SAFBIAN Ch 159

Chapter 159 (Extra 1.3)

Haban regretted momentarily averting his gaze from Dori to read the letter from the palace. Had the white fox not clung to the emperor’s precious trouser leg, it would have been an innocent tree felled by the axe.

Still, Dori did not cause accidents all the time.

The white fox curled his fluffy tail and napped in a narrow corner of the porch basking in sunlight, immediately attracting the gazes of passing palace attendants and guards around the house.

Growing displeased, Haban tiptoed over to gently pat the fox’s rump. Startled, the fox leapt and turned around.

‘Kang! Kaang, Kyawung!’

Realizing the intrusive touch was from Haban, the fox barked sharply in protest yet comforted, and struck the porch with his front paws. Haban’s dark eyes looked down at the small fox’s paws.

The porch was periodically polished with perilla oil, making it smooth. Half of the fox’s paw was covered with fur, so he would not be pricked by thorns.

Still, Haban’s sharp gaze scanned the floor, while his palm patted in place of the pounding paws to ensure no scabs or abrasions had formed.

‘Kkuku.’

The glossy white furred fox lifted his black nose and held his head high. Then, naturally, he climbed onto Haban’s lap as if it were his rightful throne.

Haban tenderly stroked the soft fox fur. Small, ordinary moments they shared—things he could not do in his previous life—were comforting and precious.

All their time was like this.

‘So much so, I hardly noticed the season change.’

Beyond the low fence, skeletal branches dangled a few remaining leaves.

Winter, which seemed slow to arrive, had suddenly come near. Haban must leave before the harsh, cold season in which he lost Dori arrived. This was the reason behind his long-delayed return to the palace.

‘I have taken precautions just in case.’

He could not relax his vigilance; anything could happen. The tighter he tried to keep Dori hidden, the more he felt it slipping like grains of rice through his fingers.

The season was early autumn, and although everything differed from the past, his heart was uneasy and restless.

Perhaps because the same nightmare had repeated for days, with a voice urging him to keep a promise that the time had come.

The impatient footsteps pacing the porch turned away.

With a crash, Haban flung the door open fiercely. Yet after surveying the small room, he saw no sign of Dori.

“Dori!”

“Mm?”

Calling loudly, Dori rubbed his eyes and poked his face from under the thick blankets on the bed. He had been sleeping more than usual and must have fallen asleep again.

Haban sighed and strode in.

“What will you do if you’re still asleep?”

Haaahm.

Unbothered by the gentle rebuke, Dori yawned widely and burrowed back into the mattress, the thick blankets puffed as if sheltering a curled-up body inside.

Haban silently caressed him.

‘This is your last chance. If you repeat the same mistake, we will never meet again.’

The nightmare was the same voice Haban heard clearly just before returning to life.

‘Of all times…’

…the fox god, it was.

But why now? Why dream this as they prepared to return to the palace?

‘The time has come.’

Or so it seemed. Haban kissed Dori’s half-visible rounded forehead outside the blankets lightly.

That day was long ago, in the cold winter.

He had covertly watched through the gate of the small, worn, isolated house.

Had he known the soldiers who came with him to forcibly bring Dori back to the palace included rebels…

Having regretted every day to the brink of death in his previous life, Haban had been prepared to face everything.

“…So you remembered everything from the start?”

Dori’s cheeks twitched.

Haban’s long account was very detailed, jumping from present to past and back again multiple times. It ended with Haban embracing him as he took the arrow.

As Dori pondered the situation piece by piece, his face paled white as if the blood drained away. A chilling insight struck.

Haban had not saved him by chance, but had foreseen the danger that day?

So he ran to die on purpose, even with guards around?

‘I… I tried to survive somehow…’

He had striven to avoid death, to remain here rather than perish as in the original story.

Yet, he had been very disappointed that the ending did not change. He also worried greatly what would happen to Haban left behind after he escaped to reality.

But in truth, Haban was willing to repay his debt with his own death?

Was that really Haban’s best option?

Unable to hold back, Dori stomped the chair and stood. If not for Haban being a patient, he would have argued immediately.

“…I’m going to the room, just for a bit.”

“Dori.”

“You need rest too, Haban. I’ll come back tomorrow, or later.”

