Will You Believe Me Now?
Will you believe me now? “Whoa! A human who smells so good!” As soon as I stepped into the room decked out like an office, a vaguely familiar harpy thrust herself toward me. Feathers—not bundles of cash—fluttered down from her wings as they brushed against me. Showering with her would definitely clog the drain, I thought, grabbing her shoulders and gently pushing her away. Or at least, that's what I meant to do in my head. She clearly should have been pushed back, but her talons dug into the floor, keeping her planted as she nuzzled right up against me, sniffing away.
Only after she locked eyes with Claudia, who had followed me in, did she finally back off in a fluster. I turned my head, feeling a twinge of self-loathing, and spotted a man—presumably the one who'd been trying to persuade her—brightening up as he greeted Claudia.
“Aigoo… you’ve finally arrived? We’ve been waiting so long.”
“…I don’t think it took that long.”
“Just a figure of speech… haha…”
The bushy-haired man was sweating bullets. He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his brow. His trembling gaze soon landed on me, filling with doubt.
“Uh… didn’t you say you were bringing the person who made it?”
“I did bring her.”
“This one…?”
“She was super busy, but I barely convinced her to come…”
Claudia’s chilling smile, as if to say you get the picture, right?… was a side of her I’d never seen. Not even when we’d met as Astarote Asha. She looked even more intimidating than on our last date. When our eyes met, she switched back to her beaming smile and waved cheerily at me. It made me tense up somehow. I swallowed hard and cleared my throat.
“Ahem. As Dia said, my precious golden time is ticking away even now. What problem prompted you to summon me?”
The man, who’d been shrinking back nervously, relaxed a bit as he replied.
“The harpies… they’re refusing the medicine. They won’t take it because the maker’s face and the effects haven’t been verified.”
“So that’s why you called me?”
“Yes… exactly.”
As the ad slogan “Naturally shedding feathers” suggested, I could guess how they were being treated. They could communicate perfectly fine, after all… so treating them like monsters or livestock wouldn’t fly. At least not in my empire. I could only assume neighboring kingdoms were the same.
…Though those talons embedded in the floor probably didn’t help their case.
Meanwhile, the man hesitated before speaking up, his voice thick with doubt.
“But… did you really make it?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
I tilted my head, and he scratched his cheek.
“You just look too young for that…”
“…I understand. Anyway, the harpy—does she have a name?”
“This one’s Lena.”
“Got it. So… convincing Lena settles everything?”
At the sound of her name, her wings fluttered. The man replied wearily.
“Yes. Lena’s the leader of the flock living here.”
“I see.”
I turned to gaze at the harpy called Lena. Crimson hair cascaded to her shoulders. Her eyes gleamed the same vivid hue. The standout features? Massive wings where arms should be, and a bird-like lower body. Talons that could grip the floor like that. Like last time, she wore loose clothes that threatened to reveal glimpses of skin if she moved wrong.
Just then, Claudia laid a hand on my shoulder and whispered.
“You’re not staring too hard, are you? You saw her once before, right?”
“…I wasn’t.”
“Well… anyway. Think you can fix this?”
As the man approached and Lena turned away with a pout, I answered.
“…Not sure why, but she seems to like me… so I’ll give talking to her a shot.”
“Okay. If it doesn’t work… just leave it. You’ve already done more than enough.”
Claudia squeezed my shoulder lightly and smiled. It reminded me of that earlier look. The contrast made me feel oddly special—and a bit bitter on the tongue.
Think about it later. First, talk to Lena. I beckoned, calling her name, and she approached with a bright face. She sniffed me right away and grinned in satisfaction. Wondering if I had some special scent, I let her nuzzle close… but I didn’t smell anything unusual.
“So, what’re you here for?”
Lena’s voice caught me mid-sniff. Straightening my clothes, I replied.
“I heard… you’re refusing the egg-laying inducer…”
“Oh, that?”
She crossed her wings like arms and snorted.
“Why would we take some unverified drug from who-knows-where? Sure, if the effects are real like they say, it’d be tempting…”
Unlike her clingy sniffing earlier, she laid out her reasons fluently and logically.
…She wasn’t wrong. But I had faith in my potions, so I stood firm.
“I made it, and I guarantee the effects and safety. I even flavored it like your favorite fruits to make it easy to take. Just try it once—call it getting duped.”
“You made it?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded, and surprise crossed her face. She sniffed me again, then looked conflicted. Whatever scent she detected, I waited calmly. Soon, Lena spoke.
“Fine. You eat it first and show no issues, then I’ll take it.”
“Huh…?”
“Did I say something hard?”
What could I do? Staring at her expectant wing-flutter, I replied.
“Sure.”
“For real?”
“I don’t go back on my word.”
A man’s word is his bond under heaven! I pulled a prototype from my gown pocket and popped it into my mouth decisively. Sweet fruit flavor spread. I rolled it around, tucking it between my molars and cheek.
For now, this woman’s body meant no lie. …No harmful ingredients, anyway. Human effects were unknown, so… precautions.
A twinge of guilt for the deception, but it wouldn’t harm them. Not for the money. Really.
Faking a swallow, Lena’s face lit up in shock.
“Y-you actually ate it?”
…Guilty as charged.
“N-not suspicious now?”
“If you’re going this far, I’ll trust you once! Because it’s you.”
“Uh, y-yeah…”
Lena suddenly enveloped me in her wings, hugging and shaking me.
…The pill slipped down my throat. Couldn’t make a fuss without admitting the ruse, so I trembled inwardly. Hoping my stiff face didn’t show.
After shaking me thoroughly, Lena said she’d test the effects and left with the prototype. The man thanked me profusely and dashed after her.
Claudia approached with a strange look.
“Looked like you really swallowed… you okay?”
“…Probably.”
She sighed in disbelief at my answer, then ruffled my light pink hair.
“…Don’t.”
“Didn’t need to go that far. If any weird side effects pop up, tell me.”
“Aren’t you busy anyway? And… what can Dia do? I made it.”
She patted her belly and laughed.
“Just saying—if it comes up. I’ve helped a few times.”
“…As if. I’m human.”
“Hypothetical. I’ll walk you back. Or wanna sightsee for a change?”
“No. Mountains of work today too.”
“So heartless.”
Claudia clutched her eyes dramatically, sniffling. About to scold her fake tears… that earlier face flashed, so I said something else.
“I’m busy making time for dates with you.”
“That so?”
Her touched gaze drew a hollow laugh from me.
“…Glad you finally get it.”
Though Cecil tagging along was still a secret. Under Claudia’s smiling escort, I returned to the workshop. Hoping for rave harpy reviews.
My stomach hurt. Touching my lower belly, something rock-hard pressed back. Cold sweat trickled down my back.
Claudia ahead and Cecil beside turned puzzled faces to me.
“Sha’a, you okay?”
“Lady Sha’a, your complexion looks poor.”
My hands shook. Terror gripped me at the alien sensation from below. Why… me… of all people… I’d lived righteously…
Injustice welled; tears pricked my eyes. Claudia approached gravely. Cecil scanned me with wide, panicked eyes.
To the fussing pair, I whispered.
“…It feels like it’s coming.”
“…What?”
“Lady Sha’a?”
Doubt filled their worried eyes—that instant.
