Of All Things, I Became a Crow

*Rainelle’s POV

Karmeut said he wouldn't do it, but the possibility of him dealing with nobles in a place I didn't know was still high. So I grabbed Karmeut's hand tightly with both of my hands.

"---You're really not going to do it, are you? You're not going to attack other people, right?"

"Yes, I won't, because you don't want me to."

As he said “So don't worry, Rainelle,” he raised my hand. Then he kissed the back of my hand and curled the corner of his eyes.

"By the way, Rainelle, can I ask you something?"

"Huh? What?"

"If you're hoping to gain power for me... can I think of it as you accepting me?"

Karmeut's voice was trembling slightly. I frowned as I looked at his eyes which were filled with anxiety and expectation.

---I thought I was the only one who was dull and stupid, but Karmeut is also dull in the wrong place.

So I quickly pulled my hand.

"Ah---"

"Karmeut, are you a fool? I can be called a fool because I'm a crow, but I see that Karmeut can be a fool too."

At the word ‘fool’, Karmeut lowered his head with a little murmur. His appearance was both strange and funny, so it made me laugh.

"I can't help but say that you’re a fool... Because, which female would give her body to a male who she doesn't care about?"

At that, Karmeut lifted his head.

---Ah, really. It's embarrassing for me to say this with my own mouth... but I've already done it! I don't want to lose Karmeut to anyone else! That’s why I’m trying to connect Aria and Namuel, and why I wanted power---!!

"I didn't even want power if I’m not going to be your partner."

Karmeut's lips trembled.

---I'm kinda afraid to see the next reaction.

Unable to face his eyes which were brighter and more intense than ever, I turned my head away slightly. And almost at the same time, he pulled me into his arms.

"Oomph---!!"

"Is it true? I’m not hearing wrong, am I? Did you really, really think so, and say that?"

--- Even without looking at his face, I could feel that he was very excited and happy that he could die.

Well, I’m not lying... Since Karmeut had said it, I too…

Even without looking in the mirror, I could tell that my cheeks were getting hotter.

"Ther, there's no way you're mistaken---!! I, I took the courage to say---!"

My lips were sealed from speaking more, and my eyes widened. I could feel Karmeut's arms shaking as he deepened our kiss.

He intertwined my tongue in longing. I closed my eyes as he held me tightly as if he would not let go. I quietly responded to his actions.

"...ha..."

I slowly opened my eyes as the sticky tongues separated. I stared into the sparkling golden eyes in front of me.

"...I thought it would take a little longer for you to say those words... Well, I thought I was the only one who was in love, and you just follow me ever since we first met...."

With a bit of gibberish, Karmeut did not take his gaze away from me. His eyes were moist.

"It’s... Oh, sorry. Wait a minute."

I could see the tears welling up in his eyes as he turned his head hastily. I was baffled by Karmeut's behavior and asked,

"Karmeut, are you crying?"

"No, no, no, just, I, I just..."

I felt his arms tremble as he repeated the words ‘No’ and ‘just’. Finding that somehow cute and lovely, I reached out and touched Karmeut's cheek.

Karmeut flinched slightly. Then he grabbed my hand.

"...I’m very, very happy."

Tears streamed down the corners of his smiling eyes as he said he was happy. My heart throbbed and felt ticklish at the teardrops that wet my fingertips. I’m going crazy because Karmeut looked so pretty.

Aghh! Why is it that a handsome man who sheds tears seems so blinding?! You look prettier with a big gap between this and your usual sly smile and relaxed appearance! Is, is this what ‘blinded by love’ is?! How are so pretty!!

Karmeut's appearance was so pretty, my heart raced so much that I couldn't say anything. As if holding a precious treasure, he stroked my hand that was on his cheek.

"I love you."

I was surprised by the sudden words. No, rather than being surprised, it felt like my heart was pounding, yet it was also at ease.

And then, my lips trembled in line with my rapidly beating heart in my chest.

‘I love you’ is a common saying. And I know how comprehensive the word ‘love’ is.

But, hearing it from Karmeut like this...

I was so happy. My heart was trembling so much. The happiness soaked into my heart to the point that my mind turned blank...

I kissed his lips first. The words “I love you too-” didn’t come out of my mouth, but I felt like my heart would explode, so I had no choice but to use actions instead of words.

The teary eyes widened in surprise. I looked at those eyes that sparkled more than melted pure gold or any other jewel, then I closed my eyes.

He gently wrapped my body and tangled my tongue, gladly responding to my actions.

His arms, as always, were wide, reliable, and warm.

There was a feeling that my whole body will melt. His eyes sparkled to the point where I can tell that he wanted to convey his love more than this.

Seeing and feeling all of that, I felt so happy to be loved by someone.

This was the second time I shared everything with him, but the feeling was completely different. Somehow... there was no more hesitation now, and he behaved as if he didn't need to endure anything anymore, which was exhausting.

---Still, it was good... It, it was much better than the first time…

---I feel like I'm revealing things when I say this.

The fact that doesn't change is that I'm perfectly happy. To the extent that words were not necessary to be spoken. I was so delighted to accept all of his actions.

***

*Karmeut’s POV

Karmeut looked at the sleeping figure. Rainelle’s body was full of traces of him as she leaned fully against him and slept soundly.

