Chapter 132

The next day, the house was bustling both inside and out.

Several of the guards headed for the mountain, while the others inspected the area around the residence, all in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.

Right after breakfast, Dori hopped onto the bed, swishing his tail lightly, his head turning this way and that to follow each person who came and went.

Perhaps because he had been driven to tears by Haban’s relentless teasing the previous night, he had been promised an extended outing today. That promise had everyone busy from early morning, and Dori found even the commotion and anticipation pleasant.

Jipyeong came in carrying a tray piled high with scrolls, just as he had the day before, and a guard whose face Dori only vaguely recognized came in at someone’s summons, then left again. A couple of young eunuchs in plain robes hurried past in small, quick steps.

Just when the number of times the door opened and closed began to dwindle, the work on Haban’s end seemed to be wrapping up—there were only a few memorials11 left on the tray. The noise outside, too, had settled.

Dori rested his chin on a soft pillow and lay on his stomach.

At last, Jipyeong passed by quickly, carrying only the memorials Haban had selected on his tray. Clack! The sound of the door shutting in haste rang out a little louder than usual, drawing Dori’s gaze in spite of himself.

“Your eyes are wandering again.”

Huh?

“I told you not to turn your gaze toward others.”

No, that’s only because I heard the noise!

Haban had said that if he got distracted, today’s outing would be canceled. Pretending as though he had never done such a thing, Dori promptly sat up and flicked his ears with his hind leg as if nothing were wrong.

Haban rose from his seat at the desk and approached.

“Kkaang.”

You’re done?

As Haban gathered him into his arms, Dori buried his snout in the man’s collar and rubbed his cheek against him.

“You’re really that happy?”

“Kku-kuu!”

Yes!

What more was there to say? Flattening his ears back, Dori wagged his tail rapidly. The long, fluffy fur struck some part of Haban’s body with little thumps. The black silk fabric of his robe, though not as fine as the ones worn in the Imperial Palace, still bore a high price—and now it was flecked with white fur.

Not caring about such trivial things, Haban’s lips brushed fleetingly against the spot between Dori’s brows before pulling away.

“Kiiing…”

Warmth lingered even on the black bridge of his nose, and as the hand scratching under his chin drifted lower toward his chest, Dori swatted the back of that hand with a firm forepaw.

“Kang…”

But when told to stop, Haban instead cupped his entire belly with a broad palm. Pressing against his solid forearm with his front paws and kicking with his hind legs, Dori wriggled free from his embrace, then burrowed into the blankets. Poof! In an instant, he transformed into human form, sticking out only his flushed face. His skill at quickly wrapping the blankets around himself to keep any private parts from showing was quite practiced.

“Haban, when are we going out?”

“Preparations should be almost done, so we’ll leave soon.”

As if reluctant to let go of the now-empty embrace, Haban tugged on Dori’s nose before releasing it. Though it didn’t hurt much, Dori acted exaggeratedly pained, scooting back to sit on his rear.

“I overheard outside earlier—sounds like the chestnuts in the mountains are nicely ripe. Let’s go gather some, so we can steam and roast them.”

“All you think about is eating.”

“It’s the right season.”

In truth, he planned to give all the gathered chestnuts to Haban, who looked tired from a restless night after having nightmares. But that part, he kept secret. After all, they said weight gained from chestnuts never comes off.

“I’ll be right back.”

Haban patted Dori once, then stepped outside. His voice could be heard giving various instructions to others.

Perfect!

Sitting on the bed, swinging his legs in excitement, Dori’s expression suddenly fell. He’d remembered something he had forgotten.

The leaves had begun to fall one by one—how nice it would be to walk hand in hand with Haban. But whenever they went outside, he still had to be in his fox form.

Haban had given him fine clothes, pretty shoes, and expensive ornaments—yet he couldn’t use them!

Gazing wistfully at the large display cabinet in one corner of the room, Dori transformed back into his fox form before it got too late. The white-furred fox emerged from the blankets and shook from head to tail, fluffing his fur until loose tufts drifted into the air.

In truth, everyone—from Haban’s guards to the household—had already guessed the white fox’s true identity.

On some mornings, half-asleep and unaware he was in human form, he had wandered into the kitchen, and his snow-white skin, molten-gold eyes, and sleek white hair made it easy to imagine a white fox.

Moreover, whenever Dori spent the night with Haban, the guards posted outside could hear everything, and on sunny days, they had even seen him lying boldly with his head on the Emperor’s lap on the veranda.

So in reality, everyone knew—but the only one unaware they knew was Dori himself.

