SAFBIAN Ch 72

Chapter 72

‘Why would he need bathwater at this hour?’

What is he planning?

Normally, it would be well past bedtime by now. And yet—suddenly, bathwater?

‘Don’t tell me…!’

Dori shuddered. His imagination leapt ahead, conjuring up a scene tangled in bare skin and flesh in an instant.

He saw himself flung onto the bed, as if thrown carelessly, and Haban climbing over him. That frightening gaze boring down on him, the rough hands—then Haban’s mouth grazing his nape as his hands slid down his waist…

Dori nearly lost his senses right there but snapped back to reality just in time.

‘Are you insane? No way I’m doing that!’

First, escape!

“Wait a moment.”

Just then, as Haban was stepping out the door, he called after Chamberlain Kim.

While he instructed the approaching attendant with something further, Dori shook off his blanket, darting out from under it. Nimbly, he jumped off the desk.

Rolling across the floor, Dori bolted to a tucked-away corner of the wide room.

“Phew…”

After dismissing the chamberlain, Haban swept his gaze over the room and easily spotted Dori. Letting out a sigh of annoyance, the fox’s ears twitched upright.

“Come here.”

Suppressing his irritation, his commanding voice was cold.

“Now.”

…Creeaak.

Dori, refusing the repeated summons, pressed tightly against the cabinet, but as if that wasn’t secure enough, tried to squeeze into the narrow gap behind it.

Shake.

“Hey…!”

As the fox forced himself into the cramped space, the vase atop the cabinet wobbled precariously. At the same time, Haban stood.

‘D-Don’t come any closer!’

Abandoning the spot behind the cabinet, Dori darted away again.

He slipped under the table, then beside the bed, and finally to the tightly shut door. The newly furnished room was so spacious there were plenty of corners to hide in.

Desperately fleeing, the fox was pursued by the slowly approaching Haban.

If the fox dashed ahead, Haban would follow leisurely, like a hunter driving a rabbit—no, a fox—into a trap. In the meantime, activity stirred outside.

“Your Majesty, we shall open the door now.”

Chamberlain Kim’s slender voice signaled the bathwater was ready.

‘Open the door? Now?’

Dori, hesitating by the door as he looked for another escape, turned his head—just as Haban, who had been leisurely chasing him, closed the distance in a flash and grabbed the scruff of his neck.

“Kyaeng!”

In Haban’s grip, Dori was quickly bound with soft silk around his limbs and torso, then gently placed on a chair. Then, tied again to the chair, he couldn’t move at all.

“Bring it in.”

The palace attendants from the Fox Court filed in on the Emperor’s command. At the sight of Dori tied up, they flinched, then quickly averted their eyes.

They had feared they’d be executed on the spot. But the only punishment handed down was to prepare bathwater with utmost care—all thanks to that fox returning safely to the Emperor’s side. Upon hearing the reason from Chamberlain Kim, the maids simply wished the fox would remain quiet and still.

A large bathtub, dragged in by bustling attendants, was placed in the center of the room.

Made of thin planks wrapped around in a circle, the tub was large enough to hold not just a fox but an entire human with room to spare.

Still, though they obeyed the Emperor’s order, the attendants tilted their heads in confusion. If it was just to bathe a fox, a smaller tub would’ve sufficed.

Even if the Emperor planned to bathe himself, there were larger and more luxurious bathing chambers available. It was all a mystery.

But then again, curiosity in the palace was a shortcut to an early grave. When the chamberlain set down the water bucket from his shoulders, the maids shook off their musings and quickly set about filling the tub.

Meanwhile, the sound of water trickling down matched the pounding of Dori’s heart.

‘…What do I do?’

He knew exactly why such a large tub was brought in and being filled—it was perfect for two people to get in and tangle their bodies together.

‘…Is he really going to do it? For real?’

Dori, tense, nervously licked his nose.

As he watched, Haban, arms folded over his stomach, closed his eyes.

It had taken a long time to get here. He had worried that he might be the only one to return and had scoured the hunting grounds countless times, never knowing the one he sought was inside the palace all along.

And yet, the fox, who never did anything according to his wishes, had finally stepped into the trap tonight and was caught with nowhere to run.

Caught right in the moment he transformed from human to fox, startled.

‘Perhaps I should’ve captured him a little sooner.’

Even under the moon veiled by clouds, the figure shone brilliantly white. He regretted not even once holding him in his arms.

Still, now that the fox had revealed himself, his wariness would surely fade. He wouldn’t be able to keep pretending to be a fox for long.

Haban opened his eyes, staring heavily at the fox.

But Dori, unaware he was being watched, remained fixated on the bath, anxiety written all over his face.

The water in the tub quickly rose. A young maid, waiting by the corner, cautiously floated a clean bundle of cloth once the tub was half full.

The pouch of fabric drifted, releasing a rich scent of medicinal herbs. Steam rose in thick plumes—the water was hot enough to scald red at the slightest touch. Dori’s recently well-fed and gleaming skin would be stripped right off.