The plan to have a friendly conversation from the start was broken. Dori hurried briskly. When told he would be scolded if he followed, Haban paused, covering the blanket and halting his step.

Seeing that, Dori took a deep breath. Why did he behave that way if so…

“…Have Haban come in.”

After speaking thus to Lady Jang and Eunuch Kim waiting outside, Dori quickly left the corridor.

Haa…

His brisk steps slowed only after passing the palace gates.

“…Ugh.”

He pressed his fist against his tearful eyes to hold back crying.

Unexplained tears welled repeatedly, and his nose burned as though from strong spices. Emotions flooded unevenly.

Most distinctly was sadness.

Thus, the empire’s noblest lover had entered a cold war from their very first day as a couple.

The next morning, an attendant arrived early.

Sent by Haban. Dori sat facing the wall, ignoring the visitor. His tightly puffed tail thumped discontentedly.

“Are you really going to avoid seeing His Majesty?”

“Kang!”

Hongi pleaded for Dori, who stubbornly refused.

He had heard that the moment the emperor awoke, Dori never left his side. What was this now? Hongi and Cheongyi exchanged glances, then gently tried to calm the stiff white fox whose fur bristled.

Kangkang!

Dori barked to silence them and turned his head sharply away.

“I suppose I must go.”

Eventually, the news the attendant brought roused Haban, who painfully rose. Yet despite his effort, the fox palace chamber was locked from inside.

Haban knocked.

“Dori.”

“…Kakang?”

The commotion beyond the door suggested Haban had not expected Dori to come personally. Quietly listening, Dori heard Cheongyi’s urgent cry from inside:

“Your Highness! You forgot to bring your clothes!”

“Ah! Right!”

Haban closed his eyes briefly. Barefoot steps pattered jarringly against the floor.

Surely the fox, having shed his disguise, was not running about unclothed?

“…Your Highness, it must have been a mistake.”

“…Quiet.”

Had his expression unintentionally showed? Lady Jang’s carefully supporting words did not dissuade Haban, who slowly rubbed below his brow to compose himself.

Despite already sweating from strain in his neck and back, Haban waited firmly to see the door open.

“Haban? Are you there?”

Dori’s voice finally slipped through the door crack. Haban was relieved but grew somber at what followed.

“How did you get here? You just woke yesterday; shouldn’t you rest?”

“You didn’t come.”

“…Sorry. I thought I had a cold and planned to rest a few days. I’ll go when better.”

“Is it serious? Then call the doctor quickly.”

Dori explained he worried about infecting Haban and that worsening his condition would be grave, urging him to return and rest.

Judging by Dori’s concern, his mood had not changed in a day.

“Anyway, are you going soon, Haban?”

“…Your Highness.”

With no reply, Dori pressed again. Eunuch Kim, waiting beside, added his worry. Haban’s chest rose and fell heavily.

“Yes. Take care of your health. I will come again.”

To avoid hurting Dori’s feelings, Haban withdrew to his quarters. Yet after only a few steps, he froze and turned.

“This won’t do.”

Turning sharply, he strode back.

“Open the door.”

“…Yes?”

“Open it now.”

Where in this palace, ruled by himself as emperor, could he be denied entry?

Seeing Haban’s angry face, Eunuch Kim signaled a nearby attendant.

Meanwhile, transformed into a fox, Dori pressed his ear close to the door, twitching. Hearing Haban’s returning steps, he swiftly climbed the window sill.

Pretending to watch outside, he suddenly heard the door creak open without consent.

“Dori.”

Haban’s voice was weak. The fox’s back shivered.

“Sorry for entering without permission. I sensed you were upset. If so, you need to speak. Didn’t you say we should hide nothing anymore?”

Haban’s words were right.

True, Dori had also hidden that he was possessed by a character in a book. Though he understood mentally that it was to protect himself,

‘…But… even so.’

It was too painful that Haban had tried to die in his place.

Dori’s head drooped sadly. From behind, his shrinking form was clear. Convinced Dori would no longer run, Haban approached slowly.

“You’re not trying to leave, right? Trying never to see me again?”

The anxiety that lived in his heart still entrenched. Haban still could not fully trust Dori.