Translator/editor: ruby

Lart got lost in thought for a moment.

A Shinsu and a royal were lovers. They didnt even seem to want to keep it a secret, at that.

Belinda, his half-sister, and Aymon, the Shinsu who appeared to be her lover.

His relationship with the two of them may have started badly, but now, they were close enough to allow him access to the guest palace without fuss.

It would be very helpful if I became the emperor.

To become the next emperor, hed have to win a battle against the existing forces. Maybe this relationship would prove useful then.

Thinking of that day, Lart nodded with a serious look.

***

Why is this progressing so slowly?!

Adelai threw her fan angrily, watching it roll away on the floor after hitting the Count. She took another quick breath.

She thought she could easily find Barahans descendant and win the Emperors trust, but people with blonde hair and golden eyes were few and far between.

It wasnt nearly as easy as shed thought, and her secret proceedings slowed things down even further.

The Count bent over to pick up the fan and held it out politely.

Im sorry, Princess. I will try harder.

Adelai, now alone after he left, fanned her hot face.

She recalled seeing the lowly princess with a Shinsu a few days ago, along with the Emperors eyes looking at her.

This couldnt be. There needed to be a turnaround.

Belinda Ryn Athez. She hated her from the first moment and never accepted her as a sister. Belindas existence was intrusive, no, maddening.

At first, she didnt like her humble origins, which demeaned the royal family, and her pretending to be elegant and regal.

Not to mention, half her blood was that of a lowly commoner.

How do you dare

Adelai threw her fan at the mirror.

Im from the true line of descent. Im the only princess of the Empire.

Still looking at herself in the mirror, she shouted out the door.

Get my things ready! Im going to visit Duke Rodson.

To secretly find Barahans descendant, and to officially have Duke Rodson in her hands that was Adelais goal.

To start with what she could do, Adelai grabbed the hand of the maid who was brushing her hair.

***

This vacation wont be easy.

Belinda said to Lucy in a somber voice. Theyd been planning to go on a summer vacation together, but everything fell flat when the Emperor called her in a few days ago.

Breedee, were going on a trip to the northern Gerban Peninsula. Get ready for it.

It was the first time she would go on a vacation with the royal family.

We have to go to the Gerban Peninsula with the royal family for an ice festival.

Of course, she wasnt very happy about the prospect. Shed have to endure Adelais and the Empresss death gazes, and it would be more like torture than a vacation.

Fortunately, Lucy could accompany her as a maid. Her improved relationship with Lart was also somewhat comforting.

Lart will love this.

Hed be over the moon to find out that he was going on a trip with Lucy and call it a blessing from the heavens.

Mazetto popped out from the bucket he was washing himself in.

Me too! Im going too!

Huh? Mazetto? You want to come?

Yes! Im going with you! To the north! To see ice!

He left prints on the floor every time he hopped and shouted.

Will you be able to stand not being able to talk?

Yes! I can! Im good at that! Im coming!

Belinda smiled and carefully wiped off his wet feathers.

She thought to ask about his sparrow girlfriend but stopped herself. Recently, Mazetto had been visiting the palace more often, didnt talk about his girlfriend, and more importantly, looked very gloomy for a few days. More talkative and fussy than anyone, he was deeply melancholic, helplessly chirping at the sky.

They must have broken up.

Were breakups hard for sparrows, just like for humans?

Belinda dried him off more carefully than usual and handed the wet cloth to the maid.

By the way, Mazetto. Is Aymon at home?

Aymons visits had become more sporadic again. She couldnt figure out what was going on, so she asked Mazetto, whose nest was close to where Aymon lived.

He stopped fiddling with his feathers and looked up.

I think he went to Sam!

Sam?

Yes! Yes! But could he be back already? Mazetto will go check!

Mazetto suddenly flew out the window, and Belindas attempts to catch him were futile.

I didnt tell you to go right away.

A few hours later, he returned.

