Chapter 22
At the same time, I sensed it intuitively—that now was the exact right time to part from him.
I said nothing in particular to Raven. I also buried in my heart the fact that he had feigned illness because he wanted to stay with me a little longer.
I simply continued living ordinarily, no differently from usual.
When it was time to eat, I personally fed him, filled his exclusive bowl with water, and watched him drink for a while.
Once he finished eating, I took Raven to the garden, which was now overflowing with warmth clearly enough to notice.
“It’s time to go to the garden, little one.”
When I called him, he lifted his head proudly, as if showing off the handkerchief tied around his neck, and naturally climbed onto my shoulder. Then, seeing how he kept sneaking glances at me, it was clear he was inwardly fretting, ‘Why isn’t she saying anything to me?’
Even though I could read his thoughts plainly, I deliberately didn’t say a single word about what had happened that day.
Even though, after James visited, he had suddenly recovered as if washed clean and no longer limped.
After arriving at the garden, I settled in a suitable spot where no one else’s eyes would reach, and let Raven go.
“Fly as much as you like. When I whistle, come back here.”
“Caw.”
Raven answered me immediately when I gave him the usual warning. Then, using his extraordinary animal instincts, he spread his wings, rode the wind, and flew freely through the sky.
While he took his lighthearted sun time, I sat at a nearby table, tilted my teacup, and quietly watched him grow distant like a single dot.
‘When we truly part, that person will probably fly away from me just like that too.’
As I looked up at Raven, who had already become a dot, I suddenly sank into sentiment.
The purpose of our first meeting had already been achieved.
After the long winter, I had discovered Raven Barietsch, succeeded in saving him, and finally succeeded in opening his heart enough that he wanted to postpone his parting from me.
Because he was in the form of a crow, I couldn’t gauge how deeply he had fallen for me or the depth of his love, but if he wanted to delay our separation, then that could be called quite excellent.
“Miss.”
Just then, Maya, who had been pouring tea into my empty cup, carefully called me.
Only then did I awaken from my thoughts and open my mouth.
“What is it?”
“When do you plan to send that… child back?”
It was a question as cautious as her voice.
After quickly looking around several times, as if worried the crow who wasn’t even there might hear, she began revealing what was inside her heart.
“Actually, even though I was frightened all this time, I grew attached, so I feel very sorry to see him go, but… The Master and Madam keep asking about it. It’s a little harsh to say, but they say they ‘wish that thing would be removed’…”
In the middle of continuing, her voice suddenly grew quieter, and soon her head also dropped.
After falling silent for a moment, she politely clasped both hands and fiddled only with her innocent fingers. It seemed she had heard such words more than once or twice.
“I’m truly sorry to relay such words when you cherish that child so much, Miss.”
“There’s no need for you to apologize. Everyone knows Father and Mother don’t look kindly on that child. I’m only worried because it seems you must have had a hard time being caught in the middle.”
“Miss…”
Maya’s eyes grew wet with emotion.
Leaving her behind, I silently looked down at my teacup. My face was reflected in the clear orange tea. It was an indifferent face whose inner thoughts even I couldn’t know.
Meeting my own eyes in the tea, I slowly opened my mouth again.
“I’ll send that child back to the forest tomorrow, so tell Father and Mother not to worry.”
“Ah, understood. I’ll tell Master and Madam that!”
After she answered cheerfully and withdrew, deep silence and peace arrived.
It was a peaceful stillness that made me suddenly realize just how unbearably noisy my heart had been all this time.
‘Yes, now the time has truly come to let him go.’
The time to accept parting and the rehearsal for parting had been enough. All that remained was to wait with patience for the good news that would return.
As I drank the tea that had cooled a little, I steeled my heart like that.
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