The first day I took care of the rabbit, I stayed in my room so I could be aware of it all day. I tried to bond and become friends with him but he seemed afraid. I hoped he would warm up to me, especially before I had to release him back into the forest. 

I heard tapping on my window and noticed the crow outside. I glanced back at my closed bedroom door and carefully opened the window just enough for the crow to enter. It circled my room as it usually did and landed on the coffee table. It cawed at me. 

“Shh!” I quickly said. “Did you miss me at our meeting spot? I can’t go today and probably not for a while. I’m taking care of the rabbit we found.” 

The crow twitched its head. Then it cawed again. 

“You have to keep it down! I can’t let anyone find you here! You want a snack, right? I already have some for you in this pouch.” 

I grabbed a cloth pouch from my desk and put it in front of the crow. I pulled open the top and the crow stuck its beak inside. While it ate, I tried to soothe the rabbit to come out of its cage again. 

I became worried when the crow eventually landed between me and the cage. These animals aren’t enemies and will get along, won’t they? I prepared myself to interfere just in case something happened. 

The crow twitched its head before walking forward. I watched it slowly enter the cage, looking around. The rabbit backed up to the very end of the cage. 

“Don’t scare the little guy!” I exclaimed. 

The crow ignored me as it moved closer to the rabbit. I held my breath as I watched the crow closely. The crow got very close, the rabbit pushing up against the back of the cage and trembling. Then it only turned around and walked back out of the cage. I finally let out the breath I was holding in. 

“What were you even trying to do?!” I said. “Don’t scare the poor rabbit!” 

The crow ignored me again and flew up to my vanity to poke in my jewelry again. I sighed. I put a piece of carrot in the cage and watched the rabbit, hoping it would eat what I’ve given it. It stayed pressed up against the cage for a while. 

As time passed, the rabbit seemed to be getting more comfortable with me. It was an amazing feeling to see him open up to me. The crow visited but only observed unlike the first time it saw the rabbit. 

Just as I was letting the rabbit eat out of my hand, a knock was heard at my door. 

“Your highness? You have a guest,” the butler said. 

When I opened the door, a happy face greeted me. 

“Callum!” I said. “What brings you here?” 

“Just stopping by on my way to see your uncle. You’ve been well, I hope?” 

“Yes, I’d say I’m doing better. Please come in.” 

Callum entered my room and the butler left after fulfilling his duty. I closed the door behind us. 

“I see you’ve got a forest critter in your room now,” Callum said as he eyed the rabbit. 

“I found him injured in the forest,” I explained as I stood next to him. “I’m taking care of him until he’s fully healed.” 

“I’d like to see how he’s doing. Can we open the cage?” 

“Of course. He likes wandering around my room.” I kneeled down and opened the door on the cage. 

The rabbit seemed unsure at first. Callum stepped aside and waited patiently with a smile. Soon the rabbit hopped out. Then he began to explore my room like he usually does when I let him. 

“Ah yes,” Callum said, watching him, “he seems quite healthy now. He seems to trust you as well. I’ve never seen a happier rabbit.” 

His words tickled my heart. “You think so? I’d…I’d like to keep him… Not necessarily as a pet, but more as a friend. If he wants to stay with me, that is.” 

Callum nodded. “I believe he’d want to stay with you too. It should be no problem to keep him.” 

I hesitated. The rabbit stopped next to me. I gently brushed his head with my fingers and he seemed to enjoy it. “My uncle…” I finally said. “He said he won’t allow me to keep the rabbit here.” 

“Hm…” Callum said, his hand to his chin in thought. “But he allowed it while the rabbit was injured?” 

“Yeah. I have to let him go back to the forest when he’s fully healed. And I’m afraid that time might be now…” 

“Hmmm…” His thinking became drawn out. Then he brightened. “I might have a solution!” 

I looked up at him. “Really?”