Chapter 54
Rufus, now transformed into a crow, flew towards the most radiant palace in the world. The maids’ quarters were built behind the princess’s palace.
Where could Sarubia be?
The crow circled the quarters, flapping its wings.
Sarubia disliked heat. She often slept undressed due to the warmth, so she probably left the window open tonight as well.
Fortunately, Rufus’s deduction was correct.
It wasn’t difficult to find Sarubia’s room. There was only one room with an open window.
It was the attic room at the very top of the quarters.
Flutter—
The crow landed softly on the windowsill.
Despite the darkness, a crow’s night vision was clear. Inside the attic, Sarubia was huddled alone, eyes closed in sleep.
Worrying she might be unclothed, Rufus was relieved to see she was wearing a thin dress.
‘Sarubia…’
Rufus’s heart pounded.
He wanted to approach her immediately and kiss her forehead, to bestow upon her a peaceful sleep with his magic. But he couldn’t bring himself to get closer.
Even secretly watching her sleep was a great intrusion. How could he dare to approach her any closer? Moreover, what use would it be to kiss her as a crow?
“Mmm…”
Sarubia stirred in her sleep. The mark of the saint on her shoulder caught his eye.
Probably she didn’t want others to know she was a saintess, which is why she chose to use such a small room alone.
‘At least she’s not hurting yet.’
Sarubia was unscathed.
Thankfully, it seemed the princess hadn’t started abusing her yet.
But he couldn’t waste time. He had to finish everything before the princess could harm Sarubia.
“…”
Rufus carefully observed Sarubia’s room.
As he remembered, Sarubia had almost no belongings. The almost empty room smelled of rotting wood and mildew, a displeasing stench that troubled Rufus.
Had Sarubia always lived in such a place?
This won’t do.
Sarubia deserves better.
Later, someday, once he would return to the Inferna Barony with Sarubia, he would give her the widest and cleanest room.
He would fill her room with everything she likes, whatever she desires. And, he would create a beautiful garden so that she can open the window in the morning and see her favorite Sarubia flowers.
While walking in that garden with her every morning, he endeavored to shake off all the dreadful memories of the past.
So that there’s not a day when you can’t smile, if I can live every day for you.
If we can live like that…
After confirming that Sarubia was safe, Rufus prepared to take flight again.
A few hours later, it will be sunrise. He had to return to the army before that.
However, just as he was about to leave, he turned his head one last time.
“Blanket, where…?”
Sarubia’s drowsy voice reached him.
Had she woken up?
Turning his head, he noticed that the lamp he had placed by the bed was now lit. Sarubia was searching for her disheveled blanket in the dim light.
The girl and the crow locked eyes.
Ah.
Rufus froze like a stuffed crow.
“Wow, a crow.”
Sarubia, who had been looking for her blanket, suddenly stood up and walked briskly towards the window.
Emergency bells went off in Rufus’s head.
Knowing that he had to flee immediately, Rufus was hyperaware of the situation. However, when he saw Sarubia approaching him, his body seemed to malfunction, and he couldn’t respond.
“Amazing. Even when you’ve seen a person, you’re not running away.”
Sarubia, dressed in a thin nightgown, stared intently at the crow perched by the window.
Rufus’s entire body stiffened. He never expected to be this close to Sarubia again so soon.
“Are you hungry? Do you want to eat this?”
Sarubia offered a cookie to the crow with a cheerful smile.
A cookie all of a sudden?
Confused, Rufus didn’t know what to do and hesitated.
“You won’t eat it? Oh, I see. You’re a wild crow, right? Then I’ll give you something else.”
When the crow didn’t approach, Sarubia set the cookie on the windowsill and started picking something up carefully.
“Here, have this.”
“……”
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