Maids gossiped as they hung laundry, and servants whispered as they passed through the corridors. Even the nobles began to cautiously speak up.
Surely… that fox couldn’t be a demon, a magical beast, could it?
That couldn’t be. Look at that small, adorable appearance. Pointed ears, round eyes, fluffy tail. It was a fox. Though the fur color was different from ordinary foxes, it was definitely a fox.
Kael knew well what magical beasts looked like. In his childhood, he had gone on several magical beast subjugations following the Emperor. Of course, his swordsmanship skills were terrible, so all he could do was carry luggage and clean up corpses, but thanks to that, he’d had many opportunities to see magical beasts up close.
Every single one of them was horrifying.
A giant wolf with six red eyes, a snake that hung human heads around its neck, a giant centipede that crawled while spewing poisonous smoke from its mouth. Horrifying, disgusting, revolting. They were dreadful creatures whose mere appearance was enough to cause nightmares.
However, the small beast before the Emperor was the complete opposite. Adorable, cute, and lovable.
‘…No, I should retract “lovable.”‘
Kael erased that word from his mind, recalling the image of the fox mercilessly biting his leg. He could acknowledge cuteness, but it absolutely didn’t suit loveliness.
In the end, he nodded as if resigned. Once the Emperor’s will was set, he knew his entreaties would be nothing more than hollow echoes.
“…I will handle it as you command.”
Having shown proper respect to the Emperor, before turning away he gave one last glance at the Emperor’s lap. That small ball of fur sleeping without a care in the world. A peculiar creature that had become more important than the Empire’s fate, more important than the Emperor’s own well-being.
Leaving his complicated feelings behind, Kael quietly closed the door and left.
Entering the reception room, he saw Priest Theodor. He stood beside the tall arched window, looking down at the palace garden. The silver-haired man in modest white vestments appeared both calm and dignified.
Turning his head at the sound of footsteps, Theodor’s gray eyes flickered with puzzlement upon seeing Kael enter alone, unlike usual.
“Sir Kael. Where is His Majesty the Emperor…?”
“Lord Theodor, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I’m afraid today’s scheduled treatment will have to be canceled.”
At those words, Theodor’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Is His Majesty quite unwell?”
“No. Actually… it’s the opposite. His Majesty has said that his insomnia has improved since a few days ago and he no longer needs treatment.”
Theodor was silent. Kael felt uncomfortable under that gaze. The situation of suddenly canceling an appointment with a priest who had traveled a long way was awkward. Especially with a priest being watched as the next Pope.
“Of course, His Majesty expressed deep regret about this sudden cancellation and conveyed his intention to make an additional donation to the temple reconstruction fund.”
A slow, thoughtful smile crossed Theodor’s lips.
“I am always grateful for His Majesty’s generosity.”
Kael was inwardly relieved at the calmer reaction than expected. Other clergy would have complained about whether that was sufficient, but he didn’t show anger, seeming to understand.
“But this is truly astonishing news. For the insomnia that has tormented His Majesty for years to improve so suddenly… it’s truly miraculous.”
“Actually… since it’s only been a few days, it’s too early to definitively say he’s completely recovered. The insomnia might return at any time.”
“Is that so? Then I must pray earnestly that such a thing doesn’t happen.”
Kael was moved by Theodor’s warm smile and words. No other clergy he’d met, not even His Holiness the Pope, had been this favorable toward the imperial family. Indeed, one chosen as a candidate for the next Pope was different.
“However…”
Theodor spoke slowly.
“If it’s not too presumptuous… may I ask when His Majesty began to sleep comfortably?”
“Ah, well, I don’t know the exact time, but I think it was about 3 or 4 days ago.”
“4 days ago…”
How interesting. Could it really be possible for someone who hadn’t slept properly for even two hours a day for years to suddenly fall into deep sleep one day?
“Has there been any particular change in His Majesty’s surroundings recently? For instance, a new item brought into the palace, or a visiting guest. Even the smallest thing would do. As one who has long prayed for his peace, I’d like to know the source of this miracle.”
