Of All Things, I Became a Crow

odded obediently, soon disappeared.
Only then did the maids open their mouths, expressing their displeasure,

“Rainelle-nim, who is that rude person…”

“He's an assassin who helped during the incident that threaten His Majesty’s life.
I also make a personal request to him.”

“But he shouldn’t appear so suddenly like that…
This is the Imperial Palace, Rainelle-nim!”

“It's okay if he doesn't do it too much.
After all, he is one of the most capable assassins.
It's rather strange if he enters the Palace by following the procedures.”

Saying so, I managed to calm the maids while walking, and before I knew it, I have arrived at my destination.

“Sir Galenos.
How are you feeling?”

“Ah, Rainelle-nim.”

I stopped him from forcing himself to get up.

“Please lie down.”

“But…”

“Should I give you an order?”

At that, he fell silent and leaned his back on the headboard.
Looking at him like that, I slowly sat down on the chair next to the bed.

Galenos’ injuries were serious.
His vertebras were cracked, his internal organs ruptured, and his thigh muscles were torn by Namuel's bite.
In addition, unfortunately, I heard that the wolf's claws brushed his blood vessels, causing him to lose a great amount of blood.

“I heard that no matter how much you are healed with divine power, you need enough rest.
I’d like to tell you not to worry about anything and just take a good rest.”

“—Uh, Rainelle-nim.
His Majesty the Emperor…”

“—He's done with his recuperation and is handling government affairs.”

’

Hearing that, Galenos clenched his fists tightly.

“—Then I'll come back too.”

“Sir Galenos.”

“My Lord is doing government affairs, how can I rest? Besides, I've already had enough rest.
Rather, it was frustrating because I couldn't move my body.
So…”

Hearing him, I sighed deeply.
—It was because I remembered what Karmeut had said:

 

[“If Galenos says he wants to come back, let him do it.
It’s a waste of time to stop him.”]

 

—It was as if he had expected this situation.
Hm, was his and Karmeut’s friendship so close in the setting?

“—Haha.
Karmeut knew everything.”

“—Yes? What do you mean…”

“His Majesty said that if Sir Galenos said that he would return, then so be it.
Judging your answer, it seems that His Majesty had already expected it.”

At those words, Galenos’ eyes widened slightly.

“If you judge yourself to be in good shape, do whatever you want.
However, you should keep in mind that only when you are healthy is the Emperor's back safe.”

“-I'll keep that in mind, Your Highness the Empress.”

I covered my mouth with a fan as I felt tickled at the sound of ‘Your Highness the Empress’.

I said, “I haven’t married His Majesty the Emperor yet.”

“…But His Majesty's companion is Rainelle-nim.”

I didn't feel like refuting him, so I just laughed it off.

—To be honest, I didn't want to give the seat next to Karmeut to someone else either.
Furthermore…

I felt good because I felt like the title ‘Your Highness the Empress’ suits Karmeut's companion.

Is it because I had only heard ‘Rainelle-nim’ until now, and then I suddenly heard ‘Your Majesty the Empress’? Or is it because the heart is so tricky?

…But, it felt good.
My mood became better.
That was why I got up from my seat while laughing.

“The next time we meet, I hope to see you in good health.”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Then I'll be on my way.
Take good care of yourself.”

Watching him bow his head respectfully, I left the treatment center.
Of course, many other knights were badly injured besides Galenos.
—Unfortunately, some people died.

Still, after Karmeut recuperated, and enough time had passed to catch the traitors and get rid of them, it felt like the wounds and damages Namuel had inflicted when he ran amok were getting better.

Anyway, Miel must be doing well in his treatment.

I almost forcibly pushed his back for him to go through his treatment.
I appreciate his loyalty, of course, but I can’t bear a person who’s not in a good shape following me around.

’

Besides, I heard that when a high-level spirit is going through forced dismissal, the contractor’s intestines will become mush.
—Of course, if it really turns into mush, he'll die instantly, so that's most likely a metaphor! No, in the first place, if such a metaphor is used, that means it’s serious!!

Please, please, please! I hope you get better and come back!! If someone is sick from loyalty, it's a lot of pressure! It's very burdensome!!

Walking while grumbling inside, I suddenly realized that I had visited everyone I wanted to visit.

Uh…
what should I do now?

After thinking about it for a while, I realized. Oops, there’s one more person I need to meet, right? -It won't be a pleasant meeting, but…

I was debating whether to meet or not, but in the end, I made up my mind to go meet this person.

Since Adriana is coming tomorrow, I'd better meet Namuel beforehand and hear his thoughts.

After taking a few deep breaths, I made my way to the room where Namuel was being confined.

Leaving the maids to wait outside, I went into the room by myself.

-I'd rather us be alone.
That way, in the unlikely event that Namuel ran out of control again, the maids wouldn’t become stumbling blocks.

I didn't want to risk the life of the innocent maids. Well, because it's inside a room, it's a disadvantageous place for me…
But since Namuel's physical condition isn't good, I don't think it will be as bad as before.

“…Ah! Rainelle-nim—!!”

Namuel, who was sitting in bed reading, tried to get up as he closed the book.

—I can understand why he's trying to get up when he sees me, but it's uncomfortable when a sick person did that.

After restraining him from getting up, I started talking,

“How are you feeling?”

“It has improved a lot.”

“…That's good news.”

A brief silence fell.
He didn't seem to know what to say.
His restlessness was clearly visible, so I opened my mouth first,

“Tomorrow, Miss Adriana will enter the Imperial Palace.”

Namuel's shoulders shook with a flinch.

Looking at it, I hesitated for a moment.

Am I really qualified to ask this question? Could it be that I am too nosy?

…But, because of the feelings between them, Karmeut almost died.

Conflict arose within me –But my mind was already tilted to one side.

“Marquis Namuel.
What do you think of Miss Adriana?”

***

 

 Notes:

1  This, we’re not so sure of the translation either, but we assume that Sedarun is a bird too(?) Maybe not a crow though.↩