“Grrrrowl…”
A beast-like sound boiling up from deep in its throat flowed out. Its softly curled tail stood stiffly and the fur on its back bristled sharply. It was the maximum hostility that could be expressed with such a tiny body.
That murderous energy was clearly directed at the man. As the fox’s attitude changed in an instant, Adrian raised the corner of his mouth as if he’d discovered an interesting spectacle.
“It seems it doesn’t like you, Kael.”
But that man, Kael, didn’t agree. He didn’t find this situation amusing in the slightest. Was it because of what happened at the hunting competition? The small beast was glaring this way as if ready to bite his scruff at any moment.
The moment he met that fierce gaze, Kael instinctively hunched his shoulders. Having seen magical beasts up close, there was no reason to fear a mere small fox. But as the pain from that moment when the fox’s fangs dug into the back of his hand revived, his body automatically took a defensive stance.
That said, he couldn’t say before His Majesty the Emperor that he couldn’t give his report because he was afraid of that small fox. It was a matter of pride, but also he couldn’t show any more incompetence in this place.
Kael hesitated briefly, then decided to report while keeping as much distance from the fox as possible.
“Kang!”
However, that very moment. The fox charged straight at him as if it had been waiting.
“Aaaaah!”
With a shriek, Kael’s body jumped. Fortunately, it bit not his ankle but the hem of his pants so he wasn’t injured, but it was enough to be startled.
“Grrrr! Keng! Keng!”
The ball of fur that clung to his expensive trouser leg was shaking its head left and right while making what it thought were threatening sounds. Kael couldn’t even shake off the fox and just stamped his feet. After all, he couldn’t kick a beast receiving the Emperor’s favor.
“Your, Your Majesty! Th-this thing…!”
Kael requested help from the Emperor. However, Adrian just watched with interest, his arms crossed.
Not bad. It was quite admirable that a creature barely the size of a fist didn’t fear an opponent dozens of times larger. After appreciating the fox tormenting his aide for a while, Adrian opened his mouth.
“Shh. That’s enough now.”
“Whine?”
The fiercely burning hostility was completely gone. Its blue eyes shook with confusion and bewilderment.
Why…? Why are you stopping me?
As if unable to understand, the fox turned its head to look back at Adrian. Resentment filled its blue orbs. It seemed to be accusing him of taking the bad guy’s side.
“Come here.”
Adrian lightly tapped his knee. Naturally, the fox ignored it. Why should it listen to a human?
“If you come, I’ll give you delicious meat later.”
Perk. Its ears reacted.
The fox wavered between wanting revenge on Kael and Adrian’s temptation, then finally made a dissatisfied sound—whine—and retracted its fangs. Then, like a thoroughly angry child, it walked to Adrian’s feet while tapping the floor with its hind legs.
The fox still just looked up at him from a slightly distant spot, as if to show it was still angry. Though it had come at the mention of meat, separately from that, its anger hadn’t subsided. Eventually, Adrian personally bent his waist and lightly lifted the fox. He carefully placed the fox on his lap.
“Grrowl.”
A sound full of dissatisfaction leaked from the fox’s throat. It seemed to be questioning why he’d stopped it.
“I’ve already given him a thorough scolding, so let go of your anger now. If that guy gets hurt and can’t work, it’ll be troublesome for me.”
What does that have to do with me?
It snorted. At that sight, Adrian clicked his tongue and began gently scratching under its chin.
“For my sake, forgive him just this once. Hm?”
The ball of fur turned its head.
No. Why should I? He tried to kill me.
The fox said so inwardly, but its body was honest. When Adrian’s finger gently scratched under its chin, its body reacted first. I shouldn’t do this. Though it resisted in its heart, before it knew it, its eyes closed and the ears it had pointed sharply also folded back.
It’s a human’s touch, so why does it feel so good?
The fox stretched its chin forward. It was a signal to scratch more. When the Emperor let out a low laugh and scratched from its chin to below its neck, it began accepting that touch as if it were a natural right.