“Shall we go now?”

At that moment, the door swung wide open.

Sunlight first spilled in long across the floor toward the fox on the bed, as though to seize him, but it quickly lost its strength against the broad back blocking its path.

As the figure beyond the light stretched out a hand, his silhouette darkened, then gradually came into focus—seeing Haban, Dori’s vertical pupils widened before he leapt toward him.

“Kang! Kang!”

“Only at times like this are you quick on the uptake.”

A long finger tapped the black bridge of Dori’s upturned nose as he looked up at Haban.

Even now, the presence of not only the guards but also the concealed shadow assassins22 stationed around could be sensed, yet Haban still seemed unwilling to let his guard down.

His eyes briefly flicked toward the leash hanging on the wall, then back. Sensing this, Dori immediately pressed himself against Haban’s feet.

“You promised to be careful, so I’ll trust you.”

Bending down, Haban stroked from Dori’s forehead over the rounded back of his head to the nape of his neck, feeling the soft white fur under his palm. Straightening again, he found Dori still pressed close, ears laid back to better savor the touch.

Before long, Haban and the now-white fox walked side by side along the mountain path.

Rather than visit the nearby village, they usually circled the area around the remote house or hiked into the mountains. Naturally, Jipyeong and the guards accompanied them.

Strangely, though people could sometimes be heard in the village if one listened from inside the house, once Dori passed through the front gate, the roads were always empty. One might expect to encounter someone in the mountains, but it never happened.

The reason was simple: from the moment Dori and Haban left the house, armed soldiers stood watch with sharp eyes, scanning their surroundings. Thus, the village elders stayed well away, and the children obeyed their parents’ instructions not to leave the village.

As a result, walks with Haban always unfolded in a very private atmosphere.

The autumn leaves have deepened already.

“Wow…”

Looking up at the trees, Dori couldn’t stop himself from exclaiming. Not long ago, half the leaves had still been green, but now they were completely gone.

But just like blossoms in full bloom inevitably fall with time, those beautiful leaves would all drop before long. Dori’s mouth fell open, his pink tongue peeking out as he panted.

Deeper into the mountain path, fallen leaves lay in thick piles.

Rustle.

“Kang…”

Startled, the white fox crouched low and instinctively glanced back. The sound had only come from withered grass and fallen leaves under his paws, but his guard had risen without thinking.

Haban looked down at the fox’s white ears, pricked tall and proud before their tips twitched.

From behind, with his back to him, the little creature looked almost as if he meant to shield him. Soon, having confirmed there was nothing amiss, the fox turned forward again, leaving tiny, dainty prints in the ground.

…Oh? That’s…?

Dori’s eyes lit up at the sight of a tree heavy with drooping branches. It bore the same fruit he had often plucked when fleeing and hungry. How nice it would be to share it with Haban—but the Emperor was used to far finer foods, and besides, in his fox form, Dori couldn’t pick them.

Just then, the fruit he had been eyeing suddenly came free—Haban had reached up and plucked it for him.

Whoa!

Being tall, he had even chosen the plump ones hanging high inside the branches.

Haban! Let’s eat it here!

Dori quickly hopped onto a nearby rock and thumped his tail.

Haban split the fruit in half, peeled the skin for easier eating, and brought it right up to his mouth.

The guards, long accustomed to seeing the Emperor personally feed the white fox, simply watched in silence.

“Kang!”

You eat too, Haban!

When he offered the other half, Haban smiled faintly and motioned for him to eat it instead.

“Kang…”

I think it’s delicious. Doesn’t it suit your taste?

Dori finished off the remaining half and leapt lightly from the rock. His perked ears and sleek, swaying tail mirrored his lifted mood.

Watching from behind, the guards murmured among themselves.

“I swear, it’s amazing no matter how often I see it. How can an animal turn into a human…?”

“The Emperor is ahead. Watch your tongue.”

“I still can’t get used to calling him ‘Lord Fox.’”

“Then try running all the way up to the mountaintop and back overnight.”

The guard who had once been punished under that very pretext turned pale. The others, glancing at him, shuddered at the memory of Haban’s terrifying anger.

Meanwhile, ahead of them, the sight of the Emperor and the white fox walking together could not have been more affectionate.

11 Memorials – In imperial contexts, these are formal documents submitted to the emperor by officials, often concerning governance, reports, or petitions.

22 Shadow assassins (살) – An elite covert group skilled in stealth and assassination, tasked with hidden protection or killing; in this context, they are acting as unseen bodyguards.