“Now then, the reason we came to the market today is for Snow.”
With that, Zex stopped in front of a certain stall.
There, cylindrical and square birdcages, toys for birds and cats and dogs, feed, collars, and various pet accessories were neatly displayed.
There were even clothes and ornaments for pets.
‘That ribbon… It looks like Zex-sama’s eye color.’
For some reason, what caught her eye was the indigo ribbon.
As she stared at it, Zex spoke to her.
“Snow, did you take a liking to this one?”
The grim-faced Marquis of Halbügen was speaking to a small bird, leaving the shopkeeper wide-eyed in disbelief.
“I’ll take this. And also, that one, this, and that over there.”
Zex proceeded to point at bird toys and goods shaped like bird nests, picking out several other items.
‘I—I’m going to leave here soon, so I can’t possibly accept all these things!’
Sharon hastily pecked at Zex’s hand, trying to protest, but before she knew it, the purchase had already been made.
“Since we have it, why not try it on right away?”
Taking the newly-bought indigo ribbon, Zex fastened it around Sharon’s neck.
She never expected to end up wearing a ribbon as a bird, but having such a beautiful ribbon around her neck lifted her spirits.
Unable to help herself, she fluffed her feathers and swayed her body, making Zex gasp.
“C-Could you possibly get any cuter…!?”
His reaction was so heartfelt that Sharon grew increasingly embarrassed.
At that moment—
“What was that just now? That was too funny!”
A sparkling young man, watching Zex swoon over the adorable little bird, burst into laughter.
His golden hair was neatly tied back, and his green eyes—reflecting Zex—were sparkling with tears from laughing so much.
Dressed in a crisp white shirt and pants that suited his handsome face, he strode toward them with confidence.
“Prince Light…” Zex instantly composed his expression and turned toward him.
‘Eh, His Highness!?’
Light was the name of the second prince of the Crusell Kingdom, if she remembered correctly.
The Margrave Halburgen Domain was quite distant from the Royal Capital.
There were many dangers in these borderlands.
So why was a prince here?
Judging from his attire, he seemed to be traveling incognito.
A few men who looked like guards stood behind him.
While Sharon was still in shock, Light began chatting amiably with Zex, laughing all the while.
“You always said you didn’t know how to compliment a lady, but you sure know how to praise a little bird… Heh, I got to see something wonderful today.”
“Your Highness, how many times must I ask you not to arrive unannounced…”
“It’s your own fault for ignoring my letters when I reach out to you.” With that, Light pouted.
Zex furrowed his brow and let out a deep sigh.
“So, it seems you’re very fond of that bird. How did you come by it?”
“I saved and took it in when it was attacked by a Magical Beast.”
“I see. But to think there was an animal that would become attached to Zex…”
Light fixed his gaze on Sharon, making her shrink back and freeze.
Sensing her anxiety, Zex gently stroked her back and spoke up.
“Yes. This child is special to me.”
His gentle tone as he declared she was special made Sharon’s chest warm.
“Special, huh… Come to think of it, you once said it was your dream to spend time with animals, didn’t you?”
Light gave a bright smile.
It seemed that he and Zex had been friends since long ago.
‘Zex-sama… So you love animals that much…’
She’d been surprised when he said he wanted to sleep with her as a bird, but it turned out it was simply because he loved animals so dearly.
“Well then, we have a lot to catch up on. Shall we move somewhere else?”
And so, they all returned to the manor of the Halbügen Household.
***
The urge to boast about the bird’s cuteness and the desire to keep her to himself clashed within Zex.
Right now, Zex was wrestling with those feelings as he faced Light.
He had brought Light to the parlor, Snow perched on his left shoulder.
Light wore a refreshing smile as he reached out to Snow.
Zex appreciated Light’s friendship since childhood, but this was one thing he could not yield.
Zex grabbed Light’s wrist.
“Snow is timid, so please refrain from touching her, Your Highness.”
“No, I think you’re scarier than I am.”
“Snow only gets attached to me.”
When he let go, Light rubbed his wrist and complained, “Brute strength, as always.”
“Hey, Zex. Isn’t there something more important than playing with birds?”
“Your Highness… No matter how many times you ask, I have no intention of marrying yet.”
“I get the feeling that you don’t mean ‘yet,’ but ‘not ever.'”
Zex answered Light’s question with silence.
He had always declined invitations to evening parties arranged by the Royal Family, citing work, and refused every marriage proposal brought to him.
That’s why Light would sometimes come visit him in person like this.
He understood the duty of the Halbügen Household in his head.
Even so, marriage was not a matter concerning himself alone.
