Chapter 67
But it lasted only for a moment. Something gently wrapped around my body with a much softer touch than before.
It didn’t seem like it wanted to hurt me, so I stayed still, holding my breath.
If I’m right…
After a short while, in the brightened room, something big released me.
I reflexively flew up and looked down, expecting the floor—but it wasn’t the floor. It was a hand.
So, the hand had taken me out from where I had been trapped. I was probably inside Lionel’s chest pocket the whole time.
Then the beating I felt… was his heartbeat.
Does he normally carry me, this little bluebird, in his chest pocket?
…But how am I flying right now?
I flew well when I wasn’t thinking, but the moment I wondered how, my wings stopped. My body started to fall.
I’m falling!
I was so scared I didn’t even scream. I shut my eyes tightly, bracing for impact. I felt my body hit something, but it didn’t hurt.
Curious, I opened my eyes a little and saw Lionel’s face right in front of me. He had caught me in his hand.
“Are you too weak to fly because you’re hungry?”
There was a hint of a smile in his voice.
No, maybe I imagined it.
His face is expressionless…
Besides, he’s not the type to tease anyone.
I shook it off and tried flapping my wings on Lionel’s hand, getting used to this tiny bluebird body. At that moment, a servant entered, pushing a trolley.
“Your Highness, I brought cookies and water.”
“Leave them there and go.”
The servant bowed and left. I craned my neck to see the trolley.
Wow… how many cookies are there?
Although Lionel had only asked for cookies and water, the trolley carried a luxurious five-tier tray, two teapots, and beautifully crafted water bottles.
The five-tier tray caught my eye. The cookies, tarts, cakes, and macarons on it were so beautifully decorated with flower-shaped sugar that they seemed meant more for looking than eating.
No wonder he called the cookies I baked “fresh.”
Had I been wasting my time? Was it unnecessary to try to satisfy the taste of a noble prince?
Feeling a bit down, I pouted my beak. Lionel carefully placed me on the table.
He washed his hands in the water bowl, then brought a tiny plate and began breaking a cookie into small pieces.
“Here.”
He offered me the cookie pieces and poured water into another small bowl. He moved naturally, like he had done this many times.
I guessed he had experience taking care of a bird before.
He’s taking good care of me.
Having raised a bluebird before, Lionel clearly knew what he was doing.
I happily hopped closer to the plate, ready to taste the palace cookies.
The cookie crumbs were perfect for pecking, and I tasted them carefully.
…Delicious!
Of course, my mother’s cookies were still the best in the world, but these were even better than the ones I baked. Even the crumbs tasted amazing—so how good would a whole piece be?
Next time, I’ll have to ask for some of this too!
As I happily pecked the cookie, Lionel gently rubbed my head with his finger. Then, using his palm, he stroked my whole body, head to back.
You’re not supposed to touch me while I’m eating!
I spread my wings wide to signal him to stop, and his hand withdrew. I shook my head, then continued pecking the cookies.
When I got thirsty and ran to the water bowl, I heard a soft laugh. Even without seeing his expression, I could tell he was pleased.
Lionel laughs like that sometimes…
Curious, I looked up. Rarely, a small smile appeared on his lips. His eyes softened as he said:
“No one touches you while you eat. Right?”
…Huh?
How does he know that?
Wait. I think I said that once before…
“Don’t you have something to say to me now?”
“What should I say?”
“Hey! I was about to eat! I said no one touches me while I eat!”
“…You knew it was me?”
“Yes.”
“When did you find out?”
Lionel kept rubbing my head with one hand while resting his chin on the other, as if my human voice coming out of my beak wasn’t strange.
“When I took you out of my pocket. I heard you squeak, not chirp.”
He knew all along!
I had assumed he treated me like an ordinary bird, but…
“Then why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
“It reminded me of the past.”
“The past?”
He didn’t explain when exactly. Instead, he offered the cookie plate again.
“You seem to like it. Eat more.”
“Ah! I’m not liking it for that reason—I just wanted to compare it to my mother’s cookies.”
I realized I had pecked them greedily and apologized, but Lionel quietly broke more cookies into small pieces.
Well… I should at least eat some since he went to the trouble to break them.
I pecked the cookies on his plate. Everything tasted rich and delicious.
I bet the other desserts are good too.
Especially the tart. Strawberries, kiwi, grapes, and oranges were cut into perfect bite-sized pieces, glazed with sugar syrup, and baked. They sparkled like jewels.
I couldn’t wait to try it, and my wings moved on their own.
“I want that too!”
Lionel nodded and cut the tart into bite-sized pieces for me.
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you!”
I excitedly pecked the strawberries and grapes, then “swam” in the cream beneath them.
Of course, that was just a way to describe it. My wings were covered in cream as I devoured the tart. I patted my full belly and rested on the table.
This is heaven…
I thought a nap here would be perfect. Lionel approached with a wet towel.
He lifted one wing and carefully wiped the cream between the feathers. Then the other wing. He looked down and cleaned my wings carefully.
A handsome man bringing food and cleaning me…
I want to live like this forever…
As I drifted near sleep, feeling blissful, his hand brushed my eye. I opened my half-closed eyes to meet his gaze.
“Do you know something?”
“What?”
His finger gently touched my eye.
“The color of your eyes has changed.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
He touched my eye again, then adjusted his earring and smiled faintly.
“It’s the color of Liri.”