I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Lukas walked through the corridors of Hark Castle with careful steps.

The polished marble floor reflected the morning light in silvery patterns, and his leather sandals made a soft sound with each step, echoing discreetly against the stone walls. The small eagle remained nestled in his arms.

The bird observed everything around it with its large golden eyes. The feathers on its head were slightly ruffled, and its small beak, curved at the tip, was slightly open, as if it were panting.

Even injured, there was something dignified about it. A silent nobility. A pride that remained unshaken even in the face of pain.

Lady Elara walked beside him, her bare feet tapping against the marble with an enthusiasm that contrasted with the serenity of the morning. Her brown hair swayed behind her back as she moved forward with the seriousness of someone entrusted with an extremely important mission.

Her brown eyes were fixed on the eagle, and she bit her lower lip in concentration.

”We need to find a box,” Lukas declared.

Elara shifted her gaze toward him, confused.

”A box?”

Lukas nodded.

”It needs a temporary bed.”

Elara blinked a few times. That made sense. If the eagle remained loose, it could injure itself even more. If it stayed in his arms all the time, Lukas would not be able to do anything else.

”Have you taken care of birds before?” Elara asked.

”No,” Lukas admitted immediately.

He lifted his chin.

”But every sick creature needs a comfortable place.”

Elara could not help but smile slightly.

”I agree.”

The two continued walking through the corridors.

Some servants beginning their morning duties paused briefly when they saw them pass. The daughter of Count Hark was walking through the castle beside the young heir of the Dmond family, carrying an eagle wrapped in his arms.

It was an unusual sight.

An older maid carrying a basket of bed linens stopped and opened her mouth. A young servant sweeping the floor leaned his broom against the wall and watched. Two guards changing shifts exchanged confused glances.

Finally, Elara stopped in front of a maid arranging flower vases in a niche in the wall.

”Do you know where we can find a box?”

The woman, a middle-aged servant with a white apron and her hair tied in a tight bun, blinked in surprise.

”A box, Lady Elara?”

”For an eagle.”

The maid opened her mouth. Then closed it.

Her eyes moved over the small group, the noble girl, the visiting boy, and the injured bird.

Then she smiled politely, as if that were the most normal thing in the world.

”I believe the storage wing has some empty boxes.”

A few minutes later, they found exactly what they were looking for.

The storage wing was located on the castle’s ground floor, a less ornate area with bare stone walls and brick flooring. But it was clean, organized, and the boxes were stacked on wooden shelves.

A small, clean wooden box, approximately the size of a shoebox, with a removable lid, was perfect.

In addition, another servant passing through the corridor carrying clean sheets brought over some soft cotton cloths.

”I hope this helps, Young Master Dmond,” he said with a bow.

”Thank you,” Lukas replied.

He carefully placed the box on a nearby table in the corner of the storage room.

The eagle let out a small sharp sound, a weak chirp, almost a whisper. Its eyes remained alert, following Lukas’s every movement.

”We’re going to help you,” Lukas said softly.

Elara stepped closer.

”What are we going to do now?”

Lukas observed the injured wing.

”We need to stop it from continuing to move.”

He picked up one of the clean cloths, a rectangle of soft, lint-free white cotton.

The little bird immediately became alert. The muscles beneath its feathers tensed. Its golden eyes widened.

”It’s okay,” Lukas murmured.

He slowly brought his hand closer. His fingers gently stroked the feathers near its neck. The tension eased slightly.

Then, with extreme delicacy, he examined the position of the injured wing.

It was not something he knew how to do perfectly. He had never studied veterinary medicine. He had never treated a wild bird before.

But he had enough experience taking care of Tilbo and Prata to understand one simple thing. Avoid making the situation worse.

”It’s going to hurt a little.”

The eagle tilted its head slightly. Lukas took a deep breath.

Then he carefully moved the wing against the bird’s body, resting it against its side in the most natural position possible.

The little bird let out a sound of discomfort, a sharp, quick chirp that cut through the air.

Elara covered her mouth with her hands.

”Is it okay?”

”Yes.”

Lukas continued working.

He wrapped the cloth around the eagle’s body, passing beneath the healthy wing and over the injured one, securing everything together. Firm enough to prevent sudden movements. Soft enough not to interfere with its breathing.

The bird remained surprisingly calm. When he finished, Lukas took a step back.

The eagle looked almost like a small cocoon of feathers and white fabric. Only its head and claws remained uncovered.

Elara widened her eyes.

”You really do know how to take care of animals.”

Lukas discreetly scratched his cheek.

”I’m learning.”

The little bird turned its golden eyes toward him. The eyes that, moments earlier, had been wide with fear were now calm.

Then, it closed them for a few seconds. Relaxing.

Elara smiled.

”I think it likes you.”

Lukas looked at the eagle. Then sighed.

”That usually happens.”

’At least it happens with small animals.’

The girl’s brown eyes sparkled with curiosity. Before they could continue the conversation...

”Breakfast!”

Elara widened her eyes.

”It should begin soon,” she said, pointing at the box.

”Bring the eagle.”

Lukas hesitated.

”Are you sure?”

Elara nodded immediately.

”My father won’t mind.”

Lukas looked at the little bird. He did not want to leave it alone in that condition, injured and frightened, in an unfamiliar place.

”Alright.”

The two continued through the corridors.

Elara in front, guiding the way. Lukas is behind, carrying the box with the eagle inside.

Soon afterward, they arrived at the large hall reserved for the Hark family’s private meals.

It was very different from the ballroom. More welcoming.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows allowed the golden morning light to pour in, bathing the room in warm tones. The floor was made of dark wood rather than marble. The walls were decorated with smaller tapestries depicting landscapes, mountains, forests, and rivers.

A long, dark wooden table occupied the center of the room. High-backed chairs with carved armrests. Silver candlesticks stood at the center.