Chapter 3: The Miracle Fruit and the Fall

It was cold and clear, leaving no room for argument. "Riley, come in."

I picked up Carter’s treasure and shuffled reluctantly. My feet felt like lead as I trudged toward his office.

Inside, the atmosphere dropped to freezing. The air was thick with tension. I barely dared to breathe.

It was said that Carter used to take down criminals like swatting flies, and no one in the city dared provoke him. His reputation was legendary, and I suddenly remembered every scary story I’d ever heard about him.

"You dug up my Miracle Fruit?" Carter’s cold voice made my feathers stand on end. He sat behind his desk, eyes narrowed, voice icy.

I clutched the stone. This was the legendary Miracle Fruit? I stared at it, trying to see what made it so special.

So hard, wouldn’t it break your teeth? I couldn’t imagine anyone eating it, let alone calling it a fruit.

"Should I plant it back for you?" I asked tentatively. I offered it with both hands, hoping he’d accept it and let me go.

"No use. Once it’s dug up, it’s ruined." He shook his head, his voice soft, almost sad. I felt a pang of guilt.

My heart sank, but I still wanted to save it. I bit my lip, desperate for a solution.

The patterns hadn’t completely faded; maybe eating it now would work. I stared at the fruit, weighing my options. Maybe if I acted fast...

I took a deep breath and shuffled closer. I steeled myself, ready to do whatever it took.

"I think it can still be saved," I blurted out, not sure I believed it myself.

"Oh?" Carter smiled faintly, his lips twitching, as if he was amused by my stubbornness.

"Maybe now—ah!" I stumbled, my left claw tripping over my right, and fell forward. Everything happened in slow motion. I reached out, but it was too late.

With the momentum, I knocked over the screen. The crash was deafening. I winced, bracing for impact.

The screen and I crashed onto Carter. We landed in a heap, limbs tangled. I groaned, dazed.

As we fell, I heard Carter grunt in pain. He let out a low “oof,” but didn’t push me away.

He probably wanted to kill me at that moment. I peeked up at him, expecting a glare, but saw only surprise.

For the first time, we faced each other directly without the screen. His eyes were even more intense up close, but not unkind.

I sneaked a look at him, but when our eyes met, I quickly looked down, cheeks burning. He was younger than I’d expected.

I never expected that despite his age, Carter would look so young. His skin was smooth, his hair silver but thick, and his eyes sharp and clear.

With silver hair, a smooth, fair face, and sharp features, he sat at the table quietly making tea, every movement exuding nobility and elegance.

He poured tea with a steady hand, not a drop spilled. It was mesmerizing. I clicked my tongue inwardly. No wonder the maid liked him.

He was ridiculously handsome, in a quiet, understated way. Who wouldn’t be smitten? Even I felt my heart skip a beat.

Our family is known for beauty, but I never thought a man could be so handsome. I’d always thought the stories were exaggerated. Turns out, they weren’t.

"If I say it was an accident, will you believe me?" I asked cautiously, trying to sound innocent, hoping for mercy.

Carter looked at me with a half-smile, his face clearly saying, "Do you think I believe you?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

That fall was not light. My back ached, but I tried not to show it. Since coming here, I’ve caused trouble again and again. I mentally apologized, promising myself to be more careful.

"Come here." Carter reached out, his hand steady, palm open. I hesitated, unsure what he wanted.

I hesitated for a while, then jumped into his arms, bracing myself, expecting a scolding. Was he going to hit me? I closed my eyes tightly, but the expected pain never came.

Instead, I felt a gentle hand on my head, smoothing my feathers. I peeked at him through a slit. He smiled, eyes soft. My heart fluttered.

"Open your mouth." Carter looked at my little actions with amusement. What a silly bird. He chuckled, shaking his head at my antics.

I obediently opened my beak, trying to look brave, but my wings trembled.

Carter used a trick to peel off the Miracle Fruit’s hard shell, revealing a fruit that glowed faintly yellow. The scent was sweet and intoxicating. I felt my mouth water.

Before I knew it, the fruit was already in my stomach. He slipped it into my mouth so quickly I barely tasted it.

I smacked my beak, unable to taste it since it was too fast. I pouted, wishing I’d savored it more.

Carter stroked my feathers, eyes half-closed, content—he finally got to touch them. He ran his fingers through them, a look of pure bliss on his face.

I looked up at him, but he quickly returned to his cool Guardian demeanor, clearing his throat, sitting up straighter.

"This will help you transform," Carter said, his voice gentle, full of promise.

I looked at him in surprise, eyes wide. "Thank you, Mr. Carter!" My heart swelled with gratitude. Maybe things would finally change for me.

A surge of energy rushed through my body, and I felt better than ever. It was like a jolt of electricity, waking up every cell inside me.

