Time rewinds a little—.
After dinner, Zex returned to his duties, overwhelmed by emotions he had never experienced before.
“Little Bird, you’re just too cute… What is that, that’s just not fair.”
He recalled the fluffy, round, and adorable shape, and the words slipped out from his heart without thinking.
The way she shied away from insects, the earnest way she ate when hungry, the chirping cries—.
Every gesture and action of the Little Bird had completely stolen his heart.
Of course, her appearance was irresistibly cute, but even more, the Little Bird had acted as if she regretted pecking at Zex’s arm.
He was used to being feared, and as long as he could tend to injuries, he thought that was enough.
But then, seeing that demure side—he simply couldn’t take it.
Is it really okay for such a cute creature to exist?
No, it’s fine. Of course, it’s fine.
‘I can’t forgive the fact that she was hurt, but just this once, I find myself grateful to the Magical Beast.’
Recently, the increasing ferocity of Magical Beasts in the nearby area had become a serious issue, so patrols had been strengthened.
It was then that he found the Little Bird, attacked by a Magical Beast and wounded.
She was so small, a white bird with an unusual rose-red pattern.
When he brought the Little Bird home, the mansion was thrown into an uproar.
“Lord Zex rescued a Little Bird…!?”
“He always used to glare and scare off animals, though…?”
“How adorable!”
“Even in these grim days filled with Magical Beasts, just having such a cute creature changes the whole mood.”
“I feel so healed!”
Normally, these people rarely engaged in idle talk before Zex, but this time, everyone was noisy.
“She’s injured, so keep quiet!”
He guarded the Little Bird, intimidating the servants who tried to approach.
‘Well, I do understand how they feel…’
It’s all because the Little Bird is just too adorable.
He’d never told anyone, but Zex actually loved animals.
However, animals were always afraid of Zex and refused to come near.
If anything, he was outright disliked.
Not wanting to frighten them unnecessarily, he kept his distance, and as a result, those around him assumed he disliked animals.
So, for Zex—who was only ever approached by Magical Beasts—meeting that Little Bird felt like destiny.
He truly wanted to touch her more, but hesitated.
The Little Bird was so small she could be held in one hand.
He feared that with his rough hands, he might break her.
Yet, he wanted to stroke those fluffy feathers.
He wanted to nuzzle her, to feel her warmth.
He wanted those round, beady eyes to reflect him.
He wanted to hear her adorable chirps.
Just thinking of the Little Bird filled his chest with tenderness.
‘That’s right, I should come up with a name.’
It would be inconvenient to have no name while she was under his care.
Her body was as white and fluffy as snow.
He had met her in the Snowy Forest.
Thinking of the Little Bird, Zex considered the matter earnestly.
“Alright. I’ll name her ‘Snow.'”
He wrote and erased countless possible names on paper, finally making his decision.
‘I wonder if she’ll like this name.’
Just as he was completely enraptured by the Little Bird, Ella arrived.
He had asked her to look after the Little Bird, so she must be here to report.
“Excuse me, Lord Zex.”
Ella bowed without changing her expression.
Both of her parents served the Halbügen Household, and from childhood, Ella had honed many skills.
Though her official role was to become the Lady’s attendant, she trained so that she could protect her master in an emergency.
Unlike the other servants, she did not fuss over the Little Bird.
That was why Zex had entrusted Ella with the Little Bird’s care.
“How is the Little Bird?”
Doing his best not to let his face break into a smile, Zex asked as calmly as he could.
“The ultimate floof… No, at the moment, she’s resting quietly in her birdcage.”
“I see…”
He felt a little sorry to keep her confined, but for safety, it was best she remain in the cage.
It also lessened the risk of her wounds reopening.
“You may go for the day. I’ll rely on you for the Little Bird again tomorrow.”
“Yes!” Ella’s voice seemed a bit livelier than usual, but it was probably just his imagination.
After seeing Ella off, Zex began to gather his papers, ready to finally return to his private quarters.
“Kh… ugh…!”
Suddenly, it felt as though something was strangling his neck; his entire body was pierced with needles of pain.
His breathing grew erratic, and though he tried desperately to calm the turbulence of his Magical Power, it was useless.
His hands trembled, and papers scattered onto the floor.
‘Damn it, not now…’
What tormented Zex was the curse passed down through the Halbügen Household.
When Zex became the head of the house, he inherited the curse from his father.
First, the hand, then the arm, the torso, the legs…
Gradually, the area affected by the curse expanded.
With each sudden attack, he wondered if this time he might die.
‘No, I can’t die yet… I’ve only just met you—’
The moment he found the Little Bird, he felt it instinctively.
That mysterious power radiating from her.
This Little Bird might just change his life—.
Gritting his teeth, Zex endured the pain of the curse.
After a while, the pain faded.
Taking a deep breath and straightening his clothes, Zex hurried to the Little Bird.
His back, bathed in moonlight, looked terribly lonely.
No wonder—the Little Bird had been attacked by a Magical Beast and brought abruptly to a strange place.
“Snow—it’s alright now. I will protect you.”
Zex spoke gently to the Little Bird, who cried silent tears in her sleep.