I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Servants moved around the room, arranging plates and cutlery.

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, warm, homemade, irresistible. There were fresh fruits, red apples, yellow pears, and green and purple grapes. Cheeses, white, yellow, and blue. Smoked hams, thinly sliced. Trays of eggs prepared in different ways, scrambled, poached, and boiled.

Aromatic teas, the scent of herbs rose from the silver teapot. And strong coffee, which Clavor would certainly appreciate.

”LUKAS!”

The familiar voice echoed through the hall.

Judite waved excitedly from one of the chairs, her brown hair still messy from sleep. Her silver medal was still around her neck; she had not taken it off.

”ELARA!”

The young noble girl broke into a huge smile.

The two girls ran toward each other, stopping only a few inches apart, their eyes shining.

”You fought really well yesterday!” Elara said.

Judite proudly lifted her chin.

”I almost won.”

The two laughed.

Lukas approached calmly, carrying the box.

”Sit here!” Judite said, pointing to the chair beside her.

Elara sat down immediately.

Lukas settled into the chair next to his sister, placing the box on the floor near his feet.

Judite then noticed the box.

”What is that?”

Lukas hesitated. Then he carefully lifted the lid. The small eagle opened its golden eyes.

Judite’s own eyes widened.

”An eagle!”

The girl immediately reached out her hand.

”Poor thing...”

Lukas quickly pulled the box away.

”Careful.”

Judite blinked.

”Hm?”

”It might peck you.”

Judite puffed out her cheeks in an enormous pout.

”But I wanted to help.”

Lukas partially closed the lid.

”You can help without losing a finger.”

The girl crossed her arms.

”You’re way too dramatic.”

Even so... she didn’t try to touch it again. She trusted her brother. Especially when it came to animals.

Gradually, the hall began to fill. Aurora arrived first.

Elegant even while wearing simple clothing, a light blue dress without embroidery, her white hair tied into a loose braid over one shoulder.

”Good morning.”

”Good morning!” the children replied.

Clavor appeared shortly afterward.

His hair was still slightly messy, a few rebellious strands escaping his hairstyle. His eyes still held the sleepy look of someone who had just woken up.

He seemed less intimidating in the mornings.

Finally... Count Hark entered the hall.

The man’s presence immediately altered the atmosphere of the room. Not because of fear.

But because of respect.

Tall. Broad-should. Attentive gray eyes.

He occupied the head chair at the center of the table, with his back to the wall, from where he could observe the entire hall.

Lukas discreetly glanced around. Lady Hark was not present. He quickly looked away.

’Did she pass away?’

Or perhaps she was traveling. Or occupied. Or ill.

Lukas pushed the thought aside.

’I shouldn’t ask.’

Some questions simply weren’t appropriate.

Breakfast began.

Clavor and Hark started a conversation almost immediately, as if they had merely paused a discussion the previous night and were now continuing it without interruption.

”The northern merchants keep raising their prices,” Clavor commented, cutting a piece of cheese.

Hark snorted.

”They always find an excuse.”

”The harvests were good this year,” Aurora said, taking a sip of tea.

”Even so,” Hark replied.

”People always complain.”

Lukas took the opportunity to eat.

Warm bread, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Herb butter melting across its surface. Smoked ham, salty, with that taste of smoke he loved. Creamy scrambled eggs. Fresh, sweet fruit.

Everything was delicious.

Then... Aurora frowned.

”Lukas.”

He froze.

”Yes?”

”What are you holding?”

Silence.

Everyone looked at him. Including Count Hark.

Lukas suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Before he could answer...

”FATHER!”

Elara raised her hand as if she were in school.

”Do you know how to take care of eagles?”

Count Hark blinked.

”Eagles?”

Lukas sighed.

Then he carefully opened the box.

The little bird lifted its head. Golden eyes swept across the surroundings, the hall, the adults, the children, and the windows.

Absolute silence.

”...”

”...”

Hark observed for a few seconds. Then he turned his gaze back to Lukas.

”No.”

Everyone blinked.

”I’ve never taken care of one.”

Elara looked disappointed.

But Hark continued.

”The healer can examine its wing.”

Lukas’s eyes lit up.

”Really?”

Hark nodded.

”After breakfast.”

Lukas smiled.

”Thank you.”

The meal continued.

When everyone had finished, empty plates and nearly empty cups, Count Hark stood up.

”Let’s go.”

Lukas immediately rose, carefully picking up the box. Elara stood as well. The three of them left the hall.

As they walked through the castle corridors, Hark remained silent.

Then he asked,

”Do you like animals, young Lukas?”

Lukas didn’t even have to think.

”I love all animals.”

The answer came firmly. Convincingly.

Hark cast him a sideways glance.

”All of them?”

”All of them.”

”Even dangerous creatures?”

Lukas nodded.

”They’re only following their own nature.”

Hark remained silent for several steps.

Then... a small smile appeared on his lips, rare and genuine.

”An unusual answer.”

Lukas stroked the eagle’s feathers through the opening in the box.

”They have feelings too.”

The count did not respond immediately.

But his eyes remained thoughtful.

Shortly afterward, they arrived before a simple dark wooden door, without ornaments, at the end of a less-traveled corridor.

Hark knocked twice.

”Come in.”

The man occupying the room was elderly.

Completely white hair, combed back. Gentle light-blue eyes, with deep wrinkles around them. Simple robes, a gray tunic without embroidery, and a leather apron over it.

The room smelled of dried herbs, rosemary, chamomile, lavender, and something else, something Lukas didn’t recognize.

”Count Hark,” the old man greeted, inclining his head.

”The healer.”

The man stepped forward.

”What do we have here?”

Lukas carefully showed him the eagle, opening the lid of the box.

The old man adjusted his glasses, round and gold-framed, and leaned closer to examine it.

”Well...”

He examined the bird with slow, precise movements.

He carefully felt the injured wing, his fingers gentle and unhurried. He observed the feathers, searching for visible wounds. He checked the eyes, their brightness, and their response to light. He gently opened the eagle’s beak and looked inside.

Finally, he stepped back.

”Animals are not my specialty.”

Elara looked nervous.

”But?”

The healer smiled, a calm smile that inspired confidence.

”It was lucky.”

Lukas straightened his posture.

”The wing isn’t destroyed.”

Elara placed her hands over her chest.

”Really?”

”Yes,” the man nodded.

”With rest. Proper nutrition. And appropriate care...”

He looked at Lukas.

”...it will probably fly again.”

Elara let out a long sigh.

”That’s wonderful...”

Lukas relaxed as well. Without realizing it, he had been holding his breath.

The healer smiled once more.

”Who will take care of it?”

Lukas looked at the little bird.

The eagle was watching him calmly through the opening of the box, its golden eyes now peaceful, almost drowsy.

”I will.”

Elara immediately nodded.

”Yes.” She smiled.

”Lukas already takes care of other animals. He has experience.”

Count Hark observed the scene, his excited daughter, the determined young Dmond, and the injured bird.

”Then it’s decided.”

Lukas carefully stroked the feathers on the eagle’s head through the opening.

The bird leaned slightly against his hand.

Once again...

It seemed that another animal had decided to enter his life.

And, honestly... As he looked into those small golden eyes filled with trust... Lukas realized that he didn’t mind it in the slightest.