I lifted my bird head joyfully. It seemed my transformation was just around the corner! I flapped my wings, unable to contain my excitement.

Carter really liked the feel of my feathers, reluctant to let go, stroking them until they stuck up. He smiled, eyes twinkling with amusement at my ruffled state.

Uncomfortable, I moved my neck, squirming, trying to smooth them down. I wondered, why does Carter like petting my feathers so much?

I glanced up, catching him staring at my fluff with a dreamy look. Well, it’s worth all my years of care if Carter likes them this much. I grinned, secretly pleased.

Seeing that Carter wasn’t letting go, I simply lay down and let him stroke me, resting on his lap and closing my eyes. His lap was warm and steady. I let myself relax for the first time in ages.

I didn’t know how long I slept, but when I woke up, it was completely dark. The house was quiet, the only sound the distant chirping of crickets. Carter was gone. His scent lingered in the air, comforting and familiar.

I hopped to the hole I had dug in the backyard. The moonlight cast silver shadows across the grass. I carried my feather carefully.

I gently placed my feather in and covered it with soil. I patted the earth smooth, whispering a silent goodbye.

Looking at the small mound, I put my hands together and closed my eyes to make a wish, hoping I could transform soon and become the most beautiful bird, making my parents proud. I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing with all my heart.

In the gazebo behind me, Carter watched me quietly. He stood in the shadows, arms crossed, a faint smile on his lips.

The maid beside him wanted to stop me, but Carter waved her back. She hovered nervously, but he shook his head, signaling her to let me be.

"No need," his voice was soft, almost fond.

"But that soil was specially moved here by Mr. Carter to plant the Miracle Fruit. Besides, after so many years, Carter only got one successful fruit, and now Riley just ate it." The maid sounded agitated, wringing her hands.

"I gave it to her. Are you questioning me?" Carter frowned, eyes flashing with warning. The maid backed down immediately.

The maid was still resentful but didn’t dare say more, biting her lip and bowing her head. Carter waved her away coldly. "Yes." The maid looked embarrassed, scurrying off.

After she left, Carter looked at me deeply, watching me in silence, a thoughtful look in his eyes. This girl still liked to hold funerals for her feathers after all these years.

With Carter backing me up, I became quite overbearing in the house. I strutted around like I owned the place, basking in my newfound confidence.

Today I broke Carter’s treasured vase; tomorrow I snapped a pen he’d carved for a long time. Each time, I apologized, but Carter just shook his head and cleaned up the mess.

Heaven knows, I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I was just clumsy, growing faster than I could keep up with.

It’s just that after eating the Miracle Fruit, my body, which hadn’t grown in years, suddenly shot up. My legs got longer, my wings broader. It was hard to adjust.

In a few days, Carter couldn’t carry me anymore and could only stroke my head standing up. He’d ruffle my hair and laugh, “Growing up fast, aren’t you?”

I felt wronged; my sudden growth made me clumsy. I pouted, wishing I could shrink back down.

I used to flit around the house, but now whenever I went out, chaos ensued. I bumped into door frames, knocked over lamps, and tripped over rugs. The staff started hiding the good china when they saw me coming.

Although my feathers grew glossier and I had a bit of bird majesty, showing signs of transformation, I caught my reflection and barely recognized myself. I was finally changing.

Carter forbade me from running around. He put his foot down, insisting I stay put until I got the hang of my new size. He was afraid his house wouldn’t survive until my transformation.

Losing my freedom, I was depressed, and even being petted by Carter didn’t make me happy. I sulked on the couch, feeling sorry for myself.

"Sigh!" I sighed heavily, collapsing on the couch. Carter looked up from his book at me, raising an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Today is your ninety-eighth sigh," he said, keeping count, marking each one with a little tick in his notebook.

"Sigh." I pouted. If you didn’t restrict my freedom, would I be sighing? I glared at him, but he just smiled.

"Ninety-nine," Carter said lightly, not even looking up from his book. I angrily pointed my wing at Carter, accusing him. “You’re the reason I’m stuck in here!”

"I want to go out!" I whined, hoping to wear him down. "No." Carter lowered his head and continued reading, ignoring me. I gritted my beak in anger, muttering under my breath, plotting my next move.

The atmosphere was tense. Carter ignored me, so I went to bother him, making him look at me. I paced back and forth, sighing louder each time.

"Just this once," he finally caved, unable to resist my relentless pestering. Carter, unable to stand my pestering, agreed to my request, closing his book with a resigned smile.

I happily ran to the door, ready to go out and have fun, but the back of my neck was grabbed. I looked back in confusion at Carter’s warm smile. Didn’t he already agree?

"I’m coming with you," he said, grabbing his coat and slipping on his shoes.