[Corvus POV]
"Mister Raven, where did you get something like this?"
'From my jewellery box, of course,' Corvus said in his heart.
Anna inspected the bracelet and seemed to ponder a bit. She was not a jewellery expert, but she was one hundred percent sure this one was not a fake. Because the quality and the shine was exquisite.
But how could Mister Raven got this kind of precious bracelet?
"Did you find it somewhere, Mister Raven?" Anna asked. She started to worry whether Mister Raven was actually stealing jewellery from the palace ladies or other nobles. "Mister Raven, stealing is not good, you know. You should give this back to the owner."
'I'm not stealing! It's mine in the first place!' Corvus yelled in his heart. Though, he understood that Anna wouldn't believe him. Who would've believed a bird that brought you a piece of precious jewellery as a gift?
Thus to convince Anna, Corvus shook his head and jumped on Anna's arm. He slowly pinched the bracelet on Anna's palm with his beak and then tried his best to put the bracelet on Anna's wrist.
Anna chuckled when Mister Raven seemed to struggle to put the bracelet on her arm. "Why do you want me to wear this anyway? You know a palace maid cannot use something like this," Anna said.
Corvus was stunned as the Raven, his eyes stared at Anna full of confusion. He tilted his head, 'A palace maid cannot use bracelet?'
Anna seemed to catch Mister Raven's question, and she chuckled, "Mister Raven, I cannot use this because no palace maid is allowed to use jewellery as a sign of servitude. Besides, something like this looks way too expensive for a maid to wear. They might think that I'm stealing or a Prince is gifting me a bracelet."
'But technically, I am still a prince, and I'm gifting you that…' Corvus said.
The Raven insisted Anna wear it, so Anna decided to entertain the Raven and wore the bracelet. "Well, it is very pretty indeed," Anna commented.
The bracelet was made of white gold, with a crescent diamond engraved on it. It was simple yet exquisite. Anna was amazed by the crescent diamond lustre and started adoring the beauty. Maybe her lady instinct kicked in since diamonds are girls' best friend.
Corvus was satisfied when he saw that Anna adored the bracelet. He felt accomplished and puffed his raven chest. "Creak! Creak!"
Anna glanced at Mister Raven and chuckled. She took off the bracelet and gave it back to Mister Raven, "You should return this to the owner. This looks very expensive," Anna said.
'No, no! I give this to you, this is a gift, Anna! An apology gift!' Corvus replied with hoarse creaking again. Anna was confused when Corvus tried to put the bracelet on Anna's again.
"Mister Raven, if Edith saw me having this, she would think that I stole from Prince Ignis' room or from other palace ladies!" Anna said. But Corvus didn't care. He felt really accomplished when he saw Anna adored that diamond.
After struggling for so long, Corvus finally gave up. Since Anna kept on taking off the bracelet. 'Did she not like my bracelet? Is it ugly? But I'm so proud when she is wearing it…' Corvus thought.
Anna sensed the Raven was sad, so she patted the Raven and asked, "Mister Raven, is this truly yours? Did you find it somewhere and not stealing it? Because I don't want to accept something that you steal."
The Raven shook his head. He rubbed his head on Anna to persuade Anna so she would accept it.
'It is mine! I gift one of my pieces of jewellery to you! Please accept it and wear it proudly!' Corvus said.
"Okay, then. I will accept this. Thank you so much, Mister Raven," Anna said. She laughed when Mister Raven started flying around her as if she was happy. Then she felt a bit sad, "Well, I still cannot wear it," Anna said.
'Huh? Why?'
"Hm, just like what I told you before, Mister Raven. I am still a palace maid nonetheless. Wearing something like this will only get me in trouble. I will keep it, however. Do not worry, I will not pawn it off… perhaps," Anna promised the Raven.
Corvus stared at Anna, who didn't seem to be burdened. But he was the one who got deflated instead.
It was obvious that Anna liked that bracelet. But her lowly status forbade her from using such a thing. Anna knew her place and wouldn't want to mess with the rules because she was just a palace maid.
Corvus truly felt really bad. Because he really liked it when Anna was happy with his jewellery. But he was also a cursed prince that was chained probably for his entire life. So he couldn't do much.
'Anna… do you really like that bracelet?' Corvus asked.
"Cluck… Cluck… Cluck…"
Anna heard the Raven was clucking. She didn't understand Raven's language, but she sensed that the Raven asked her whether she liked it or not. "Oh yes, I do like it so much, Mister Raven," Anna replied.
'Then… I will find a way so you can wear my bracelet, my ring, and my earring without repercussion!' Corvus swore in his heart.
This was the first time for him to finally have an ambition. He felt alive and vigorous, knowing he finally got something to do right now, something to fight for. Maybe it would take a while, but at least, Corvus had something so simple as his first ambition after ten years.
And his first ambition was…
To let Anna wear his gifted jewellery with pride.