“But really, what young lady would want to marry the ‘cursed man of the cursed land’? People call it a ‘sacrificial marriage’ these days…”
“Zex. This land is of utmost importance to the Royal Family. The Halbügen Household must continue, even if it is a cursed lineage.”
Light’s smile faded, his expression growing serious, “You shouldn’t be spending your time taking care of a bird right now. In a few years, the curse will consume your life.”
“That’s…true, but…”
As Zex fell silent, Light pressed on, “That bird, too—maybe she wants to go back to her family. She’s a wild bird, isn’t she? If she’s healed, you should set her free.”
He knew he couldn’t keep her tied to him forever.
Snow longed to fly in the sky.
He knew she always gazed at the sky with yearning.
“Zex. I’m worried about you as a friend. You can’t carry everything by yourself. You should have someone to support you.”
“If it means sacrificing someone, then I’d rather be alone…”
Light was right.
Zex appreciated his friend’s concern.
But if the curse he bore caused pain not just for him but for someone he loved as well—
He couldn’t bear that.
“I’ll wait for one more year. If you don’t find someone yourself within that time, the Royal Family will choose a match for you.”
“Understood.”
Marriage was a noble’s duty.
For the Halbügen Household, responsible for defeating Magical Beasts and defending the kingdom, it was a matter of course to continue the family for the nation’s sake.
Zex’s wish to avoid marriage was a selfish one that could not be allowed.
The time had come for him to face reality.
“And one more thing. About that young lady who escaped during her exile from the country…”
Light was referring to the incident that had been reported to him around the time he took in Snow.
Currently, that criminal had a wanted notice issued for her.
“Since we received the report, we’ve been searching the border area, but we still haven’t found her. If she’s evading us this thoroughly, perhaps she hasn’t crossed the border after all, or maybe she was already killed by Magical Beasts… Either way, we need to look into it further.”
“The one who ran is a terrible villainess, you know—attempted murder out of jealousy over the Crown Prince’s fiancée. Tried to kill the fiancée and take the Crown Princess’s position herself. She’s infamous for her flashy looks and seducing men, with countless victims. She could be hiding somewhere with a man she’s fooled into helping her.”
“I see…”
As expected of the Royal Family’s information network—even rumors Zex hadn’t heard had reached Light.
If so, perhaps it was time to change their search methods.
“Given the timing of her disappearance, it’s possible she’s hiding in this area. Zex, you don’t seem the type to be fooled by a woman, but be careful around strangers. Still, as you said, there’s a chance she’s already been killed by a Magical Beast.”
“No need for concern. No woman comes near me. Let alone a criminal—I’d never go easy on one.”
“…Yet you’re completely possessive over a bird.”
Zex pretended not to hear Light’s muttered words.
‘As long as Snow is with me, that’s all I need…’
He knew that, for Snow’s sake, he should let her go soon.
Still, every day since meeting her had been joyful, filled with happiness.
He’d never felt this way before.
Days once gray with resignation and awaiting death had become vibrant with color.
The entire atmosphere of the manor had brightened.
“Lastly, what’s the status of the Magical Beasts’ rampage problem?”
Zex answered honestly, troubled by this issue for some time now.
“Upon examining the defeated Magical Beasts, we’ve noticed their Magic Stones have changed color. There is definitely some external cause at work. We’re still investigating whether it’s a change in the Forest of Evil or something intentional.”
From the start, this cursed land had always attracted Magical Beasts.
The curse of the Halbügen Household was the cause—there was no doubt.
However, Zex believed the recent rampage and the curse were two separate matters.
There was no record among the previous heads of the family of Magical Beasts becoming so violent.
Until now, he had been able to handle dozens of beasts in a single day without trouble, but their rampaging nature now made things much more difficult.
If it were just one rampaging beast, slaying it would end the matter, but this problem was different.
If this continued, the town of Srodia and the entire Margrave Halburgen Domain would be at risk.
Even the rough men who came hoping to make money by slaying Magical Beasts might end up killing themselves.
He couldn’t be sure if the discolored Magic Stones were safe.
They’d increased the number of patrols, but unless the cause was found and dealt with, it would just go in circles.
“I understand the situation. Please continue handling it as you have been.”
With that, Light stood up.
As the second prince, he was a busy man.
He didn’t have to come to this cursed land, and yet he always made time to visit and check on Zex.
When Zex stepped outside to see Light off, the sky was thick with clouds.
It looked as though rain might fall soon.
“Your Highness, thank you for coming all this way. It looks like the weather will worsen—please take care on your way back.”
“Ah. I expect a good answer from you regarding marriage.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
“Still, with the villainess’s escape and the rampaging Magical Beasts overlapping, I have a bad feeling about this…” As Light spoke those words, thunder rumbled in the sky.
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