Of All Things, I Became a Crow

*Karmeut’s POV

Karmeut, too, was happy with the situation now. It was something he had pointed out at one point, but being away from Rainelle for about a month or so was something Karmeut would never want to go through again.

He enjoyed the feel of the smooth feathers on the tip of his fingers. The feathers, which were smoother than velvet, held a little warmth.

Her chest that went up and down, the purple eyes that were looking up at him, and the little toes that twitched from time to time were so cute.

A smile hung on Karmeut's lips as he felt relieved after all the suffering that happened in the past month and a half, including the banquet.

The crow was also so delightful and happy that Rainelle lay comfortably on his lap, even closing her eyes. It was funny and cute to see her belly up as she clearly enjoyed his touch.

"Would you like some fruit?"

"Caaw!"

Karmeut chuckled at Rainelle’s actions of flipping over and moving her tail feathers as she cried out loudly. Then he took one of the apples from the tray that had always been prepared and offered it close to her beak.

Rainelle, who pecked at the apple with her pointed beak, looked very happy. She couldn't chew like a human and only peched at it a little at a time, so Karmeut was wondering what was so enjoyable about it.

Is the form of a crow really comfortable?

A small question flashed through his mind and then disappeared.

Well, there is nothing to understand, isn't it? I prefer my human(original) form to my wolf form right now, so it should also be like that for her.

Seeing Rainelle diligently pecking at an apple made Karmeut want to eat one too for no reason. So he reached out his other hand, picked up a fruit, and brought it into his mouth.

The crunchy, chewy flesh and sweet juice were familiar, but somehow it felt more delicious than usual.

Karmeut who was eating the fruit with crunchy noises made Rainelle glanc at the Emperor while blinking her eyes.

Karmeut asked a question as she stared intently at him while tilting her head,

"What is it, Rainelle? Do you want another fruit?"

As he said so, Karmeut slowly blinked his puzzled eyes. There was still a considerable amount left to say that she ate all the fruit.

Suddenly, the crow spread her wings and flew. She moved towards the tray on which the cookies were placed and then landed softly.

The crow, who had turned her head back and forth to pick up a cookie, opened her beak and whined as she was unable to do so. The cookies had a flat bottom and would only stick to the plate and pushed back and forth according to the movement of her beak as she attempted to clamp one.

Just as she was pondering what she was supposed to do and was thinking of getting some help, Rainelle finally succeeded to pick up a cookie with her beak.

The crow puffed up her black feathers and lifted his head slightly, feeling proud that she had picked up the cookie through difficulty. Rainelle, who had stuck out her chest as if bragging, spread her wings and flew towards Karmeut.

Then she dropped the cookie on his palm. Rainelle fixed her twinkling clear purple eyes on Karmeut, which made the man burst into laughter.

"Pfft! Thank you, Rainelle. I'll eat it gratefully."

The Emperor raised his hand and bit the cookie. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, the cookies were the same as usual, but this one was exceptionally sweeter and tastier.

If she had changed into her human form, she would have been able to pick it up more easily.

But that thought was erased by the happy look of Rainelle who was sitting on his lap.

When he gently stroked her small, smooth feathers with his index finger, she closed her eyes softly as if she was satisfied. Seeing her reaction, Karmeut couldn't help but smile.

Well, it doesn't matter what she looks like. The crow I met for the first time and her appearance as a beautiful lady are both lovely.

"Would you like to play with jewels after a long time?"

Saying so, Karmeut reached out to the jewel box. Hearing those words, the crow flew to the bed, wiggling her tail feathers as her eyes twinkled.

Seeing her like that, the Emperor smiled and laid the jewels on the bed. The glittering, special jewels for Rainelle only were scattered on the white sheet.

"Caw!"

The crow puffed up her feathers happily and stamped her feet, then she rolled over on the jewels. They were most likely hard, but the crow was rolling around regardless. At one point, she rose from lying down.

Then she picked up a jewel with her beak and threw it. The red jewel goes up and then fell on the sheet.

The crow ran towards the fallen jewel, held the jewel with her beak, and threw it again. After throwing the jewel repeatedly for such a long time, the crow, who had played catch, puffed her feathers to the fullest.

Rainelle flapped her wings a few times, turned her head once, and let out a cry to show that she was in a really happy mood. Then she flew straight into Karmeut's arms.

It would be weighty for a large crow to fly at such speed. If it was anyone else, they might let out an “Ugh,” unconsciously, but Karmeut had gotten used to it.

The Emperor laughed and enjoyed the crow's cute behavior of rubbing her whole body on him. Seeming happy all the way through.

***

*Rainelle’s POV

"Rainelle, can you come over for a second?"

"Caw? (Why?)"

The question ‘why’ came reflexively, but I flapped my wings and flew to him anyway. Karmeut, who was looking at me until I sat on his arm, gently stroked my beak and opened his mouth,

"Is there anything you want to do? I’ve become free after the banquet."

---You say that, but you’re the one whose eyes are twinkling...

I think that Karmeut was the excited one, but I didn’t let the words come out of my mouth.

I’m a crow now anyway, so nothing but cawing sounds will come out.

Karmeut had worked hard so far, so wouldn't it be ok to give him a break? I had a hard time too, but how about Karmeut who was in the position to prepare the banquet?

Thinking about it, I felt very sorry for him.

