Even though the smile hanging on the young master's face seemed innocent and gentle, I could still sense a dangerous vibe coming from him. Maybe it's because of the animal instinct I had now. I tried to struggle against his hold more strongly.
He took out a tiny string from his sleeve and tied it on my left leg. He released me soon after that. I stared at the string linking me to him dumbly.
How did this happen? He didn't mean to capture me and turn me into his pet, did he? No, I could not allow that to happen. Maybe I should shift back and tell him the truth? Was your brain still with you, Arina? Who was he? The young master of Ivory Manor and you told him you had been listening in to all his secrets and watching him talk to a bird like a really lonely person? No, no. Let's stay as a bird.
"I released you and you didn't even try to fly away." He sighed dramatically. "That won't do. You'll really be chewed to death in this world. The strong eliminates the weak in this world, little bird." His eyes gleamed dangerously again.
How could I escape when I was tied on a string holding by you? I was not stupid! No, I was wrong. I was really stupid. I was not even human now, how could I think like a human? If I tried to fly away now, would that look really strange? Maybe I should act like I froze and didn't know how to act? He seemed to think I was a pretty dumb bird anyway.
He took out something wrapped by paper and began to remove the wrapping. Something sweet wafted from that package. At last what's inside the paper was disclosed, it's some pastries. From the look, it's red bean cake. The cake certainly looked delicious. I took a peek at it nonchalantly and then forced myself to look away. I tried very hard to not look at it. It's impolite to stare at other's food. And then I realized, I was a bird now. I could look at food all I wanted. So I stared at it in the end. I tilted my head and chirped for a good bird imitation.
The young master placed a slice of cake on his palm and held his palm in front of me. He said with a gentle smile, "It's yours."
A bird should peck at the food in front of it. Furthermore, I was a dumb bird now, so more reason to jump at the food. I was getting more and more used to my role as a dumb bird. I hopped forward and was about the peck at the food with my tiny beak when the young master moved his palm back a bit. It's not much, just an inch, but it was enough for me to know what he was doing. He was toying with me.
Anger filled inside me, I was about to rebel against him when I remembered. I was a dumb bird. I should follow through. What was pride when I would suffer far worse if I was exposed. It's all my fault for not being sensitive enough. I should do more training from tomorrow onward.
With a defeated heart, I hopped forward. I pretended to peck at the food and as expected the hand moved back as well. I heard a small chuckle from the young man. What an evil guy. We repeated this procedure for around five times, I was about to rebel (dumb bird had its pride too) when my beak touched the food I was chasing after. I began to dig in and didn't stop before my tiny bird stomach was full. It's my reward for being toyed by such an evil guy. The red bean cake was the best I had ever tasted. Probably from a famous restaurant in the capital.
The evil master was chuckling all through out. Now he was stroking and picking at my feather absentmindedly.
"You're so dumb. How do you survive till now?"
I was not dumb, I just had poor reflex! Now that I thought of it, he walked like he was a ghost. Both times, I didn't hear him coming. So it's not all my fault. I ignored his mocking and continued to peck at the cake in front of me.
"A broken practice sword. Where did the owner go?" he mused all of a sudden.
This reminded me, didn't I just dump my sword and my belonging on the bench?
"Little bird, do you know who's the owner?" He stroked on my little head again. I chirped in response. Then just like before without warning, his gentle smile turned cold. "It's not good to find your place being occupied by others, is it?"
Was your name engraved on this bench? How would I know? Luckily, all the belongings I brought with me wouldn't be able to link that back to me. I really could not deal with this guy's mood swing. I swore I would not use this spot again, bathing under the sun was a rather good choice in comparison.
"Hope to see you next time. Don't die." He chuckled like he didn't believe that and then released me from the string tying me to him. He was about to flick at the feather on my head one last time when I hopped back and I raised my head in pride.
He burst out laughing and then he was gone.
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Author's note
And that's Arina and Carlisle second encounter. But when will they meet in person??
Arina: ... I don't want to meet him in person... *slowly walk back*
Happy new year!! I wish you the best luck the coming year :D
Thank you for reading! Hope you like this chapter! See you next time!
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Gilded Cage~ Shapeshifter Rebirth
Fantasy"You're just my tool. Know your place." It's her duty to follow her master's command. Even at the risk of injuring herself or losing her mind. It's his right to make use of her cold-heartedly. Even discarding her when she had become useless. She...
