That evening, the Chaos Meter dropped to about 70 percent. It meant that somewhere was starting to hurt.
What symptoms would appear varied each time. And this time, it was a sticky headache. The inside of my head throbbed so much that even my eyes ached.
‘How annoying.’
I turned the pages of documents with a deeply furrowed brow.
If there was one fortunate thing, it was that after repeatedly going through this chaos periodically, I’d become accustomed to the pain.
After finishing all the piled-up work while pressing my fingertips firmly against my temples and brow bones, I finally caught my breath and picked up the materials I’d set aside separately.
“Let’s see…”
My hand stopped abruptly on the first page.
“Foxes are canines?”
Well, looking at how it was shaped, that did seem to make sense. The way it followed people around too.
Still, it was a bit unexpected that it wasn’t a feline. It jumped around here and there quite well. Moreover, when it tried to act cute, it would wag its tail gently, and if I stood still, it would approach and rub its body against me before leaving. Furthermore, when I petted it at lunchtime, it even made a purring sound. Do dogs do that too?
The only thing I’d ever raised was a person, so there was no way I’d know. I tilted my head and turned the pages.
Several species of foxes lived in the Felwood Empire.
The orange plains fox frequently found in the central region, with black-tipped tail and ears. The desert fox inhabiting the southern desert areas. Even the gray fox that traveled in packs in the eastern mountains—they were all categorized and organized.
But.
“It’s not here.”
No matter how much I turned the pages, there was no record of a fox with snow-white fur.
The foxes from other regions drawn in detailed illustrations seemed more distant from that creature currently wandering somewhere in this castle than an eighth cousin.
Feeling puzzled, I forgot about pressing my temples and pondered deeply. A northern fox with white fur living in cold regions—well, there should be at least one line of record about that. Why isn’t there?
Could it be that foxes don’t live here?
That couldn’t be. Then what, did that thing sprout from the snowfield?
‘It could be a magical beast, though.’
Who should I ask about this? The knowledgeable Albert? Or Knight Commander Wieg, who came from a family that had lived here for generations?
Actually, it wasn’t really something I needed to ponder.
“I’ll just ask both of them.”
What’s good about power? Let’s make good use of it at times like this.
Anyway, asking about northern foxes would be tomorrow’s task. It was already late at night today.
I closed the materials with a snap, got up, and stretched thoroughly. I hadn’t noticed while concentrating on work all day, but the sound of the snow wind coming from the window was quite fierce.
“Indeed…”
Even though I was wrapped in a thick blanket, I could feel the cold air, so the North was truly the North.
Fortunately, no matter how much this was the coldest land in the empire, a place with long winters, it was ultimately still a place where people lived. If it’s cold, I could just layer up one more piece of clothing, and if I diligently burn firewood a bit more, I thought it would be bearable.
But just because I felt that way didn’t mean everyone would feel the same.
“Mm.”
I was made of tough stock who could sleep soundly even lying sprawled in a training hall when things went south, but not everyone was that hardy. It would be different for someone who lacked experience dealing with the cold or was young.
My steps heading from the office to the bedroom stopped abruptly.
“…Was he sniffling a bit during dinner?”
According to the mage, my condition could be unstable for a while, so I should be careful. Time was needed to adapt to operating magical power, and during that time, I might overexert myself without realizing it, so those around me should watch carefully.
After pondering, I passed by the bedroom. If it were up to my heart, I’d want to go in right away, lie down on the fluffy bed, and give this feeble body a sweet rest.
I truly wanted to do that so badly…
‘I’m just checking, that’s all.’
Strictly speaking, this was my duty. I was the master of this castle, the half-brother of the boy who would be staying in the room at the end of this corridor, and in any case, I was also an adult in the position of a guardian.
So I’m just trying to check if he’s doing well. It’s not like I’m looking after him meticulously, or suddenly feeling concerned and fussing over whether to care for him or not.
Absolutely not.
“It’s me.”
After cautiously knocking on the door, I clasped my hands behind my back and cleared my throat.
“If you’re not asleep yet, may I come in for a moment?”
After a clattering sound, Lenox’s young voice rang out from beyond the door.
“Yes, y-yes… You can come in!”
As soon as I entered, what I saw was Lenox hurriedly picking up items scattered on the floor, and…
“Come down.”
I commanded the ball of fur that had boldly occupied the very center of the bed.
