SAFBIAN Ch 59

Chapter 59

As usual, Dori half-listened to Geumhu nagging Haban while busy taking in the surroundings.

‘Where is this place?’

The grand building in front of him was majestic. Halls stretched to the left and right, and other structures could be seen beyond them.

After surveying the area with a turn of his head, Dori let out a sleepy yawn, mouth wide open and tongue stretching out.

‘Why does the return trip feel even more exhausting than getting here?’

On the way there, he had taken in the sights and even had time to rest, but on the way back, all he remembered was being jostled around. He must have passed out from exhaustion because he vaguely recalled someone stroking his head while he slept.

Either way, had Haban not carried him out just before getting off the carriage, he might have collapsed with his face buried in the dirt due to his legs giving out.

‘My stomach still feels queasy.’

Dori blinked slowly, his eyes half-lidded in a daze.

“It was nothing.”

“Nothing? I was horrified when I heard the sword was laced with poison!”

“Quiet. Enough talking.”

Haban looked toward Jipyeong. Perhaps fearing he might lose his head if he kept pushing, Jipyeong pulled Geumhu back by the shoulder.

Geumhu, who had been pouring out his worries the moment he saw the Emperor, finally quieted down.

“As you said, this incident has clearly taken a great toll. You must be physically and mentally exhausted, so I will entrust state affairs to the Prime Minister for a few days.”

“……!”

“Also, so that no seditious person may approach the Prime Minister, the Captain of the Guard shall stay by his side.”

“……Y-Your Majesty!”

The Prime Minister, suddenly saddled with responsibility, was left speechless, and the Captain of the Guard, who would now be subject to the Prime Minister’s tantrums, also looked startled. But Haban turned his back, indifferent to it all. He still hadn’t set down the fox in his arms.

Dori lightly hooked his claws into Haban’s robe and watched him walk away. Unable to grab Jipyeong by the hair in front of the court ladies, Geumhu was secretly pinching his arm with all his strength.

‘…Ow. That must hurt.’

Dori flinched, his shoulders twitching. Then, he noticed people nearby stealing glances at him.

“Is that the one Yeohui was talking about? Looks like an ordinary white fox to me.”

“Still. His Majesty took it with a leash when he left, but now it’s back, cradled in his arms.”

Thanks to the fox’s keen hearing, the court ladies’ whispered gossip flowed clearly into his ears.

“If that thing were a person, it’d be like a complete rise in status.”

“Exactly! At minimum, it must have secured a concubine’s position. That fox’s luck is better than ours, I swear.”

“I’m honestly a little jealous. If Yeohui hears this, she’ll definitely throw a fit again.”

“She acted like she was going to become His Majesty’s concubine or something, and then got driven to our side. And yet she still acts like she’s above us… such nonsense.”

“All the more reason to be satisfied. I’d rather serve Fox Mama than see Yeohui receive a hairpin!”

As one said this, others chimed in, “Me too, me too,” agreeing wholeheartedly.

Dori licked his lips with a sour look.

‘I’d rather pass on that offer…’

He had no idea how the conversation had gone this way. It wasn’t the outright hostility that poured out like in the original story, but indifference would’ve been better. His face flushed with heat for no reason.

‘Haban’s concubine, of all things…’

Dori glanced up at Haban.

“What is it.”

His tone was blunt, but his eyes were gentle as they met Dori’s gaze. Dori buried his head into Haban’s chest.

By the time they passed the main hall and reached the inner quarters, the fox in his arms had fallen asleep. The soft body went limp and began to slide down. As Haban adjusted his hold, the fox wriggled a few times, as if uncomfortable, then gave up and found a more stable position.

“Hrmm.”

The fox nuzzled its moist, black nose not into its fluffy tail, but into the opening of Haban’s robe and breathed quietly.

Its closed lashes were neatly lined. Though it was a shame those beautiful golden eyes were hidden, Haban was pleased that the fox could rest so peacefully in his arms.

‘The journey must’ve been rough.’

He had rushed on the return trip, fearing the creature might slip away again outside the palace. If it were just a fox, he’d have bound it by force—but he couldn’t do that to his.

Haban slowed his steps to avoid waking the fox.

It would’ve been easier to park the carriage in front of the Emperor’s palace from the beginning. However, having it stop at the main hall was deliberate—both to show the palace staff that the Emperor was safe, and for the fox.

He needed eyes to keep watch now that his might be wandering the palace freely. Still, the guards following behind found this side of the Emperor unfamiliar.

