Seeing Pippi’s appearance, Cloe widened her eyes in surprise.

“Pippi?”

“Pippi, pi—.”

“Did Her Majesty send you?”

It seemed that she recognized herself as Pippi. Fortunately, there was no need for her to waste time on hasty explanations.

She thought of Pippi as fulfilling Kun’s previous role. Cloe seemed to believe that Pippi was sent by Kun.

“Pippi.”

She wanted to say something else, but everything that came out of her mouth was bird language. Beatrice felt a bit frustrated that all the words were bird-like, but it would be a big problem if Pippi casually revealed her location to Kun.

“I can’t be sure if you are Pippi, but… I’ll give you a gift.”

“Pippi!”

Fortunately, it seemed not to be the case. Well, it wouldn’t be so easy with our mother. Beatrice suddenly felt a sense of pride and waited for Cloe’s next move.

Cloe picked up the paper bird that was pressed around her and tore the edges to make it smaller. Then, she folded it and handed it to Pippi’s legs.

“You have to take it safely. It would be better if you bring it to Her Majesty.”

“Pippi!”

Great! I have something to give to Dad.

Beatrice cried joyfully with a happy heart. Soon after, young Cloe smiled cutely.

“Yeah, Pippi. Cheer up.”

I’ll definitely protect Mom!

While saying this, Beatrice flapped her wings towards the sky.

There were only about two days left. During that time, she had to find Kun and leave this note where Kun would discover it. Then, Kun would search this place more suspiciously than before, and eventually, Cloe would find where she was.

Beatrice circled the forest all day, not knowing when Kun would come. She became friendly with the birds she occasionally encountered and avoided the predators that approached her at night. When she was hungry, she wandered around like any other bird, but finding cookie crumbs was difficult in this secluded forest.

Refusing the recommendations of her friends to try some, she stubbornly waited until her stomach stuck to her back. When she was almost starving, she closed her eyes and chewed on a worm.

…Surprisingly, the worm was delicious.

Whether it was because she had transformed and her taste had changed, she didn’t know.

After such a busy yet futile day, the time of sunset arrived. From the edge of the forest, the sound of someone’s footsteps could be heard. Beatrice, who was dozing off, was startled and opened her eyes. Using her wings, not in the best condition due to fatigue, she struggled to fly closer.

‘Dad!’

A rather young father caught Beatrice’s eye. Perhaps because he was young, he had a more agile and scary impression.

Avoiding the man’s consciousness, Beatrice placed a note on one side. This note was specially made from a piece of Cloe’s clothes, so if Kun was smart, he would surely succeed in identifying it.

Before she knew it, the sun had set, and the twilight time exposed them. Beatrice, who had been secretly watching from the trees, held her breath as she saw him gradually approaching the tree.
Something caught his foot as he hung a handkerchief on the tree. Whether he felt the touch or not, he usually would have ignored it and moved on, but he confirmed the identity of the object that touched his foot.

Unfolding the cloth pieces folded into the shape of a bird, he stiffened as he discovered the contents inside.

Soon, the clock tower beyond the village rang. A beautiful hourly chime that seemed to imitate the chirping of birds.

Putting the crumpled note into his pocket, he ran after it.

A massive fire was rising inside the cabin. Beatrice tensed as she watched the wooden house collapsing in flames.

‘No. Dad rushed over as soon as it was noon. Mom will be fine. Mom…’

Mom will be fine. She won’t be hot.

Mom won’t be in pain, and Dad won’t feel sorry. Mom won’t have to wear long sleeves on summer days, and Dad won’t have to see Dad sad.

Now, Beatrice couldn’t do anything. She sat on the tree, staring at the cabin, and there was nothing more allowed.

That’s when someone came out of the cabin. Her father, whom she admired and loved, was hugging her fallen mother.

Beatrice moved to another tree as if enchanted and watched them. There were no scars in the original place.

Cloe’s arms and legs were intact, thanks to her efforts.

‘Thank goodness!’

She saved Mom from the fire.

She saved Dad from guilt.

This fact made Beatrice happy. It wasn’t a big deal compared to what could be achieved with a wish that could only be made once in a lifetime.

There was still plenty of sand left in the hourglass announcing the time allowed for her. It meant that she could watch young Cloe and Kun for a longer time.

Beatrice strolled through the palace fearlessly. At a glance, her exploration looked similar to Kun’s Pippi, so no one stopped her.

When she wandered around the place known as Kun’s office, a familiar voice came from behind the door.

“It seems that Her Majesty still hasn’t awakened….”