Winter is Approaching
โItโs cold today!โ
โWoof!โ
As usual, I practice swinging a wooden sword in the courtyard with Da-u.
I was born in the spring, and I started learning swordsmanship right after my third birthday.
So, itโs been over half a year now that Iโve been practicing swordsmanship nearly every day.
โAm I moving better now?โ
โWoof!โ
Da-u seemed to think my movements were improving.
While we rested in the courtyard, some birds and a prairie dog scurried over to us.
โโฆIsnโt everyone cold?โ
โCoo-coo,โ โTweet-tweet,โ โSqueak-squeak.โ
They all pressed their bodies against me more than usual.
Perhaps itโs because winter is near, and theyโre feeling the chill.
โHmmโฆโ
The cold is tough to endure.
In my previous life, I lived in a livestock shed with terrible drafts, dressed in nothing but rags.
Of course, I didnโt have blankets, and winter was so cold it felt like I might die.
I survived because I used spirit magic to warm the room, and the goats surrounded me to share their warmth.
โโฆI owe it to the goats.โ
โWoof?โ
โAre the birds cold too? Letโs ask Mom if they can stay in my room.โ
โTweet-tweet,โ โHoo-hoo.โ
Mom always reminds me, โIf you bring anything into the room, you must tell me first.โ
โDoes the prairie dog want to come in too?โ
โSqueak.โ
โAlright then. Everyone, follow me.โ
Since sword practice was over, I picked up the prairie dog, climbed onto Da-uโs back, and headed to find Mom.
The birds hopped along behind us.
โW-Wait, my lady!?โ
โItโs okay. Iโm going to ask Mother for permission.โ
I reassured the flustered person we passed along the way.
When I reached my motherโs room, I flung the door open and burst in.
โMom!โ
โWhatโs the matter, Luriaโฆ?โ
Mom froze when she saw the flock of birds following me.
โThe birds are cold, so I brought them.โ
โAh, so itโs not because youโre planning to eat them.โ
โTweet, tweet!โ
The birds looked startled.
โI would never eat my friends!โ
โOh, of course. I just thoughtโnever mind.โ
Sometimes, Mom says the most unexpected things.
โMom, winter is coming. The birds are cold. So theyโll live in my room.โ
โWell, Iโm afraid that might be difficult.โ
โIs it not allowed?โ
โTweetโฆโ โHooโฆโ
The birds seemed dejected, realizing Mom might not grant permission.
I had to convince her to prevent the birds from freezing.
โItโs sad when itโs cold. If the birds are sad, then Luria is sad too.โ
โI understand. But Iโm not saying no just to be mean.โ
โHmm?โ
โThere are some issues with letting birds stay in your room.โ
โโฆIssues?โ
Mom carefully explained.
Birds canโt hold in their droppings because of their anatomy, so the room would end up covered in poop.
Additionally, birds release a powder called feather dust and shed their feathers.
So the room would become filled with droppings, dust, and feathers.
โIt might be manageable with just one bird, but having so many would make it very difficult.โ
โIโll be fine!โ
โNo, you wouldnโt. You could get sick. Thatโs why I canโt allow it.โ
โHmphโฆโ
I considered letting them in through the window and pretending it just happened by chance.
Iโm a strategist, after all.
โFine.โ
โOh, Luria. Youโre not thinking of using the excuse that they just wandered in through the window, are you?โ
โN-No, of course not.โ
โGood, then.โ
Mom smiled knowingly. My plan was already foiled.
As I brainstormed a new strategy, Mom said,
โWell, how about we build a birdhouse outside the mansion? That way, you wouldnโt have to worry about them.โ
If thereโs a birdhouse nearby, I could visit them anytime I want.
The birds could sleep in the birdhouse at night and stay warm even during rain or snow.
But Iโve never heard of a royal mansion with a birdhouse.
โโฆReally?โ
โYes, of course. Otherwise, you might sneak them into your room, right?โ
โI-I wouldnโt do that!โ
โOh, really? Then thatโs fine.โ
Mom patted my head gently.
โBy the way, please make sure the birdhouse is warm!โ
โIโll ask the carpenters to make it nice and cozy.โ
โYay!โ
The cold is truly hard to endure. I donโt want the birds to go through that.
โOh, Mom. What about this one?โ
โSqueak!โ
โA prairie dog?โ
โYes. It can hold its poop, and it doesnโt release feather dust!โ
Since the prairie dog isnโt a bird, putting it in the birdhouse would be cruel.
Their living environments are entirely different.
โWell, can it use a toilet properly?โ
โSqueak-squeak!โ
โIt says it can!โ
โDid it really say thatโฆ?โ
Mom stroked the prairie dog, thinking for a moment.
โLuria, can you take full responsibility for it?โ
โI can!โ
โYouโll teach it how to use the toilet?โ
โGot it!โ
โAlright, then you may keep it.โ
Mom gave her approval.
โThatโs great!โ
โSquee!โ
The prairie dog seemed happy.
โBut it needs a bath first. Please take care of that.โ
โYes, maโam. My lady, if youโll excuse me.โ
The maid picked up the prairie dog I was holding and carried it away.
โSqueee~โ
โItโs okay! See you soon!โ
I reassured the worried prairie dog.
โIs this alright?โ
โThank you! Mom, you know a lot about animals?โ
โYes, I know a little.โ
Mom really is amazing.
Next time, Iโll ask her about goats. Thatโs what I decided.