“Averxas.”
“What?”
That name popped out of Cesar's mouth.
“His name is, Averxas.”
“Averxas?”
It's a formal name, which doesn't suit this adorable chick at all. Surely there must be a cute name that suits it better.
Hearing that, Cesar added:
“…Name of God.”
“God?”
I thought I heard wrong so I asked again. At that moment, the chick—or Averxas should be called—jumped up and chirped.
“Chip!”
At that moment, an indescribable light passed through Cesar's pupils. For some reason, I just nodded, as if hypnotized.
Just like that, our chick got the wonderful name Averxas.
“Averxas… is too long, let's call it Ave for short.”
"YES."
“Chip!”
They both nodded. Cesar didn't say anything, but seeing Ave also nodding as if he really understood human language, I couldn't hold back my smile.
On the clear sky, white clouds float lazily. Spring has ripened, bringing with it a fresh scent wafting in the wind.
The royal palace becomes bustling, crowded with people going in and out when the social season officially begins. In particular, there was the Débutante ball, where young ladies who had just entered the upper class were invited to meet the Queen.
New faces appeared everywhere. Because this is the time when outsiders are allowed to enter the palace, guarding the Palace is also stricter than usual.
The Emerald Palace is no exception. It's just that, since the tension between Cesar and the White Rose Cross Knights last time, the eyes monitoring us have calmed down a bit.
I don't know if this is lucky or not. Perhaps, they were also busy dealing with unexpected changes in the Royal Palace. It's best to avoid offending each other.
Furthermore, we had the “crystallization of love,” the chick, Averxas. The truth is that we are raising chicks, and no one else knows about it except Delfina.
The weather was nice today, so me, Cesar, and Ave went out to the deserted garden of the Emerald Palace to sunbathe.
Sunbathing is nothing special. Just spread a thick blanket on the ground and sit and dig with tree branches. Just like that, the worms hidden in the soil raised their heads again.
“Chip!”
Using its beak to 'knock knock' those worms is one of the chicken's morning activities. The chick grew up so fast, perhaps thanks to this meal of worms.
“Ave is really smart.”
“Smart?”
Cesar stopped digging the soil with his rake and asked.
That's right. I can't help but talk about how clever this adorable chick is.
The thing Delfina was most worried about was getting her poop everywhere, but our amazing chick knew how to go to the bathroom in the right place. Delfina was also extremely surprised about this.
Sometimes, it seems to understand what the speaker is saying. Right now, it arches its neck and ruffles its feathers with pride when I praise it.
“This place also has it.”
The cunning chicken quickly ran to peck at the worm as soon as I dug up the soil. Worms are a bit disgusting, but to someone who used to roam the streets like me, insects are nothing.
“Chip!”
This chick never leaves me and Cesar's side. According to Delfina, chicks will consider the first creature they see when they hatch as their parent and follow. Maybe that's why Ave always tries to follow us anytime, anywhere.
After eating, Ave spun around in place and playfully pecked my hand. I gently stroked the little chicken with my fingers.
“Are you full?”
"Chiep! Chirp."
“But you have to hide carefully if you see strangers, don't let them see you.”
“Chip.”
No matter how smart Ave is, raising chicks in the Royal Palace still makes me nervous. Right now it's a baby so it's okay, but soon it will grow into a rooster, what should I do then?
“What if they think it's a chicken raised in the kitchen and then let it out?”
I tied a green thread to its leg to mark it just in case, but if the thread comes off, will I be able to tell it apart from the other chickens?
While I was sprinkling food on Ave and immersed in those worries, a sudden feeling of sadness came over me.
“Chip.”
Ave seemed to comfort me, gently and softly pecking my finger.
"This."
At that moment, Cesar gave me a wriggling worm. With bare hands.
"Thank."
I used a tree branch to pick up the worm. Suddenly, I felt a cold blast of air.
“What's wrong with you?”
Caesar asked me.
“No, it just feels a bit strange.”
He looked around, then suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on one point. His eyes turned to the third floor hallway of the palace.
“Is there something there?”
I asked, because Cesar's eyes were glued to that place forever. But he didn't answer, just stared intently.
“That's the servants' quarters.”
Could Delfina be looking at us? I was also curious, following his vision. Through the window reflecting the sunlight, a blurry figure passed by. A dark shadow reflected and then glided away.
I blinked, wondering if I was mistaken, when from far away I heard a call.
It's Delfina. She is walking quickly. So, who is that reflection in the window?
"What's up?"
I asked, and Delfina explained. She said someone was looking for the Emerald Palace. More precisely, there is a guest who wants to meet me.
“Guests looking for me?”
I tried to think, but couldn't remember who could come to me. At that moment, an extremely familiar figure appeared from afar.
“Giovinetta…?”
I couldn't believe my eyes so I blinked repeatedly. That's Giovinetta. My half-sister, was chatting intimately with the members of the White Rose Cross Knights in the distance.
“Giovinetta… why are you here?”
Suddenly, my chest tightened. It feels like swallowing a burning ember. That's because the deep hatred still smolders in my heart and hasn't been resolved.
The pain in my ankle seemed to be more intense. That's right, that was a wound caused by Giovinetta himself. I clenched my teeth.
Giovinetta also saw me. She smiled brightly and waved goodbye. That calmness made me see anger flare up before my eyes. I couldn't stop the corners of my lips from curling up in a distorted way.
The escorting Knights naturally gave way to her. It's always been like that. Giovinetta always knows how to please others. She smiled with her eyes curled, her gestures soft, and her voice lengthened lovingly. Therefore, everyone is weak in front of her. Especially men. Perhaps partly because of her gorgeous and beautiful appearance.
Golden hair as shiny as honey, pale blue eyes with a fragile look, skin as white as flour, rosy cheeks, high nose bridge and small, cute face, all make people develop protective instincts. It's no exaggeration to praise her as the embodiment of a little angel.
If people don't discover the thorn hidden behind that smile.
Giovinetta gracefully lifted her skirt, smiled softly at the Knights, and walked towards me.
“Irenea, I was so worried about you.”
She smiled brightly and freely.
“What's wrong with you coming without warning?”
Despite my cold answer, her bright smile remained undimmed. That made me even more uncomfortable, my facial expression became even more stiff.
"What are you talking about between sisters? You keep saying nothing, of course we're worried about you, right? That's why mom sent me here."
At that moment, a feeling of resentment rose in my heart. You and us. To her, the word ‘us’ was a protective barrier around Celestina and her, and a reminder of the difference between me and them. From the beginning, there was no place for me in there.
Aren't they the ones who pushed me here, wanting me to die? Usually, it is natural to contact your biological family after marriage. But they were never my family. The only person I can call family is Annalisa. So, I didn't even think about getting in touch.
“…”
I still sat still, looking up at her. Seeing my silence, Giovinetta took out her fan and waved it.
“Are you… still the same?”
I felt her eyes sweep over me and Cesar. Right at that moment, we were sitting on the ground looking for worms for Ave, who was covered in mud and didn't look noble at all.
I chose this time to visit, I silently bit the inside of my cheek. Seeing me like that, Giovinetta urged:
"How long are you going to let the guests stand here? Hey, there."
She pointed at Cesar. He realized he was being called, raised his head and pointed at himself with his index finger.
"Yes, it's you. Quickly help your master up and lead me to the living room."
I looked at her in surprise. Could it be that Giovinetta mistook Cesar for a servant?