Ace: *couldn’t help but cast a teasing glance at Sebek*
Sebek: *clearly not amused after MC returned from their venture into the woods with an injured raven, now carefully tending to the creature*
Sebek: I am NOT! And I hold absolutely no objection to it! It’s just that… that raven was insolent toward Their Majesty when they first crossed paths!
Ace: Geez, man… do you seriously have beef with literally everyone and everything?
Ace: Anyway, how was that raven “rude,” exactly? What’d it even do?
MC: *the raven pinches their finger with its beak the moment they gently touch its injured wing* Oh… dear. Did that hurt you, little one? Forgive me… I meant only to help.
Sebek: AHH! Your Majesty! Are you unharmed?! *turns to the raven* Insolent bird!
MC: It is quite alright. We cannot fault it for keeping its guard so firmly raised. *gently cradles the raven’s head with a soft touch of their finger, their voice tender and untroubled*
The raven: *behaves in a snobbish, aloof manner, turning its head away with a haughty air*
Lilia: *watches with quiet amusement as the raven continues to peck at MC’s hand, almost as if it were bullying them in its own feisty little way*
Lilia: Fufu… doesn’t Their Majesty have quite a gentle temper? If it were you, that raven would’ve been roasted by now.
Malleus: I must beg to differ. I have considerable patience. After all… just observe how I interact with Grim.
Sebek: I implore you, Your Majesty—allow me to discipline that bird! Just look at your hand! It is completely covered in peck marks!
MC: I very much doubt you could, Sebek… for I know you would never raise harm against a lady. *a soft, airy chuckle escapes them*
Sebek: Th-This rude bird is a lady?!
MC: Yes… It is no wonder she dislikes being touched. It was discourteous of me not to respect her boundaries.
Sebek: I am certain she does not think you discourteous in the slightest, Your Majesty. Besides, had it been anyone else, that bird would have been in grave danger.
MC: Even so… kindness is only true when it is received in full.*their voice softens* Otherwise, it becomes little more than an overstep.
MC: …which I once thought of Aurora as well… *they murmur under their breath* Only to realize, far too late, that she truly meant well.
Sebek: Ravens are cunning creatures, Your Majesty. If she truly disliked you, she would have done everything in her power to escape by now.
Sebek: That is precisely why… I am inclined to believe she is deliberately bullying you, Your Majesty!!
MC: Now, now… *a soft, lilting chuckle* It would not do you well to quarrel with a lady—least of all, a raven.