“Are you not tired, Your Majesty? Perhaps it’s time to entrust the fox to them…”

“No need.”

Haban didn’t even acknowledge the suggestion from Steward Kim, who had hesitantly offered it after watching the Emperor cradle the fox the entire way.

In the end, the fox awoke when they reached the Emperor’s palace.

Some of the soldiers trailing behind came to a halt. They could not step beyond the threshold of the imperial quarters.

Just then, Dori blinked his eyes open.

Realizing he was still in Haban’s arms, he turned his head—one of the soldiers exaggeratedly mouthed words toward him.

Take care.

No sound was heard, but with the fox’s excellent vision, he read the lips one by one.

‘…Me?’

Sleep fled instantly. Dori’s eyes snapped wide open.

See you next time. I’ll bring snacks then.

Another soldier standing nearby silently mouthed as well. They had accompanied him from the altar to here, and now looked regretful to part ways.

‘So it was real…’

Dori scratched his nose with a claw for no reason. It still felt awkward that someone would care enough to say goodbye. So did gestures of fondness like this.

Perhaps because he’d rarely experienced it, just like ‘Dori’, he, too, was vulnerable to kindness. Even a single word of polite praise lifted his mood, and he found people kind to him likable.

So of course, he’d grown attached to those he’d spent time with on the way.

Now that he was trapped by Haban’s command, who knew when he’d see them again? He at least wanted to say goodbye.

But as soon as the heavy wooden door creaked open, Haban stepped across the threshold. One of the soldiers who had been watching him disappear waved subtly downward. Dori reflexively twitched his body in response.

“Your eyes wander too easily.”

But Haban gently pressed a hand against the crown of his head, and the door closed, hiding the soldiers from view.

When they arrived at the fox’s quarters, Dori let out a sigh.

It had been a rare opportunity to leave the palace, but instead of escaping, he had walked right back in. Of course, he was sighing.

Haa.

Really, there was nothing else to do but sigh.

“I heard His Majesty encountered an assassin. Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you? I mean, why were you so stubborn about going all the way out there in the first place?”

Unaware of the full situation, Haewon ran up with a concerned face but immediately launched into a lecture.

As the fox’s exclusive physician, he must have heard about the attack. He checked Dori’s paws one by one, lifting them gently, combing through the fur, inspecting him thoroughly, all while continuing to scold.

“See? You got a cut here. You already have such tiny paws, and your footpads haven’t even toughened up from palace life.”

Dori tolerated it a couple times, but as it dragged on, his gaze turned sharp.

“Kang! Kang!”

I followed him, and that’s how Haban got saved! You don’t even know anything!

He stomped the floor with frustration, venting his indignation.

“Now you know it’s rough outside, huh? From now on, just eat your food and medicine when you’re given them, and stop causing trouble.”

You wait a second!

Dori glanced toward Haban, trying to interrupt Haewon.

The man was sitting leisurely on a chair by the window, sipping tea, as if none of this concerned him. He hadn’t returned to his own quarters but had come straight to the fox’s room. He had to be tired too, yet he chose not to rest. Dori couldn’t figure out why.

He toddled up to Haban.

Hurry up and tell Haewon everything! Wait, no—before that, give me back my bundle!

He had been distracted by the crowds upon reentering the capital, and earlier, he’d forgotten he’d entrusted his bundle to Jipyeong while watching the palace women and the large buildings.

He had only remembered much later and frantically felt around his belly, only to find it missing. Plus, since Haban had ordered Jipyeong to stay with Geumhu, it’d be hard to see him any time soon.

Before the court ladies hovering nearby could stop him, Dori climbed up onto Haban’s thigh with both feet.

Haban, who had been trying to ignore him, finally set his teacup down.

“Sit properly.”

Despite the scolding, the fox stuck out his tongue.

Lick, lick. His warm, soft tongue licked the bracelet on Haban’s wrist. The fox had insisted on tagging along, adorned in trinkets head to toe—there was no way Haban didn’t understand what it meant.

Still, Haban remained annoyed at the fox who had deceived him all this time.

Snowy white hair scattering, those beautiful golden eyes. Smooth skin and luscious red lips.

The human form had only appeared for a moment, but he’d recognized it instantly.

‘So you don’t intend to come clean yourself.’

If his was going to keep hiding the truth, Haban would find a way to reveal it himself. Slowly, he’d lay a trap the fox wouldn’t notice, waiting for the moment he’d walk into it and shed his disguise.

Still, maybe he could drop a hint or two.

“There was someone I once knew… who looked just like you.”