“Oh no, poor rabbit!” I said as I rushed towards it. 

The crow flew up because of my erratic movement. I kneeled by the rabbit and saw where it was bleeding. Its back leg was slick with red, matted fur. I couldn’t tell how it got injured but I hoped it wasn’t from a predator that was still lurking around. I glanced at my surroundings to be safe. 

The forest was mostly quiet except for some birdsong and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. I didn’t see many animals either. Most of those I saw before now were in the distance and disappeared before I could get too close. This rabbit couldn’t move though so it couldn’t leave at my approach. 

While watching the scared and injured rabbit, I had an intense urge to save the poor thing. I probably had no right to interfere with the forest’s food chain, but I couldn’t leave the rabbit to die here either. It would haunt me knowing I’d left it when there was something I could have done to help it. I carefully reached under the rabbit to pick it up. Its legs twitched as if it wanted to run away. 

“Don’t worry,” I said soothingly. “I’m going to take you home and help you. You’ll be alright, I promise.” 

I held the small rabbit in my arms and began to walk in the opposite direction I came from. The crow landed on my shoulder. I looked at it and it looked at me. It didn’t say anything or act like I was doing something I shouldn’t. So I just walked until the sun began getting low in the sky and I felt lost. My pace slowed and I turned my head to find anything that might be familiar. The crow noticed my unease and flew upwards to show me the way like I knew it would. 

When I got back to the palace, the crow flew away and I entered alone. It probably didn’t like what happened in the dining room last time. The first servant who saw me gasped. She ran away before I could say anything. I continued down the hallways and tried to make it to my room but the butler appeared with that first maid in tow and the other servants began to gather, staring at me with wide eyes. 

“Are you alright, your highness?” the butler asked. 

“Yes, I’m alright,” I said. “It’s this little one that needs help.” I lifted the rabbit so he would notice its wound. 

The butler only glanced at the rabbit before eyeing me up and down. “We should prepare a bath and get you new clothes first. Your appearance has caused quite the scare.” 

I forgot that I was probably covered in mud and fallen leaves. The servants around me quickly took the rabbit and ushered me to my room for a bath. I was scrubbed from head to toe and made up nicely in clean clothes. The efficacy of the maids always gave me whiplash. 

“Where’s the rabbit?” I asked as a maid brushed my hair in the mirror. 

“It’s being tended to by the best animal doctor in the country, so don’t worry, your highness.” 

“I understand. It will be alright then?” 

“Yes, the doctor will come to speak with you when he’s finished his care for the rabbit.” 

I stared at myself in the mirror and noticed the worry in my own eyes. I shouldn’t worry though, I should trust the animal doctor and wait. 

The maids left when they were done making me look presentable. I didn’t know what to do with myself while I waited for the doctor. I decided to open the window and enjoy the breeze and the setting sun. As I leaned out the window, I heard a bird and looked up. A crow was swooping down. 

I was worried it was going to fly right into me so I jumped out of the way as it flew in through the window. It circled my room before landing on the coffee table in the middle of the room. 

“You scared me! You still want to come in here despite what happened in the dining room?” 

It only twitched its head and blinked at me. I sighed and sat on the couch across from it. 

I began to bounce my leg. “That rabbit’s injury wasn’t bad, was it? It’ll be alright, won’t it? I can’t help but worry. Maybe I should go to the doctor instead of waiting for the doctor to come to me.” 

I stood up. “That’s right, I can just go to him. I’ll have to ask a servant where the doctor is.” 

Just as I was about to open my bedroom door, I heard a knock and the butler’s voice. 

“Your highness? I’ve come with the animal doctor. May we come in?” 

I immediately opened the door after hearing those words. “Is the rabbit alright?” I asked. 

The doctor smiled. “Of course, the cut on its leg was deep, but it’ll heal up nicely with good care. I’m sure it can go back to the forest in a few weeks.” 

I sighed with relief. “I’m glad. Where is it now?” 

“It’s resting, but would you like for me to bring it here?” 

“Yes! I mean, if that’s alright…” 

“Of course, your highness,” he bowed. “I will go retrieve the rabbit now.” 

The doctor left me and the butler behind. The butler turned to me, glancing behind me into my room. 

“Master Fergus has something he wanted me to tell you,” he said. 

“Uncle does? What is it?” 

“He said he…will not allow pets in the palace. Especially those that are wild animals. They could carry diseases and it’s just not safe. For the people in the palace and the animals themselves, that is.” 

I paused, lowering my head. “Right… I understand. Uncle knows best. I’ll let the rabbit go when it’s fully healed.” 

The butler bowed. “Yes, your highness. If you would like to keep a pet, I’m sure we could look into getting a domestic animal of some kind.” 

“Thank you, I’ll think about it.” I smiled but it felt forced. Maybe because I didn’t want a pet. I wanted…the crow. The rabbit, although I barely knew it and it's possible it won’t like me. They already felt more like friends than pets. Yet if my uncle doesn’t want wild animals in the palace, I’ll have to comply. He is the king after all.