[38.3] Cyrus POV: A Mischievous Owl

[Authors note: This part is from Cyrus's point of view.]

I let out a sigh and collapsed onto the table in exhaustion, "I thought Aldrich was going to kill me this time."

Caldwell served me tea as he spoke, "Young Master. I've noticed recently that you and Miss Reika have become rather close."

I paused and averted my gaze, "O-Oh… We have?"

"You have!" Caldwell snickered, "And? And?"

"And… And what?"

His expression fell, "You haven't done anything else? Have you at least kissed her?!"

I looked away from him awkwardly, "I-I hardly want to talk about that to you!"

Caldwell gasped, "Have you done more?!"

"NO!"

Although…

Recently I've found it harder to control myself in her presence.

It almost feels as if I have become another person. Whenever she teases me, all I want to do is tease her back until she admits defeat.

Ugh… Is there something wrong with me?

This is not how a gentleman should act!

Caldwell nudged me, "So? Have you two become official yet? Should I start planning the wedding?"

I snapped, "W-Wedding?!? W-What!?"

"Oh, come on now. You don't need to be shy." He elbowed me with a sly face, "I saw how close you two were earlier."

I cleared my throat and ignored his prodding, "There is no wedding. We haven't talked about marriage or anything."

Although…

Getting married to her…

Heh.

There's no way I'd give up until I did.

"Wait… Don't tell me-" Caldwell gasped dramatically, "You're leading her on!?"

"Huh? No! I-"

"I can't believe you, Young Master! How could you just use Miss Reika like that!?"

I panicked, "I'm not! I would never use her!"

He continued to cry out dramatically, "My Young Master is a deviant! He doesn't even want to be with Miss Reika! He only wants to break her heart!"

I interrupted quickly to defend myself, "NO! I want to be with her! I want to make things official, b-but I don't think she would like that!"

Caldwell smirked triumphantly.

Ugh. I fell into his trap.

"Oh, Young Master. Do you really think she doesn't want to? She keeps going on dates with you."

"Yeah, but I don't want to ruin what we have now. She's just so perfect compared to me. She's strong… She's beautiful… I don't see why she would ever want to be with me."

Caldwell let out a melodramatic sigh, "I feel like I'm watching my child grow up."

I clicked my tongue, "Why are you being so dramatic?"

Caldwell ignored me and placed his hands on my shoulder, "As your father figure I feel as though it's my duty to help you in your pursuit of love."

Oh great. He's getting excited now.

I mumbled to myself, "Who said you were my father figure?"

Caldwell bent down with an ominous grin. His yellow eyes started to pulse, causing them to become more vibrant.

Um…

Did his eyes always look like that?

Caldwell chuckled, "I seem to recall that Miss Reika really loves small fluffy animals… And that she thinks my Young Master resembles a rabbit."

I gulped, feeling a sinking feeling settling into my stomach, "What are you planning?"

Caldwell waved his hands, causing a cloud of smoke to appear. It suddenly covered my body and swallowed me whole.

I forcibly closed my eyes as the smoke seemed to seep into my skin. It almost felt as if my bones were shrinking and changing unnaturally.

It didn't hurt, but it didn't feel comfortable either.

I opened my eyes as soon as the smoke dissipated. For some strange reason, the grass is far taller than I remembered it being.

Perhaps I fell over?

I went to stand up but found that it did not feel the same as usual.

I looked down and noticed white fuzzy fur and two small paws.

THAT'S NOT NORMAL!

I squeaked out: <<Caldwell! What's the meaning of this!?>>

Caldwell giggled and poked my pink nose, "Young Master. You make such a cute bunny!"

<<You turned me into a rabbit!?!>>

Caldwell suddenly picked me up, "Now let's go deliver you~"

Deliver me where?!

You turn me into a rabbit and now you want to take me somewhere!?

Not a chance!

I bit down on his hand.

Caldwell yelped, "Young Master! Why are you biting me!? I'm only doing this to help you!"

<<How will this help me!? You've turned me into a rabbit!!>>

Caldwell thought for a moment, "I've never tried this on a human before so… I'm not sure how long it will last. I suppose you should just enjoy it while it lasts."

<<What is that supposed to mean!?>>

"You'll find out soon." Caldwell laughed, "Also, Reika can't understand you. To her, it will just sound like you're squeaking. I know what you're saying, but she won't."

I squirmed in Caldwell's grip, but he wouldn't let me go. Unfortunately, he was far bigger than me so I couldn't do anything.

I froze when I realized Caldwell was walking right up to Reika's house door.

What are we doing here!?

Caldwell smiled at me, "Oh! I almost forgot the bow."

He tied a ribbon around my neck.

Why do I need a bow!?

Caldwell hummed as he knocked on the door. Della opened it with a bright smile, "Ah! If it isn't our friend, the owl. I'm surprised you're knocking on the door today and not trying to climb in through the window. How can I help you?"

Caldwell smiled politely, "I came to bring Miss Reika a gift from my Young Master. He was too shy to give it to her himself."

Della awed, "How sweet of him!"

Suddenly Reika appeared behind her, "I got a gift!? What is it??"

Zephyr pushed her to the side and licked his lips, "It's dinner."

"It's not dinner if it has a collar." Reika paused and thought, "Although now that we are discussing it, I am a bit hungry."

My mouth dropped in shock.

Why do they only ever think about food!?

Della chuckled, "I will prepare something. Would you like to stay for dinner, Mister Owl?"

Caldwell shook his head, "That's very kind, but I must decline. I have to return to my Young Master now."

He shoved me into Reika's hands and gave me a wink.

Caldwell!!! You bastard! Change me back! This isn't funny!