Chapter 24

Winter is approaching.

"It's so cold today!"

"Wafu"

Today, as usual, I'm practicing with a wooden sword in the courtyard with Daaru.

I was born in spring, and I started practicing swordsmanship right after my third birthday.

So, I've been swinging a sword almost every day for more than half a year now.

"Is your movement getting better?"

"Bafu"

Daaru seemed to be saying that my movements were good.

While taking a break in the courtyard, the birds and prairie dogs came running over.

"......Is everyone cold?"

"Kuruppo," "Pii pii," "Kyu kyu"

Everyone is huddling closer than usual.

It might be because it's winter and it's cold.

"Muu..."

Being cold is tough.

In my previous life, I lived in a drafty shed and only had a rag for clothing.

Of course, there were no blankets, and winter was so cold it felt like I was going to die.

I survived thanks to the room temperature being raised by spirit magic and the goats huddling around to keep me warm.

"......Thanks to the goats."

"Wafu?"

"The birds are cold too? Let's go ask if they can come into Ruria's room."

"Pii pii," "Hohoho"

Mother has strictly told me, "If you bring anything into the room, you must absolutely tell me."

"Can the prairie dogs come in too?"

"Kyu"

"Um. Then, everyone, follow me."

After finishing my sword practice, I picked up the prairie dog, got on Daaru's back, and headed to Mother's room.

The birds hopped along behind us.

"Oh, Miss!?"

"It's fine. I'm going to ask Mother for permission."

I tried to reassure the person who was panicking when we met on the way.

When we reached Mother's room, I burst in and opened the door.

"Mother!"

"Ruria, what is it...?"

Mother froze when she saw the large number of birds following me.

"The birds are cold, so I brought them."

"Oh, you're not going to eat them, are you?"

"Pii"

The birds were surprised.

"I wouldn't eat my friends."

"S-Sure, I just thought..."

Mother sometimes says things that are completely out of the blue.

"Mother, winter is coming. The birds are cold. So, they will live in Ruria's room."

"Hmm, I see. That might be difficult."

"Is it not possible?"

"Pii...," "Hoh..."

The birds looked disappointed, thinking they wouldn't get permission.

I need to persuade her to keep the birds from freezing.

"It's sad when it's cold. When the birds are sad, Ruria is sad too."

"Hmm. I'm not being mean."

"Um?"

"There are several issues with living with birds."

"...Issues?"

Mother explained carefully.

Birds, due to their body structure, can't hold their poop. So, the room will be full of poop.

Also, depending on the species, birds produce a powder called uropygial powder and shed feathers.

So, the room will be full of poop, powder, and feathers.

"It would be manageable with one bird, but with a large number, it would be quite a mess."

"I'm fine!"

"You won't be fine. Ruria might get sick. So, I can't give permission."

"Muuu"

Maybe I should pretend they came in through the window and get her to accept it gradually.

I'm a strategist, so I think about such things.

"There's no other way."

"Oh, Ruria. Do you really think that saying they came in through the window would work?"

"N-No"

"Is that so? That's good."

Mother smiled. My plan was seen through.

This strategy might not work.

While thinking of a new plan,

"Let's build a birdhouse outside the mansion, shall we? That way, Ruria won't have to worry, right?"

If there's a birdhouse nearby, they can come visit when I want to see them.

The birds can sleep in the house at night and won't catch a cold when it rains or snows.

But I've never heard of a royal mansion with a birdhouse.

"......Is that okay?"

"Sure. Because if we don't, Ruria will sneak them into the room, right?"

"N-No, I won't do that."

"Is that so? That's good."

Mother patted my head.

"Hey! Can you make the birdhouse warm?"

"Warm. I'll ask the carpenter to do it."

"Okay!"

It's really tough when it's cold. It's sad to think the birds would feel the same way.

"Oh, Mother, what about this one?"

"Kyu pi"

"A prairie dog?"

"Yes. It can hold its poop and doesn't produce a smell!"

The prairie dog isn't a bird, so it would be cruel to put it in the birdhouse.

Birds and prairie dogs need different comfortable environments.

"Is that so... Can it use the toilet properly?"

"Kyu kyu!"

"It can use the toilet."

"Did it really say that?"

Mother stroked the prairie dog and thought for a while.

"Ruria, can you take good care of it?"

"I can!"

"You'll teach it to use the toilet too?"

"Got it!"

"Then, you can keep it."

Mother gave her permission.

"That's great!"

"Kyu pi"

The prairie dog looked happy too.

"But, you'll have to clean it. Please."

"Yes, I understand. Miss, I'll take my leave now."

The maid picked up the prairie dog I was holding and took it somewhere.

"Kyu~"

"It's okay! I'll see you later."

I reassured the prairie dog, which was crying anxiously.

"Is this okay?"

"Thank you! Mufu. Mother, are you knowledgeable about animals?"

"Yes, a little."

Mother is really amazing, I think.

Next time, I'll ask her about goats too. I thought.