(Seren's POV)

Standing by the window, my bored self continued to look at the darkening sky as the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains.

Until last night, my concern had been hunger, but now it changed to boredom. The latest batch of books had all been read during the day. I couldn't even go out now because Martha had warned me not to.

Just then, I saw a shadow flying in the sky towards me. Even though it was still far, I understood who it was.

"My dinner is here," I sighed, which was unlike how excited I was, seeing the food box for the first time.

That shadow was coming to the tower, holding a familiar wooden box wrapped in blue silk cloth.

The majestic eagle landed on the window sill and put the box there. He was about to fly back, but I was quick to stop him. "Wait!"

His wings were stretched midway, deep brown feathers shiny under the light of the setting sun, his sharp body tense as he warily looked at me. This time, I observed him closely, unlike how I used to step back upon the sight of this giant bird.

This majestic eagle had brought food for me three times today, and as I was absolutely fine after eating it, I was sure he was not sent by my enemies.

"You and your owner, do you plan to make me a sloth or bear? Too much food this is," I said with a pout.

The eagle looked at me—no, glared at me—as if his golden eyes were screaming out loud, calling me an ungrateful woman.

Seeing his reaction, my chest tightened in worry. What if this bird stopped bringing me food? There was no guarantee when Martha would return, and the fire had destroyed whatever food was stocked in the kitchen.

I put on a light smile. "Not that I mind...Umm... Wait here," I instructed, and only after it folded its wings back to its body did I go to one corner of my room.

I picked up the emptied wooden boxes that were kept on a stack and put them on the window sill. They were tied with a sturdy-looking rope I found from Martha's room; that way, the eagle would have no problem carrying them.

"I don't eat wooden boxes, so you can take these back."

The giant bird looked at the boxes, then turned to me.

I asked again, "Do you have a name? Ahh! You must have one. What is it?"

Those golden eyes glared at me again, but this time, it was as if they were saying, 'Lady, I can't talk.'

My eyes were smiling like crescent moons at this point. "You can't talk, so how about I give you a name?"

The eagle continued to look at me as if I'm crazy. I realized something. "Are you a female or male bird? I think you're male, though, since you look handsome, but I should make sure. You can't talk, but you look smart enough to understand human speech. Can you nod? Shake your head? If you're male, you won't like a feminine name, right?"

There was no response.

"Why don't we test it? Try nodding your head if you understand me." However, the eagle remained still as a statue. "You don't? Then, how will I be sure you're a male?"

The bird looked at me as if he sensed something and moved back a little.

My tone was gentle so as to not further alert it. "I don't know how to check, but let's see if I can find something to make sure your gender."

But the eagle was agile, and it was faster than me. Before my hands could reach him, he had fled away like I'd put his tail on fire.

Looking at the rapidly escaping shadow, I concluded, "Seems like he is very shy. Never mind, let's eat again. My tiny tummy has been starving since he only brought me lunch but didn't bring me afternoon snacks."

---------

Night had fallen, and the rescue squad hiding in the forest outside Barknor Fortress was ready to execute their plan.

Drayce was disguised as an ordinary villager, but even ordinary clothes could not hide his physique, making him look like a strong young helper hired by a small merchant. The other younger knights were dressed like ordinary people too.

On the other hand, Arlan had to wear nice clothes and look extraordinarily good to make him the most handsome and attractive man around.

The spy made an arrangement for them to join a group of women, which was being sent inside the fortress to please the soldiers tonight. The women were sitting inside multiple horse carts with guards walking along with the carts.

These women were gathered from the towns and villages outside the fortress. Due to the number of soldiers both from Hatha and Thevailes inside, many merchants had been ordered by Marquis Percy to deliver women to them. Of course, most of these female commoners came willingly due to the promise of money and the possibility of getting the attention of someone high-ranked.

Arlan sat inside a separate cart which was in the middle of the long row of carts. Drayce accompanied him inside as his personal guard, and four knights walked outside along the cart. The other members of the squad were disguised as guards as well and mixed up with the bribed merchant's guards.

Aretha's General Cavrois and some of his men were left outside the fortress to act as support once the crown prince was found. General's scarred face would be too hard to pass off as an ordinary man. Sir Berolt, on the other hand, was going under a different disguise, as they had bribed another small merchant going inside to bring food rations.

Though Arlan agreed to Drayce's plan, he was not happy. The entire time, he had been glaring at his friend.

"You can use your pretty eyes to charm the general," Drayce commented, trying to hold back his smile as the horse cart continued to move towards the fortress. "Distract him until we get the Ilven boy out."