“Where does a beast get off climbing onto, climbing onto a person’s bed?”
The snow-white ears perked up. It was clearly awake and had heard my voice, but it didn’t even acknowledge me.
Lenox, who was hugging an armful of what appeared to be magic lesson materials, asked.
“Can’t I let it sleep on the bed, Hyungnim?”
“Would that be acceptable?”
Even if it had occupied a corner of the bed, I would have stopped it, yet here it was boldly occupying the very center. This was utterly unreasonable.
“People on the bed, beasts on the floor.”
“…”
“Even if you stare at me like that, no. People on the bed, beasts on the floor.”
It wasn’t because I looked down on beasts or meant they shouldn’t be treated well.
In the original world, the concept of companion animals was common. Not only did they sleep in the same bed, but they were treated like children. I too believed that if you lived together and shared hearts, you could become family beyond species.
But that was the story for when they became family.
Even though that thing had behaved docilely for two days without attacking anyone, right now it was just an unfamiliar beast of unknown identity. A wild beast with sharp fangs and claws. No.
‘It could even be a magical beast.’
The combination of an animal I hadn’t fully figured out yet and a ten-year-old child was too dangerous.
“Allowing it in the room is already going way too far. I can’t compromise on this.”
I strode over and grabbed the fox by the scruff of its neck, lifting it up. The thing flattened its ears back and started yelping.
Of course, I had no intention of letting it off just because of that. The kind one was Lenox, not me. I mercilessly set the fox down on the floor.
“I’ll have someone bring something for that thing to sleep on.”
“Hyungnim.”
“Tsk.”
I gave a warning with a stern face, then placed my hand on Lenox’s forehead. I felt a lukewarm body temperature, but not reassured, I repeatedly checked by touching his cheeks and the nape of his neck in turn.
“You’re not cold?”
“No.”
“No coughing either?”
“Noo.”
“No runny nose either?”
“Nooo.”
Seeing my relieved expression, Lenox’s eyes sparkled brightly.
“I’m being good, right? So…”
“Still no.”
What he was going to ask was obvious as day. He was such a compassionate and stubborn child.
“If you don’t listen even after I said no, from tomorrow on I’ll keep that thing locked in a cage.”
As I said that and pointed at the fox, I suddenly felt a gaze from the side. When I turned my head slightly, the fox was looking at me with eyes exactly like Lenox’s. Its black, sparkling eyes like a puppy’s were unnecessarily earnest.
“I’m not just talking about that thing. As long as you’ve decided to stay in the North, there will be more than one or two things to be careful about.”
I advised in a thoroughly serious voice. It might sound like boring nagging to a young child, but it was still something that needed to be heard.
“You must keep this in mind. There’s nothing in this world that you can trust unconditionally.”
Lenox tilted his head.
“Why not? You’re here, Hyungnim.”
“I shouldn’t be an exception either.”
Will the day come when you learn that I was the biggest problem? That the heart that trusts and follows me was, in fact, the biggest mistake you made in <Pavane for a Dead Princess>.
Of course, I was the only one who knew that story. Lenox, who was still just an innocent ten-year-old who hadn’t experienced anything yet, didn’t understand my words and tilted his head the other way.
“But Hyungnim, you’re worrying about me even now. You saved me, gave me a nice room, and came by to check if I was sick before bed…”
“…”
“Hyungnim is someone who helps and takes care of me, not someone who would hurt me or make me sick.”
“A moment is not eternity, you foolish child.”
You’ve cried your heart out because of me more than once or twice, yet you act as if all that never happened.
“Haven’t you been hurt by me before?”
Then Lenox smiled broadly and answered.
“A moment is not eternity, Hyungnim.”
When he returned the words I’d just said right back to me, I was completely at a loss for words. I scratched my cheek and let out a deep sigh.
“…You don’t lose even once. Huh? Not even once. How much are you planning to grow, seriously.”
Though I spoke as if complaining, I actually didn’t dislike it.
Yes. In truth, I hope you live winning at everything. I hope you’re never pushed around or trampled by anyone in this world, including me. I hope you grow into a person strong enough not to lose to any misfortune.
‘You will become that way.’
I believe that. You’re the legacy created by the existence I love most, the one I raised by dedicating my entire life.
“Sweet dreams.”
A bright answer like spring flowers returned to my gruff greeting.
“Good night, Hyungnim!”
