SAFBIAN Ch 101

Chapter 101

Having come to his senses a step too late, Jipyeong chased after Geumhu.

“Why are you bringing up something so important only now?!”

“I said it, didn’t I? That’s what matters. Since our parents are pleased, I doubt it’ll be postponed past this year. Just take it as that.”

“You.”

“What?”

“I’m asking if it’s a marriage you actually want.”

What’s with this guy?

Geumhu had expected to be met with words of congratulations that would stir his gut, but seeing Jipyeong’s hardened expression made him flustered instead.

“What do you mean?”

“If you truly liked the person, you wouldn’t have that look on your face. We haven’t known each other just a year or two—I can read your face well enough to know you’re reluctant. Besides, you’re the type who’d rather die than go along with something you hate, so the one who decided this must be your parents.”

No, it’s because of you.

Geumhu gave a dry chuckle and turned his head.

“I was the one who made the request, so don’t worry. Now fix your expression.”

The fox’s chambers were close. Since His Majesty was inside, the conversation needed to end here. At those words, Jipyeong, though his face showed he had much more to say, reluctantly shut his mouth.

Soon, as they arrived at the door, faint voices could be heard from inside.

Was someone already here?

Geumhu asked the court lady to wait a moment and hesitated.

Who could it be? It wasn’t likely the fox was conversing with anyone.

‘No way—it couldn’t be the princess, right?’

Geumhu furrowed his brow.

If she had been called first and then they were summoned, he wasn’t going to let it slide this time! In that moment, he would cast aside his role as the emperor’s vassal and become the childhood friend who had grown up with Haban.

“Your Majesty, it is Geumhu.”

But then, something strange happened. For some reason, the expected permission to enter did not immediately follow.

Until Geumhu and Jipyeong arrived, Dori remained perfectly still, fearing his attire might become disheveled. But it didn’t take long for him to squirm. The layers of clothing were heavy and stifling.

“Tsk. Come here.”

Haban, who had appeared to be reading a book, set it aside and beckoned him. Dori, wary of what new torment this might be, didn’t approach but stared at him instead.

“Your hair’s a mess.”

“Really?”

Dori raised his hand without thinking. He had tried his best not to move, but it seemed things had fallen out of place over time.

“I’m just going to tidy it for you, come here.”

Letting down his guard, Dori cautiously gathered his robes and approached Haban.

When Haban fixed the sleeve that had flipped earlier, any lingering suspicion melted away completely—unaware that under the pretense of fixing his hair and clothes, Haban was stroking him here and there.

“But… what if those two don’t like me?”

“What does it matter? There’s no need for you to earn their approval.”

Though Haban sounded displeased, Dori was serious.

Everything that had happened so far had followed the plot of the original story.

After possessing this body, he had escaped from the red fox village, met Haban, and was caught by him during his first escape attempt. By the flow of the story, the second escape attempt should come next… but he had no intention of leaving the imperial palace.

Which is why he was uneasy about how the story would move on from here. He feared it might be Jipyeong or Geumhu who would drive him out of the palace.

Unaware of this, Haban held Dori’s hands and looked down at him with a shadowed gaze.

‘Just like before.’

Haban recalled how Dori had paid special attention to Jipyeong. That’s why he had deliberately kept Jipyeong with Geumhu for several days.

Perhaps it was because Jipyeong had been the one to examine Dori when he was first brought to the palace—when Haban had failed to recognize him right away. That thought made Haban’s lips twist in displeasure. He pulled Dori’s arm, trapping him between his knees.

“Haban?”

Startled, Dori was drawn close until Haban sealed his lips with a kiss. He couldn’t rest easy unless Dori’s eyes contained only him.

Haban placed Dori fully in his lap and pressed his lips slowly against the nape of Dori’s neck. He found himself wanting to send orders once more for Jipyeong and Geumhu to stay away—so that he could keep Dori all to himself.

“S-Someone’s coming… They’re here!”

At that moment, Dori turned toward the door. What had begun as faint footsteps gradually grew louder, followed by a familiar voice.

“Your Majesty, it is Geumhu.”

It had to be now—just as Haban was about to open Dori’s collar and grab his flat chest. Haban frowned in clear irritation.

“Let them in. No—wait a moment.”

He pretended not to hear Dori’s urgent voice as his hands continued to wander, but the warmth in his arms quickly fled.

“That’s enough.”

Brushing off the possibility of any remaining wrinkles in his robes, Dori nodded. Yes, with a face so resolved, there was no turning back now.

Putting aside his frustration, Haban returned to the original purpose and called them inside.

“Let them enter.”

As the doors opened, Geumhu entered first.

But upon seeing a pale-haired man seated beside Haban, he stopped in his tracks. Jipyeong, who followed carrying a scroll, also gaped. The doors quietly closed behind them.

“……Who is this man?”

It was Geumhu, having quickly collected himself, who spoke first.

This was the personal residence of the fox, someone the emperor held dear. There was no way just anyone would be allowed in. And the man, adorned from head to toe, was clearly not ordinary.

‘Surely not…’

The emperor had never shown interest in either women or men. Yet here he was, alone with a man in private chambers. The implications shocked Geumhu.