At those words, that fox flashed through Kael’s mind like lightning.
Everything had begun from the day the Emperor picked up a strange fox at the hunting grounds. A faint smile began to appear on his ice-cold expression, and sleepless nights disappeared. It was difficult to be certain the fox was the cause, but he couldn’t flatly say it wasn’t either.
But he couldn’t bring himself to say it. If he said the Emperor’s chronic insomnia, the Empire’s persistent ailment, had been cured because of a mere beast, he’d obviously be treated like a madman.
“…There was nothing in particular.”
“I see.”
Theodor didn’t pry further. However, his calm gaze seemed to see right through Kael. Kael felt himself breaking into a cold sweat and found himself stammering without realizing it.
“Ah, if we’re… if we’re really splitting hairs, there was one very trivial matter… His Majesty recently took in a pet.”
“A pet?”
Theodor’s eyebrows rose slightly with interest. Adrian Albrecht with a pet? He who found even children bothersome?
“Yes. It appears to be a black fox. He apparently discovered it by chance at the hunting grounds…”
Kael wanted to emphasize that it was ‘just an ordinary fox,’ but the longer he spoke, the more it seemed to sound like an excuse, so he closed his mouth.
“A black fox…”
Theodor murmured quietly. He paused in thought for a moment, then spoke.
“A truly interesting story. That a wild beast brought comfort to His Majesty’s troubled mind—this too may be God’s grace.”
“Haha, well… I wouldn’t say comfort exactly… if anything, His Majesty seems to be suffering more from cleaning up after it. It’s not even a clever creature.”
Kael laughed awkwardly and added unnecessary words.
“All creatures have their own role. I hope that small life remains healthy at His Majesty’s side for a long time.”
Theodor paused and made an expression as if contemplating something.
“If it’s acceptable, may I bestow a small blessing upon that animal? Since it’s a precious life that brings joy to His Majesty, so that it may live long without illness under God’s protection.”
“Pardon?”
Kael raised his voice in surprise. A blessing? For that fox? A divine blessing for a mere beast? Did this man have divine power to spare with nowhere to use it? Or was there some other reason for this?
Kael agonized before carefully speaking.
“Ah, well… I truly appreciate the sentiment, but that creature is extremely wary of strangers. It won’t follow anyone but His Majesty. If it sees you, priest, it will probably hide in fright.”
If only it hides in fright, that would be fortunate. It might bite. Just the thought made Kael feel his blood run cold.
If the fox were to bite the priest, the friendly relations with the temple they’d worked so hard to build would collapse in an instant. Moreover, thinking of the pious nobles who would interfere and cause all sorts of commotion, it was wiser to prevent the two from meeting at all.
“Is that so? How unfortunate.”
Theodor didn’t insist further. Without showing even a hint of disappointment, he nodded with a gentle smile.
“I understand. Then I shall take my leave. However, since there’s no telling when His Majesty’s insomnia might return, I will remain in the capital for a few days. Please also convey that if my help is needed at any time, he should send for me without delay.”
Theodor bowed politely and left the reception room.
Left alone, Kael stood there for a while. What remained after the priest’s departure was an anxiety of unknowable depth.
Was it simple kindness? Or was there something more?
Kael swallowed dryly. Somehow, he was seized by the thought that he had said something irreversible.
***
Several days had passed since the Emperor picked up the fox. The fox’s wound had recovered enough that the bandage could be removed.
The veterinarian treating the fox marveled at the miraculous recovery speed, but that was all. No one questioned this beast’s extraordinary healing ability. Everyone thought it was no wonder it healed quickly since it had been fed the best medicine and the best food in the Empire.
However, it was strange. Though its body was healing, the fox’s energy seemed to drain away day by day.
This was especially true in the mornings. Even when Adrian woke from sleep, finished washing, and changed his clothes, and even when the maids set out breakfast on the table, the fox didn’t move an inch.
