaria nodded.
“Of course. You’re still a baby, but…”
Her expression gradually turned strange, then serious.
Curious, I moved closer to her.
“Pii?”
“Oh my, little one. What should we do?”
“…?”
“I can’t teach you how to fly. I don’t have wings!”
Rosaria looked genuinely shocked.
Well… of course not. You’re not a bird. Were you planning to teach me that too?
When I tried to reassure her, she shook her head.
“I wanted to teach you so many things.”
“…”
“In that case, I’ll at least teach you how to hunt perfectly.”
Teach me how to hunt?
Surprised, I looked at her. No one had ever taught me something like that before.
Rosaria seemed delighted to finally have something she could teach me.
“The hunting techniques of our clan are so perfect that everyone wants to learn them.”
I do want to learn… but…
I’ve only been born a few days ago. Can I really learn hunting already?
I fell into deep thought.
“The young masters knew how to hunt from the moment they were born, but since you don’t, I’ll teach you with all my heart.”
“…Pii?”
I tilted my head, unable to believe it.
How can someone know how to hunt from birth?
The young masters here must be incredible… That’s not something you can learn without guidance.
As if answering my curiosity, Rosaria continued:
“We instinctively know from birth.”
“Pii, pii?”
“If the environment is right, I’m sure you’ll be able to do it too.”
…Is that really possible?
Rosaria’s determination was clearly burning bright.