This was the second time. And... for the first time, it was a relationship we had while we were sure that our hearts were on the same wavelength.

The first time was after I received the letter. Of course, I was glad that she accepted me then rather than rejecting me.

But the letter could have been sent simply out of curiosity. It may have been that she was in a state of estrus. Because Rainelle’s true nature is not a human, but a crow.

...I was worried that she likes me just as a family. That she said that she was happy to be by my side, but could fall in love with others.

Maybe... it wouldn't be like that if we were of the same kind. I was worried that maybe I could make her uncomfortable as I continue to love her one-sidedly. I even considered if it would be for the best to send her out with other crows…

Before, that anxiety never went away. So, so...

When she conveyed that she didn't even want power if she was not going to be my partner…

I was insanely happy that our hearts had really connected.

"I love you."

Mumbling the words that he had also whispered all night, Karmeut hugged Rainelle.

"I love you, Rainelle."

Whispering that over and over again, Karmeut embraced the soft and tender body in his arms.

A feeling of excitement he had never felt even when he won the Bozcourt or when became the Emperor at his coronation ceremony washed over him.

His body and mind were completely connected with his beloved.

It gave him a sense of pride, satisfaction, and possessing everything that was incomparable to when he had an empire.

He curled up in a cozy, warm, and languid feeling. He had woken up, but he wanted to savor this feeling a little more.

Then, when Rainelle was mumbling in her sleep, he gently patted her back as if to soothe her.

"Umm..."

"You can sleep some more, Rainelle."

*Rainelle’s POV

A soft, gentle voice. It was familiar, but the voice that dripped with affection more than ever calmed my heart.

I really felt like I could get some more sleep. The comforting whispers, the hands gently stroking my back, and the reliable and warm arms were all really comfortable.

I opened my eyes, forcing myself not to fall asleep again.

"You can sleep more."

As Karmeut smiled softly and curled the corners of his eyes, honey was dripping from his gaze. I shrugged my shoulders slightly at that gaze. I was both shy and happy... it was a strange feeling.

"No, I'm not sleepy."

Saying so, I rested my head in his arms. Then, while smiling softly, he stroked my head gently.

"Hey, Karmeut. I want to ask you something... Is it okay?"

"As much as you like."

He continued smiling.

"Were you very anxious?"

At that, Karmeut’s eyes widened. Then he replied with a bitter smile,

"...I was thinking ‘because you're a crow, your partner must be a crow-‘ before."

He spoke in a calm voice, but the fingertips that stroked my head were trembling.

" ‘Being by my side, being shy, angry, and worried about... Maybe it's because you’re friendly, and because you see me as a family member. Maybe you sent a love letter out of curiosity because Young Lady Gwynell is doing that?’ These thoughts wouldn’t disappear from the corner of my mind."

At that, I went quiet. I felt very sorry for Karmeut.

Of course, I indeed looked for ways to survive at first, but after Aria appeared, no, even before that... It wasn’t simply that anymore.

" ‘Since your nature is a crow, even if you can transform into a human, maybe you will pair up with other male crows according to your nature... Then what should I do?’ So I said that you’ll be the next Empress at the coronation ceremony, in hope that I could keep you by my side.”

As he said that, Karmeut's smiled as if he was pathetic.

He was always laid-back, sly, and gentle.

But inside, you hid such a great sense of anxiety… Even so, you said you would seduce me so that I could fall for you without showing a hint of it.

I couldn't imagine how Karmeut felt when looking at me, expressing affection while swallowing such anxiety inside.

Ah, that's why he was very careful when we first did it.

"---You said you couldn't find another companion."

"Of course I did. Even now, that thought has not changed."

Karmeut answered without hesitation, and then continued speaking with a clumsy smile,

"But if you really wish... if you had a happier path... I'd do whatever you want."

The golden eyes were trembling as he said that. I hate to imagine it, but it seemed that he really meant it.

Stupid. That's really stupid.

I don't know how you can love so foolishly. Is it because you are also a wolf?

Wolves were solitary animals that were rare in nature. They mate only once in their lifetime and were faithful to each other.

Although Karmeut had a mixture of wolf blood inside him, his true nature was human.

I thought that no matter how he could turn into a wolf, it couldn’t overpower his human nature.

At first, I thought:

‘He is a member of the Imperial Family, and he is the one who will become emperor in the future. This is no longer a game world. I realized that fully ever since the incident with Luwellin.’

‘Most importantly... there is a heroine in the original game.’

That was why I was terrified. ‘Maybe I will be abandoned someday. Wouldn’t it be impossible for me to be more than just a pet?’

That was how I used to think… not now, of course.

However, I had no idea that Karmeut would be so anxious and be hurting alone because of my attitude.

"Sorry."

I'm sorry, really.

"I didn't expect you to think that way. I, I just..."

"It's okay."

Karmeut bent his eyes as he interrupted me. He kissed me on the forehead, again emphatically saying, "It's all right."

"Don't worry about it, it's fine now. Because I knew your feelings. So, so... Now, I'm so happy."

As he said that he was happy, Karmeut's had a dazzling smiling face. It was so pretty and lovely.

***