Chapter 6
“Come get Uncle Tom’s apple pies! They’re packed with fruit and melt in your mouth the moment you take a bite! Plenty of people haven’t tried Uncle Tom’s apple pie yet, but no one ever stops at just one!”
A rich, sweet aroma drifted through the air.
Apple pie has always been one of my favorite treats. I had been terribly disappointed that I hadn’t gotten to eat any since arriving in the human world.
Then that shall be my meal for today.
I approached the man enthusiastically advertising his apple pies and issued my command.
“Hand one over.”
“Ah, an apple pie, miss? Would you like one? Or perhaps two? We have plenty, so just say the word!”
The merchant rubbed his hands together eagerly, a friendly smile spread across his face. I considered the matter for a moment before answering.
“Two would be preferable. I am terribly hungry, and those apple pies happen to look particularly appetizing.”
“I’ll have them ready for you right away. That’ll be just three lots.”
“Three lots?”
“Yes, three lots.”
What are lots? Was that the currency humans used here?
At Human Servant No. 1’s estate, I had never needed anything in exchange for food or shelter, so I had completely forgotten that things normally required payment.
“I have no such thing.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I do not possess any. Instead, when my personal guard and family arrive here, I shall have them reward you handsomely for your efforts. They would think nothing of giving you an expensive jewel or two.”
The merchant’s beaming smile slowly stiffened.
Crack!
It was almost possible to see his expression fracture. His face went red, then purple, and before long, a thunderous shout erupted from him.
“What the hell is wrong with you?! You look like a beggar, and you’re talking about personal guards and jewels? Who do you think you are, trying to get food without paying for it?!”
“What? What is wrong with me? A beggar?”
“Damn it, just my luck. Get lost while I’m still asking nicely!”
Never in my life had I suffered such humiliation.
I wanted to give him a piece of my mind, but I was so stunned that I couldn’t even think of what to say. The sudden commotion had drawn the attention of the humans nearby, and they began whispering among themselves as they stared at me.
“What’s with that woman? Did she really ask for food without any money?”
“She looks perfectly normal.”
“Who knows? She might have a pretty face but be completely insane. I’m bored, though. Maybe I should go talk to her.”
The way they looked at me was different from anything I had ever known.
In the Wren Kingdom, everyone adored me. No matter what I did, I was simply someone who could not help but be loved.
‘Th-This is….’
Something was terribly wrong.
I hurried away from the scene. I had thought I understood how the human world worked after observing it for so long.
Had I been completely mistaken? I tried the same thing somewhere else, only to receive an even harsher response.
“You damn freeloader! Just try showing your face here again!”
This time, I nearly got punched. The man’s fist swept right past my face, and my heart began pounding violently in my chest.
‘I thought all I had to do was avoid eagles.’
Apparently not.
After that, several suspicious humans even began following me, and I barely managed to shake them off.
Could I truly survive like this? I didn’t even know where I was supposed to go.
The only place that came to mind was Human Servant No. 1’s warm, comfortable estate.
But I had stormed out of there on my own two feet. I couldn’t simply crawl back now.
Besides, what if he tried to marry me off to that hideous bird again? Just how lowly did he think of me to dare present such an inferior bird as a suitable husband?
‘Not even over my dead body!’
After wandering aimlessly for quite some time, I eventually found myself on a mountain path I used to walk with Human Servant No. 1.
At least this area was familiar. I knew where things were and could find my way around without getting lost.
To fill my empty stomach, I picked small berries from the trees. Whenever I grew thirsty, I drank water from the lake, and when night fell, I squeezed myself into a tiny hollow barely large enough to contain my body and tried to sleep.
But I was still hungry. Those tiny berries did almost nothing to satisfy me.
And the nights were unbearably cold.
No matter how many leaves I scraped together and piled over myself, the chilly air seeped through, leaving me shivering uncontrollably.
‘Why… did things end up like this?’
The whole disaster had begun with those black storm clouds that sent me into the human world. Afterward, I had been fortunate enough to be taken in by a human servant who saved my life.
But then his mistake had ruined everything.
As memories of those happy days resurfaced, a spark of resentment flared inside me. And naturally, it was directed straight at that human servant.
“You stupid fool!”
By now, he was probably spending blissful days with his new bird.
They were probably eating together, going on walks together, and curling up in that warm, comfortable bed at night.
The thought made my chest ache with indignation.
It wasn’t fair.
I refused to accept it.
Why was I the only one suffering like this?
“Sniff… I’ll make you regret it.”
I would make sure he could never so much as look at anyone else besides me.
Just like the prince of the Sparrow Kingdom had fallen hopelessly for me, I would make Schwein cling to me, cry for me, and beg me not to leave.
With that vow burning in my heart, the unusually cold night slowly passed.
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