But that wasn’t the concern.

Dori, still bound, wriggled in place, trying to escape.

“Enough.”

Haban rose to his feet.

At his cool command, the maids, who had been alternating buckets to fill the tub, all stepped back silently, retreating with featherlight steps.

‘No! Don’t go! Take me with you!’

Dori looked after them with a pitiful gaze, pleading as if to cling to them, but not a single one looked back.

At last, the final hem of a skirt vanished.

Thud! The door closed without mercy.

Steam billowed, heat surged—and now only Haban and Dori remained.

Dori, now even more anxious, cast furtive glances around.

Haban rolled up his sleeves and stirred the water to check the temperature. Then, with a flick, he shook off the water and wiped his hands on the silk.

Flinch. Dori shrank his toes.

He had indeed felt some relief at seeing a side of Haban that diverged from the original story.

But now, he was paying the price for letting his guard down, blinded by luxury and good food, even while knowing people don’t change so easily. Panic rose in his chest as he frantically searched for a way out. His entire body was bound—only his mouth was free.

Ngh!

Dori bit hard at the knot around his limbs with his snout, tugging fiercely. At the same time, he kicked at the floor. Even if it was pointless, he couldn’t just sit still and walk willingly into the tiger’s jaws.

Meanwhile, Haban began removing his clothes, layer by layer. With every movement of his arms, garments as precious as gold leaf scattered across the floor.

Soon, he was down to a sheer robe.

…Thud.

Dori lost grip on the knot he was biting.

‘W-What is that?!’

It extended impressively, thick and prominent. Even beneath the thin robe, the substantial mass was impossible to ignore. Just the shape alone made it clear—there was no way that was within human proportions.

Life was so unfair.

If you’re that handsome, you should at least be short. Or at least be modestly endowed!

While Dori gaped, mouth agape, Haban strode over and easily untied the silk binding him to the chair, grabbing him by the scruff again.

Water poured from above with a loud splash.

“Ka-Kaang!”

“Hold still. You’re filthy—where do you think you’re going like this? The water would only get dirty.”

‘I never said I was going in! What the hell is Haban—!’

“Tsk. Your paws are pitch black.”

Haban placed the fox into an empty bucket, washing off the dirt, then picked him up and dipped his feet into the bath.

The hot water surged up to his thighs. For Haban, it only reached his chest while sitting, but for the fox, it was far too deep.

Splash, splash.

As Haban bent down to sit, the startled fox kicked his feet, splashing frantically.

‘I-I’m drowning! I really will drown!’

Of course, it was much deeper than when he bathed alone.

Stiff with fear, Dori flailed his hind legs, splashing like he was swimming. Water flew everywhere.

And right onto Haban’s face.

“…”

Though his expression hardened for a moment, Haban only tightened his grip on the struggling fox. As he settled fully into the bath, only Dori’s head peeked out from the water.

‘S-Save me…!’

Was this torture by water? Even if it was how things went in the original story, did he really have to change so suddenly just because he saw him transform?

With his neck submerged and flailing wildly, Dori panicked.

Thrash, thrash!

His feet kept missing the bottom, increasing his fear. Though Haban held him steady with one arm, Dori didn’t trust that support wouldn’t vanish at any moment.

…I don’t want to die!

‘Why does this always happen to me?!’

First, he nearly died from an arrow. Then from starvation. Now, he might drown.

‘…Why every time?!’

If he was going to die anyway, he couldn’t go out like this.

Finally, grinding his teeth, Dori puff! transformed into a human. A huge splash followed as water burst from the tub.

“…”

“…”

But having turned back, Dori—who’d intended to slap Haban at the very least—found he couldn’t even lift a finger.

For some reason, Haban’s expression slowly shifted as their eyes met.

Dori forgot his anger entirely and lowered his head.

“You finally stop being stubborn.”

“…”

Haban grasped Dori’s jaw, lifting his face as he sat on his thigh.

Blink.

With every flutter of those long lashes, the lovely golden eyes disappeared and reappeared.

“…So this is what you looked like.”

Memories and portraits were never quite enough.

Moisture clung to his lashes, trailed down his cheeks, and dropped off his flushed skin. Though his trembling was obvious, Haban welcomed even that. Right now, he was barely holding back the surging desire within him.

Haban gently rubbed the fox’s reddened lips with his thumb, heated by the steam. He wanted to devour those sweet lips right then and there.

If not for Dori’s obvious trembling, he might’ve lost his reason.

With a sigh, Haban released his chin. Instantly, Dori splashed toward the edge of the tub.

But it wasn’t much of a retreat. The tub was only big enough for two adults at most. No matter how sweet the medicinal herbs smelled or how many dried petals floated on the surface, the water was crystal-clear—his entire body beneath the surface fully exposed.

Chest, thighs, the most private parts—everything was visible. Dori curled up his legs and hugged them with his arms.

Then came a soft voice.

“…What is your name?”