She quickly lifted the window. As soon as a gap appeared, the pigeon flew inside and immediately started tapping the floor toward the fireplace.
“Uh, there… Can you give me the paper tied to your leg?”
Aria timidly requested.
However, when she reached out, the pigeon, for lack of a better term—whether it’s appropriate to use this expression for birds, there was no other word to better describe its actions—let out a snort and flew up to the high shelf.
“…What?”
It was bewildering.
Pigeons raised as Imperial messenger pigeons are a magical creature, an improved hybrid of obedient pigeons and avian-type demons. Such pigeons undergo rigorous training from professional magicians from the moment they hatch. Thanks to this, Imperial nobles and the military have been utilizing these messenger pigeons, and they don’t engage in any unnecessary behavior beyond their assigned tasks.
However, what was with this rude attitude?
“A delinquent… maybe?”
“Kkureuk!”
Hearing those words, the pigeon flapped its wings vigorously.
“Ouch!”
Not only that, but it also began pecking at Aria’s forehead.
The beak was so hard that every area it touched swelled up completely red. Aria, fearing that it might start bleeding, hurriedly apologized.
“I’m sorry!”
“Kkureuk!”
“And… you’re an animal, why are you apologizing for being a delinquent?”
But wait, was a messenger pigeon also considered an animal?
Aria asked that terrifying question, and the messenger pigeon bobbed its head and nonchalantly sat back down in front of the fireplace.
Then it casually started preening its feathers.
“No… What on earth is this?”
It seemed like something Lennen would send, but how did the pigeon acquire it, and why did it choose to bring back such a creature of all things, Aria couldn’t fathom.
“What do you want?”
“Kkureuk.”
No matter how many questions she threw, there was no answer.
Aria chuckled bitterly.
‘What a foolish act.’
There’s no way a speechless animal could respond.
Even if the messenger pigeon was not an ordinary animal, it still lacked vocal organs like a human.
She sighed and contemplated.
‘How can I receive that letter?’
Should she use magic to catch it?
However, that was an unrealistic approach.
‘Or should I get a net?’
She used to watch her brothers make bird traps when she was young.
Of course, they would release the birds immediately since they couldn’t eat them.
‘Not a bad idea.’
A dangerous mischievous glint sparkled in Aria’s eyes. Noticing that, the messenger pigeon seemed startled.
It flapped its wings.
“Kukukuk! Kukukuk!”
“Huh?”
When Aria tilted her head, the pigeon flapped more energetically.
“Kukukuk!”
“Wait… were you asking for it?”
“Kukukuk!”
Correct.
The pigeon pecked at the floor again and again. Each time it bent its neck, it hit the desk so forcefully that it looked like it might break.
Aria shuddered and covered her forehead that had been pecked earlier.
“You… I let it slide earlier…”
“Kukukuk!”
“Oh! Perhaps?”
At that moment, something flashed through her mind.
“Are you hungry?”
“Kukukuk!”
That was the correct answer.
Maybe due to being overly focused on the fact that the messenger pigeon was a magical creature, Aria had overlooked what a ‘normal animal’ might desire.
“What do you eat?”
“Kkureuk!”
“If you’re just an ordinary pigeon, should bread be fine? Hmm… bread?”
“Kkureuk!”
“Alright then, since people will come soon, wait outside for a moment. It would be inconvenient if they find out about you.”
Understanding Aria’s words, the messenger pigeon nodded twice. It then flew out through the open window and calmly perched on the frame.
Aria pulled the bell twice.
Soon, a knocking sound was heard.
Aria shouted loudly, “Bring me dinner now! White bread must be included in the menu!”
“Understood, Miss Hilton.”
In less than five minutes since she called, the maid knocked on the door again.
Since it was dinner time, it seemed Aria, who was alone in the room, had already prepared a meal so she could eat anytime.
“Is it okay to eat such food when you’re not feeling well?”
“Yes. I’m almost completely recovered now.”
Aria graciously accepted the food.
A well-cooked piece of beef and mashed potatoes. Next to a simple salad, there was white bread and corn soup, as Aria requested.
As soon as the maid left, Aria called for the messenger pigeon and tore off a piece of bread. The pigeon immediately softened and quietly extended its leg to her.
“You’re a softie, messenger pigeon.”
Aria murmured without resentment as she opened the letter.
Inside, it was written as follows.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