Traveling to the forest and back twice in a day was too much for a tiny sparrow. Exhausted, he sat on Belindas shoulder.

Aymon is at home.

He said in a lifeless whisper.

Suddenly feeling sorry for him, Belinda hurriedly fetched him some sugar cubes. After a few pecks, he laid down.

Im sleepy. Can I sleep here?

Of course. Whatever you want.

Belinda replied affectionately, gently rubbing the small sparrows head with her fingertips. Mazetto had never slept at the palace before, but strangely, it put her in a good mood.

Mazetto roughly finished off the sugar and had some water before flying over to Belindas bed to plop down on the pillow.

I like it here. Ill sleep here.

He quickly fell asleep. His white feathers fluttered in the wind coming in.

Belinda shut the window and covered his body with a small handkerchief.

You cute little thing.

She carefully brushed some sugar off his beak and laid down next to the bed, afraid to crush Mazetto in her sleep.

Good night.

She whispered inaudibly before closing her eyes.

The next day, Belinda went into the Shinsu forest by herself. She was planning a surprise visit because she missed Aymon so much she couldnt bear it.

Mazetto, sitting on her shoulder, chirped away in a good mood.

Lets visit my nest later! I worked very hard on it!

After a good while playing with Belindas hair, the continuous movement made him doze off.

Mazetto, isnt it better to fly?

She asked, taking him into her palm.

Mazetto is comfortable. I had a very tiring day yesterday.

He said, settling down on her palm.

Belinda walked on, now with the sleeping sparrow in her hand.

After a long walk, she reached the border of the strawberry bushes. The boundary that Aymon set.

Belinda looked down at the sleeping bird in agony.

Crossing the limit was dangerous. The human body wasnt equipped to handle it.

She could ask Mazetto to fetch Aymon But he was sleeping so soundly that shed have felt bad waking him up.

She sat down and decided to wait for a little while to see if Mazetto woke up by himself.

She brushed through the wild flowers with her hand to kill some time.

Then, she heard a crunching sound. A beast was approaching.

She soon relaxed her tense shoulders. Surely, a normal animal wouldnt dare approach a place with Aymons traces.

Indeed, it wasnt a mountain animal that came out.

It was a giant brown leopard with spots that suddenly appeared. Judging from the spirit stone on his forehead, he was clearly a Shinsu.

Ack!

Belinda leaped back, startled. Mazetto also woke up.

What? What is it? What happened all of sudden?

He flew up and screamed again when he saw the leopard in front of him.

Shanti!

He recognized him but didnt seem to be pleased.

The Shinsu scoured them with an intrigued look, approaching Belinda.

Oh, I see a small snack with an even smaller snack!

Im not an even smaller snack! Im a sparrow!

Mazetto squeaked fearlessly.

Belinda was not so fearless.

Maybe because it wasnt Aymon, she was shivering like a mouse.

The creature facing her was a beast before he was a Shinsu, a beast even among beasts. A human couldnt be bold in front of an opponent who could kill them with a single swipe.

Shanti stopped in front of her with a smile.

Youre a royal, arent you? The one who attended our ceremony.

Only then could Belinda muster a nod.

Yes, thats right.

He might have recognized her, but she didnt recognize him. In the eyes of a human, all the Shinsu looked the same with their muscled build and brown fur. Aymon was an exception.

Its hard to distinguish you humans since you all look the same. You dont smell like Aymon. How come he hasnt imprinted you yet?

While Belinda wondered about the meaning of that word, the leopard laughed.

Hi. We met last time, but Im Shanti.

Hi. We met last time, but Im Belinda. Belinda Ryn Athez.

Why did you come all this way? Are you here to eat strawberries?

Im looking for Aymon.

Shanti sniffed her as she stiffened up.

He wagged his tail, muttering to himself.

Meet him? But hes dangerous now since hes out of control. Well Its not my business.

Shanti circled her busily.