Could it be the fox was merely a cover? And the reason he had arranged a match between Jipyeong and the princess of Jin Kingdom was perhaps…

“…Hello.”

“Yes.”

The man greeted them timidly. With his hands folded politely over his stomach and a gentle gaze, he didn’t seem like someone dangerous.

“My name is Dori, um…”

His eyes turned to the emperor for help. Haban watched the scene with amusement.

“Wouldn’t it be better to explain this to us as well, Your Majesty?”

“What explanation do you mean?”

“Are you making fun of me?”

Already tired and now summoned again, Geumhu flared up. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Dori grew flustered and shrank behind Haban. It was an act that reminded Geumhu of the fox.

“Then again, it seems the white fox who owns this palace is nowhere to be found.”

“He hasn’t taken a step outside since before you arrived.”

“Must be hiding somewhere, then.”

“Isn’t that because you frightened him?”

“…Excuse me?”

Sure that he was being mocked, Geumhu scowled. When he turned to Jipyeong, the latter shook his head with a baffled look.

“Um…”

Just then, Dori took a step forward. As his long robes brushed the floor and he swayed slightly, Haban reached out to steady him.

“I’m the fox.”

“……”

“I’m sorry for deceiving you all this time.”

Geumhu was dumbfounded.

Were Haban and this man conspiring to mock him? When he looked to Jipyeong again, even he seemed more surprised than Geumhu.

“First, please have a seat.”

Haban flipped over the teacups on the table.

Despite being the emperor, he poured the tea himself and pushed the cup toward Dori. Dori calmly took the cup and sipped, as if this was all natural.

Jipyeong and Geumhu, who had left the scroll on the desk, sat down as well—but no tea was offered to them. It was absurd. …No, this was the reality, and they were the ones out of place.

“He’s a beastman. Though he appears human, he can shift into an animal.”

“A beastman, you say? I’ve read about them in books, but there’s no record proving they existed.”

It made sense, and Dori, sensing Geumhu’s skepticism, looked as though he might need to transform. But Haban held up his hand to stop him.

“I didn’t believe it myself until I saw it with my own eyes. But it’s true. Are you doubting my words?”

In an instant, Geumhu and Jipyeong dropped to their knees. Startled, Dori tried to rise as well, but Haban held his arm and pulled him back down.

“Be seated.”

Ordering the two to sit once more, Haban held out his palm to Dori. Without thinking, Dori placed his hand in it, and Haban wrapped it gently and said,

“There’s no need to tremble. If possible, could you show them your ears or your tail?”

Only then did Dori realize he was shaking. He hadn’t even noticed in all the confusion.

“…Just the ears.”

The bushy tail was the pride and glory of a fox. Of course, the long ears were too, but still—

After a short nod, Dori popped!—his ears emerged. Long and white, they stood upright atop his hair. Jipyeong instinctively stood up and tensed.

More composed, Geumhu leaned forward slightly to observe.

“Amazing. They’re exactly like the white fox’s ears.”

“And that’s what you choose to say at a time like this?! Y-Your Majesty! This is a—ow!”

Just as Jipyeong was about to shout “demon,” Geumhu pinched him hard. He dearly wished to kick the man and ask if he was stupid as well as oblivious, but since Jipyeong was standing, he had to settle for using his hand.

Thankfully, Geumhu’s timely intervention kept Haban from getting angry, though clear traces of fury remained on his face.

“My apologies. I acted out of ignorance. How should I address you from now on?”

A man with stunning, mystical features, and Haban, who never once took his eyes off him—Geumhu instantly grasped the nature of their relationship.

“D-Dori.”

Like ripples spreading across a pond, a smile blossomed on the man’s face. His fair skin glowed like milk, and his golden eyes sparkled. Even his pure, childlike personality left no room for dislike.

“I see. Lord Dori. Though belated, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Geumhu, the chancellor.”

Geumhu personally poured tea into a cup and lifted it to his nose. Sweet and fragrant—just like the man before him.

‘So that’s why His Majesty refuses to leave the palace.’

Not honey—but a fox, no, a man—was what he had hidden away.

“I’d like to be friends with you, Lord Dori. Would you allow that?”

“With me…? Uh, sure!”

Dori, who had been nervously using honorifics, returned to his usual speech without thinking once he relaxed. Only Haban and Geumhu noticed the shift.

“Thank you. Then I’ll be sure to visit often.”

And I’ll bring those memorials for His Majesty along with me.

Geumhu’s eyes narrowed. Though unaware of his intentions, Dori’s face lit up with delight. Haban, however, clenched his jaw.

Still, seeing Dori—who had been shut in, unable to speak to anyone until now—so happy, Haban couldn’t bring himself to be angry. He finally relaxed.

“Dori, now that the introductions are over, how about sharing a meal?”

“Can I?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Dori nodded. Jipyeong still seemed wary, but he felt he could grow closer to Geumhu in time.

‘He’s someone Haban truly needs.’

As he tasted the dishes spread across the table one by one, Dori renewed his vow not to leave the palace.

But as always, the original story would inevitably drive Dori out of the palace once again.