That's right, he just worked all day like an office worker that even does overtime.

"What does Karmeut want to do?"

His eyes widened when I asked after changing myself into a human form. Karmeut, who blinked as if he didn't expect that I would ask such a question, responded with an embarrassed smile,

"I can’t think of anything."

"I also don't want to do anything or want anything right now. I’m happy just being able to walk around in the form of a crow…?"

Saying so, I returned to my crow form. Then I sat down on his shoulder and rubbed my beak on his cheek. Karmeut laughed lowly and stroked my wing.

"Then shall we go for a walk in the garden?"

"Caaw!! (great!!)"

With a small chuckle, Karmeut left the room with me on her shoulder. It was spectacular to see that as the Emperor of this country began to move, the servants, maids, and even knights also moved to escort Karmeut.

Wow, so many people following a single person? Well, he also got escorts before. Still, the number of people can't be compared to when he was a prince.

Even so, there was no change in the pressure. So I glanced at them, but Karmeut only moved his feet as if he was used to it.

This time, we came to a different garden than the last time. This place was surrounded by vines of red, pink, yellow, white, and even blue roses. The rose garden, which was made of roses, was filled with the thick scent of roses.

Some knights went out to guard the perimeter of the garden, while the others stationed themselves near Karmeut. Naturally, the servants and maids were waiting near the pavilion.

...I shuddered at the atmosphere that somehow didn't make me feel like I was out playing even though I was here to play. In response to my reaction, Karmeut said gently stroked my back as if to say that it was okay.

"It's okay. Whatever they see or hear, they won't bring it back."

...Even if you say it like that, how can I ignore these people...

I sighed and shook my head. Then I saw the golden eyes shaking, and I immediately felt sorry.

I want Karmeut to be comfortable. Oh, how can I put out the fire? OMG! This fool! This bird head!! No matter how much you become a bird, you can’t be so stupid!!

I quickly landed on Karmeut’s lap. Then I rubbed my beak at the tip of his finger.

With a small laugh, Karmeut began moving his finger. As if playing a joke, he hovered that finger in the air and tapped the tip of my beak.

I opened my beak at the touch and bit his fingertip slightly and very gently. Then Karmeut smiled even brighter and touched my cheek while his finger was still bitten.

Oh, come on. Karmeut, you’re cheating---! That makes me melt---!!

...no! I shouldn’t be like this! It's not about me! I’m the one who’s supposed to make Karmeut happy, right? I need to make him enjoy the moment!

I pondered while enjoying his touch.

How can I make Karmeut happy? I can't give him anything... I’m a crow who got no money, what can I give?

As I was thinking about it like that, I felt like my head got clear in an instant.

Ah! Hey! There’s something I can do!!

As I looked at him, the puzzled Karmeut tilted his head slightly.

...Ugh, that's unexpectedly cute--! No, no, no! Really! It's a problem if you're too handsome! I can't take my eyes off of you!

Groaning inwardly, I opened my beak and let his finger go. Then I spread its wings and flew away.

Will he like it? I’m gonna try!!

*3^rd person POV

The Emperor slowly blinked his eyes at the sight of the crow that suddenly flew away. He was momentarily worried that she would go too far, but the thought was quickly erased by the sight of that black bird hovering over a rose bush.

Karmeut's gaze was still on Rainelle as he ordered one of the servants to prepare refreshments. As for the crow, she was flying narrowly over the thorny rose vines and ripped off a rose petal with her beak.

The red petal fluttered and slowly fell to the floor. ...Then the wind blew and the petal floated up into the air again.

The crow's purple eyes curved as she looked at it. Perhaps she liked that, the bird, who hovered excitedly in place while cawing, began to tear off petals as she flew around the roses.

Red, pink, yellow, white, blue.

Various petals were scattered in the air. The eyes of the people present widened slightly at the sight of the petals circling the crow without falling to the floor.

Karmeut looked at her as if he was tranced. A black bird with a green or purple luster under the sunlight who danced in the air with flower petals was a rare sight. Also, it was beautiful.

The crow moved and bit the petals of nearby roses with her beak and let go of it, She continued hovering in the air and the petals followed her movements. Rainelle, who had created a scene that would not normally happen, flew to Karmeut like that.

As the crow sat on his lap, rose petals fell upon his lap.

A smile hung on the corners of Karmeut's lips at the rose petals that scattered like colorful jewels and the appearance of the crow who stared at him like she was asking “How is it?”.

"...Did you get help from the wind spirit?"

Rainelle’s feathers swelled up as she nodded and cried out to reply. Facing the expectant gaze, the Emperor opened his mouth,

"-It's so cool. I never imagined I'd be able to see something like this."

At those words, the crow made a happy cry. She then changed into her human form.

"Was it really good?"

“It was so wonderful and beautiful that I was amazed.”

At that, Rainelle smiled brightly. Her sparkling purple eyes curved, and she covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.

"I'm glad---! It's not as good as I thought it would be."

Rainelle's happy face was dazzling. The Emperor, who looked at her with his eyes squinted, offered his hand.

Then, as if it was the natural thing, Rainelle placed her hand on his although she looked at him as if asking “What is it?”.

Seeing that, Karmeut couldn't stand it and pulled her closer. Then, the astonished Rainelle opened her eyes wide as she was hugged in his wide arms.

***