Kael was at a loss for words at the fox’s audacity in treating the Emperor like a personal masseuse. What was even more absurd was that Adrian didn’t mind at all. Rather, the Emperor stroked under the fox’s chin with skillful hand movements, then opened his mouth without even looking at Kael.
“That’s enough for today, so leave.”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t you hear? Get lost.”
“Ah, yes. Your Majesty.”
Kael mechanically bowed to show respect and stepped back. As the threatening presence disappeared, the fox settled completely on Adrian’s lap and enjoyed his touch. His lap was a comfortable nest. Firm yet warm.
Mm. This feels good. Adrian’s hand was now touching its head instead of its chin. The fox, in a good mood, rubbed its body against his knee. Then it casually stretched out its front paw, and an unfamiliar texture touched its toes. Not soft fabric, but something stiff and rough.
What’s this?
What entered the eyes of the fox, which opened them out of curiosity, was white cloth wrapped around Adrian’s left hand. It was the same bandage wrapped around its own paw.
The fox brought its nose tip to it. It smelled of faint herbs and a slight scent of blood. Only then did a forgotten incident flash through the fox’s mind. The sensation of teeth penetrating firm skin. The metallic smell spreading in its mouth.
This was… the hand it had bitten and injured.
The fox’s eyes wavered.
The being who had saved it. Though he had deceived it once, he was the only human who had protected it from danger and even offered warm food. Yet it had left him with an injury.
The fox carefully brought its nose tip to Adrian’s injured hand, then withdrew again. It seemed at a loss for what to do. After repeating such actions several times, the fox raised its head and looked up at Adrian.
“Whiiine, whine…”
The fox lowered its body and folded its ears back while waiting for Adrian’s reaction. It was an instinctive posture of submission learned to survive on the streets. Humans are scary. They hit, chase away, and throw stones. The fox knew all too well how humans reacted to beasts that injured them.
That’s why it was more frightening. In case this human got angry. In case this being who had saved it would eventually change like other humans.
The fox carefully brought its nose to his hand once more. This time it didn’t withdraw. It licked the injured area slightly with its small tongue. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.
The hand that had been stroking its head suddenly stopped. As his touch abruptly ceased, the fox’s body trembled faintly. The fox rolled its eyes while watching Adrian’s reaction.
“It’s okay.”
The words that flowed between his lips were surprisingly warm.
“It’s not your fault. Rather, I’m sorry for startling you.”
The fox’s ears gradually turned forward. It looked up at him as if unable to believe it. He’s not angry? Really?
Despite his words, the fox’s expression didn’t completely relax. It still looked cautious and anxious. As a sign that it was okay, Adrian moved his hand and gently scratched behind its pointed ears with thick, elongated fingers. Sure enough. Eventually, the tension slowly drained from the fox’s body. Its ears relaxed comfortably and the tip of its tail swayed slightly.
This person is different. He doesn’t hit. Even though it injured him, he doesn’t get angry. He doesn’t throw stones or swing a broom. Rather, he worries about it.
Soon, instead of sorry feelings, guilt, and fear, relief and trust slowly accumulated in its two eyes.
The moment Adrian met those transparent and pure eyes, reason somewhere in his head coldly sounded a warning alarm.
Don’t give affection.
This creature is a wild thing. Once its wounds heal, it’s a being that must be returned to nature. If you give affection now, this little one will have a hard time.
His role was simple. Treat this small life, help it recover, and return it to where it originally belonged. Nothing more, nothing less.
Adrian bit his lower lip then released it while slowly trying to withdraw his hand. But when the fox tilted its small head and lightly rubbed its cheek against his palm, all rational judgment wavered in an instant.
Warm warmth. And the unconditional trust contained within.
Adrian’s fingers trembled faintly. Before a being sending pure affection without any calculation, his heart, which had been like an iron fortress, shook helplessly.
The small fox, who couldn’t possibly know Adrian’s complicated feelings, continued rubbing its face against his palm, absorbed in expressing affection. It was pure gratitude toward the one who had forgiven its mistake.
In the end, Adrian quietly laughed as if he couldn’t help it and just left it be.
‘This much should… be okay.’
While thinking such complacent thoughts.
