After preparing dinner for both Darian's and Aaron's families, they didn't show up. I then received a message from a remarkable talking bird, sent by my fae princes, apologizing for their absence as their mother was causing trouble in the fae kingdom. The bird expressed how devastated her masters were for missing their first dinner with my family and conveyed their apologies. She revealed that she was not only a messenger but also an apology gift from the fae princes, who raised many like her to give to those they favored. She requested a name, and admiring her beautiful green and sparkling feathers that resembled crystals, I named her Emerald, though I mentioned I might sometimes call her Crystal. She chirped melodiously and stamped her long legs twice, causing a perch, a golden cage, a food bowl, toys, and food to appear. When I inquired about this, she disclosed that she was a magical creature of an unknown species, born above gem-filled caverns from which they hatch. She couldn't elaborate further but shared that her kind change with each season, her shiny feathers turning green in spring, golden like amber in summer, red and orange in autumn, and frosty clear in winter.

Emerald also mentioned that with each season, she would get different food and sometimes not eat as her colors changed. She explained that she would only want to breed after one thousand years when she was older and more mature. She said she would be my companion and support whenever I needed her, and she would be my confidant if I ever shared secrets with her. She would also be my eyes in the sky if needed. She explained that she was also a prude and that I shouldn't be surprised that once I wed the princes, all six of them, she would spy on my rendezvous with them and begin to sing a song for each man I was with to help create an ambiance. I blushed much to her amusement. She then let out a birdy laugh, saying she was joking, before winking at me and adding "maybe." I groaned into my pillow at the dorm room in the academy.

Later that day, my friends entered the room with food for me and recoiled upon spotting Emerald. They called her a 'thing.' My new pet stood up, her feathered chest puffed out, and she spoke in an offended tone, glaring at my friends as she informed them about herself.

"I beg your pardon, I am not a mere thing; my name is Emerald, and I am Mistress Malaya's new pet bird, sent to her by my masters, Prince Aaron and Prince Darian, as a gift of forgiveness for their absence at her dinner. I am an intelligent being with feelings, a heart, and a foul temper, so I suggest you show me some respect."

I could tell Emerald was quite offended at being referred to as a 'thing', so to soothe her, I stood up, stroked her feathery head gently, and spoke in a calm and kind tone.

"Forgive my friends, Emerald, for they did not mean to offend when they referred to you as a 'thing.' It was a natural reaction to encountering such a beautiful creature as yourself, a bird of great intellect and passion, cherished by whoever has the pleasure of your company."

Emerald preened at my compliments and rubbed her feathered head against my cheek, chirping happily. All offense forgotten, she returned to her food while my friend burst into giggles, teasing me about my growing menagerie. When I inquired, they reminded me of my throrse and now Emerald, but they also had a message from my other fated mates. They beckoned me to follow them, which led me outside to the academy grounds. There, my friends pointed out a stunning dragon-like creature with shining red skin and magnificent wings. Then, Drago's cousin Kialos appeared, informing me that his cousin along with my other fated mates would be absent from school for a few weeks due to intensive training. Each of their families had sent a gift for me. Kialos presented a small dragon-like creature, a baby ruby wyvern, and suggested I name it. I chose the name Garnet. Kialos advised that Garnet would be my protector while my mate was away and cautioned me not to underestimate it due to its size, as that would be a rookie mistake. I agreed, and Kialos departed after kissing my hand and addressing me as sister.

The next arrival was Judas's uncle, who greeted me with a smile and presented me with a three-headed puppy. As I gazed up at him, he explained that this pup was the offspring of the female Cerberus, the hellhound, who had birthed a sizable litter. He detailed that even in its youth, a Cerberus could breathe fire and spit lava, but reassured me that he had a fireproof room near the stables for the puppy's safety. He informed me that a new Cerberus pup imprints on its owner through sight and sound, which was why it was adorned with earmuffs and a blindfold. After removing these, he urged me to name the creature. I chose the name Shadow Bean, and upon hearing its name and my voice, flames flickered in its eyes, and it wagged its tails in excitement. To demonstrate its newfound loyalty, his uncle called its name, but the puppy did not respond. He tempted it with food, yet it refused. When I called Shadow Bean, it came, and when I offered it meat, it accepted. My new puppy was endearing.

Next, Tiberius's uncle appeared and led me to the water, where he presented me with my own sea monster egg. It hatched in my hands, revealing a baby kraken. Tiberius's uncle assured me it was safe to keep the baby kraken in the water, as it wouldn't harm anyone due to its strict vegetarian diet. It would dive deep into the ocean to forage in underwater fields of seaweed and other greens, requiring little attention. He further explained that this kraken was loyal solely to me, and all I needed to do was name it, which I did: Octavius. With that, Tiberius's uncle departed.

Finally, Firo's aunt arrived with a baby bird adorned with fiery orange feathers and informed me it was a newly hatched phoenix. She mentioned it had aged overnight and could cohabit with another magical bird. She shared stories of Firo's habit of raising them and their even temperaments. She described them as shy creatures that, once accustomed to someone, would open up and could even talk a little, though not extensively unless spoken to directly. She encouraged me to name it, and I chose Fawkes, inspired by my favorite movie professor, Mr. Dumbledore from Harry Potter. Firo's aunt laughed, appreciating the reference, kissed my forehead, and took her leave. As I contemplated the academy's reaction to my new pets, the headmaster approached with a smile, assuring me that my prince had arranged for accommodations for each gift I received. He affirmed it was permissible for me to keep them and that the academy would arrange their transport home during school breaks, where my parents had also prepared accommodations.

When I called my family, they relayed exactly what the headmaster had said, and that they adored animals, having an entire zoo full of them. That's when Mom told me how Dad had brought her exotic, magical animals, which she loved so much that she created a zoo for them and added rooms for my own exotic magical pets. When she inquired about them, I described how my fae princes had gifted me a magical talking bird named Emerald, who I currently kept in my room at the academy. I expressed to Mama my wish to keep her in the house, not in the zoo, along with my pet phoenix from Firo. I also mentioned how Drago had brought me a baby wyvern, which would need a large room as it grew. Mom reassured me that it would be taken care of. Then, I mentioned my Cerberus puppy from Judas, who also required a large, fireproof room, and I spoke of Tiberius' baby kraken, saying it could live in the ocean and didn't need a zoo.

My mom then cut the phone call and assured me that she would prepare everything, so I didn't need to worry. I went towards the stable and greeted my horse, explaining that she now had new friends living beside her. All three of my horses heads turned  in excitement, seemingly looking forward to meeting them. I then took the wyvern to a room, opened the cage, and watched as it flew around, acknowledging its new home. Next, I went to the fireproof room and brought Shadowbean there; it howled and woofed happily as I left it to explore. After that, I took Fawkes upstairs to my dorm room and introduced him to Emerald, who accepted him by preening his feathers with her beak and chirping at him. I asked her to make him feel welcome before I closed the cage doors and then headed off to my next lesson.