"Allow me to clarify," Artemis spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of weariness as she settled onto the plush couch, gracefully crossing her legs.
She delicately massaged her temples, attempting to alleviate the strain of the day.
"If I understand correctly, you wish to present her with a gift on the eve of her birthday," she summarized, her green eyes flickering with a glimmer of comprehension.
"Yes, precisely. Considering it will be her special day tomorrow, I surmised that it would be best to offer the gift beforehand so she could fully indulge in the celebrations without any distractions."
A sense of fatigue washed over Artemis, her weariness apparent in her expression as she maintained a calm yet slightly creased brow.
"Very well," she sighed, rising from the couch with an air of resignation.
Her gaze lingered upon the elegantly wrapped gift resting upon the nearby table, showcasing a captivating piece of artwork within.
She couldn't help but question the practicality of its size, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty as she mused aloud, "This is quite large. I wonder if I am capable of carrying it..."
In an instant, a swirl of golden and white smoke filled the room, cascading down to reveal Artemis in her avian form as Psyche.
Its feathers shimmered with an ethereal glow as it deftly grasped the ribbon of the gift between its beak, its wings gracefully flapping in preparation for flight.
With a determined resolve, it soared into the air, leaving the man's office behind.
♕
As Queen took flight and disappeared into the sky, Navier found herself resigned to the task at hand—finishing the cake that lay before her.
Her thoughts drifted, accompanied by a touch of sadness that lingered in her expression.
Suddenly, a commotion from the balcony window caught her attention, causing her eyes to widen with concern.
"Psyche!" she exclaimed, witnessing the bird's unfortunate tumble to the ground under the weight of the gift it had carried.
Acting swiftly, Navier hastened to open the balcony window once more, her heart filled with worry for the bird's well-being.
To her astonishment, she discovered that the wrapped gift possessed an intriguing portrait-like shape, arousing her curiosity further.
With utmost care, she knelt down and assisted Psyche in relinquishing the burden from its beak, lifting the present into her own hands as they retreated indoors.
A sense of anticipation filled the air as Navier contemplated the nature of the mysterious gift.
"Oh... I wonder what this is," the empress murmured, her voice carrying a tinge of curiosity.
The sparkling eyes of the bird before her betrayed its hunger, a consequence of its long journey.
Navier chuckled warmly and, using a fork, delicately cut a small piece of the delectable cake.
Extending her hand, she offered the morsel to Psyche, who initially flinched in surprise.
"Are you hungry?"
Psyche's eyes widened, its response indicating a refusal as it shook its head fervently.
However, the empress persisted, her tenderness unyielding. "Come on," she coaxed, finding the bird's hesitance endearing.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Psyche furrowed its brows before finally opening its mouth, allowing Navier to offer the nourishment it so clearly desired.
The bird savored the taste, relishing each chew with evident satisfaction.
"Do you like it?" Navier inquired, her head slightly tilted to the side as she observed Psyche's reaction intently.
The bird's ears perked up, its eyes sparkling with delight, and its mouth slightly agape in astonishment.
"Coo!" Psyche chirped, conveying its happiness and contentment.
Navier's attention then returned to the gift cradled within her hands. Her eyes focused on the note affixed to the intricately wrapped package, prompting her to read its contents. The words held a special significance:
[Happy early birthday, empress. Do you like the gift? I have commissioned one of my empire's finest artists to create a portrait of you.]
"A...portrait of me?" Navier uttered in a state of disbelief, her voice barely above a whisper.
With deliberate movements, she unwrapped the gift, peeling away the layers of anticipation that encased the artwork within.
As her eyes beheld the masterpiece, a surge of awe coursed through her veins. It was a stunning portrait, capturing the essence of her being in exquisite detail.
Navier couldn't help but smile and chuckle, her cheeks tinted with a gentle blush of embarrassment.
"This is far too... special," she confessed, her voice carrying a mix of gratitude and appreciation for the gesture bestowed upon her.
Navier's discerning gaze fell upon Psyche, who regarded her with an expression that remained outwardly neutral, yet there was a hint of yearning in its eyes, reminiscent of a puppy seeking for more of the delicious cake.
A gentle gasp escaped Navier's lips as she registered the unspoken desire reflected in Psyche's gaze.
"Oh, would you like some more?" she whispered softly, taken aback by the unexpected request.
Psyche responded with a hesitant nod, its delicate movements conveying a mix of hope and uncertainty.
A tender smile graced Navier's lips as she recognized the bird's longing for further sustenance.
"Alright," she acquiesced, her voice filled with warmth and kindness.
"You can have more," she assured, her tone brimming with reassurance.
♕
Artemis, having transformed back into her human form several minutes prior, now found herself in her office, seated gracefully in her chair.
As she delved into the task of organizing and completing the paperwork that cluttered her desk, her thoughts began to drift towards a different matter entirely.
Frustration tinged her sigh as she struggled to shake off the distracting thoughts.
Startled by her sudden exasperation, her advisor couldn't help but voice concern.
"Your Grace, is something troubling you?" the advisor inquired, their voice laced with genuine worry.
With a dismissive wave of her hand, Artemis attempted to alleviate their concern.
"I assure you, I am fine. Just a minor distraction. This whole deal with him is just..."
Her words trailed off, leaving an air of unfinished thought as her gaze shifted to the knitted sweater that rested on the edge of her desk, crafted specifically for her eagle form.
The subtle crease in her brow revealed her contemplation, while a soft flush of color rose to her cheeks, betraying the memory of the empress's tender gesture and the thoughtful gift she had received.
Pressing her fingertips gently against her lips, Artemis felt her heart quicken its pace.
Was it simply embarrassment that had stirred these emotions within her?
"... continuously bothering me."