SAFBIAN Ch 62

Chapter 62

The fox, who had been lapping up the tea with its tongue, slowly crept backward. The way it licked its lips signaled that it had finished.

“Tell them to bring it.”

Haban had the table cleared and reached out to pull the fox’s tiny front paw as it sat, idly rolling its eyes.

“Eep!”

The fox, whose rump had been firmly planted, was dragged forward.

He had told it to move so something could be placed there, but the fox, the moment its paw was released, quickly hid it under its belly and sent a resentful look.

Absurd and bewildered, Haban chuckled as he began to stroke the fox’s ears and back repeatedly. Before long, court maids came and placed three trays lined with red cloth on the table.

The sulking fox brightened up, tail wagging.

“Yours, the one Jipyeong took, will be brought soon. For now, if you see one you like better among these, choose it.”

‘…Can’t I just have them all?’

How could anyone possibly choose when they were all so pretty?

Just as greedy for pretty things as for food, Dori began circling the trays.

The jade was flawless. Necklaces made from stringing together identical jade beads glowed with an exceptional luster.

Clink.

When Dori lifted a paw and gave them a gentle push, the smooth jade pieces clinked together with a clear sound. He was about to sweep them the other way but froze under a sharp gaze.

‘What if those expensive things break?!’

Haewon was glaring.

So Dori stretched out his neck as if just looking at the others.

“This one seems more fitting for you.”

At that moment, Haban, who had the fox sitting on his lap as they examined the items together, extended his hand and picked up a ring adorned with a striking red gem.

It was a pointed earring, and the moment Dori saw it, his face turned pale.

‘Put that away! That’s the one from the original story that “Dori” wore on his chest!’

Of all things to choose, why that one?

Dori bared his pointed canines and growled. Haban was gently holding the accessory up to the fox’s erect ears.

“You liked everything else, but this you can’t stand, huh? I figured you’d be fussy, but I still thought it would suit you. Why not try to bear with it?”

“Kyah!”

The fox’s demeanor grew increasingly fierce.

When ‘his’ former self liked that accessory and recommended it, the fox had loathed it.

As if to say “Get that away from me,” the closer the hand holding the accessory came, the more it opened its mouth as if ready to bite. Though really, it was nothing more than an adorably bluffing snarl.

Haban had no choice but to pick something else. This time, it was a wide hair ribbon, its golden base embroidered with white thread, resembling the fox’s lovely golden eyes.

Once the fox turned human, he’d have to personally comb and tie its hair. Come to think of it, if the fox turned human, it would need clothes too.

‘But it’s impossible to make clothes for it while it’s still in fox form.’

Meanwhile, the excited fox was completely absorbed in admiring the accessories.

‘I suppose I should send a similarly built court lady to take rough measurements for now.’

Haban, planning to prepare a few ready-made outfits before having new ones tailored once the fox transformed, summoned Chamberlain Kim.

At the northern end of the imperial palace stood a magnificent hall where sunlight did not reach but wind passed through freely. It housed the empire’s historical records, portraits of former emperors, and countless books of knowledge.

However, Haban had collected his favorite books separately and set up a private study within the emperor’s residence, distinct from the official office. He disliked wasting time having courtiers fetch a mere few volumes and waiting around.

Sometimes, when he wanted to spend time alone, he would come here to calm his mind, browsing the books packed tightly into the shelves.

Due to the sensitivity of the materials, the study was located in a sun-shielded building. If one angled the window just right, it allowed a view outward from within, but it wasn’t visible from the fox’s quarters.

After a long wait, the pure white fox finally crept out from its room.

“…As if it could really fool me.”

Seeing this, Haban muttered with irritation in his voice. But his eyes watching the fox were full of affection.

“Running out all of a sudden, and now crawling around like that. It’s hot too.”

Haban was seated at the table by the window, observing through a window cracked open just a hand’s width.

“That creature smiles at just anyone again.”

“…”

“Isn’t that right, Chamberlain Kim?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty. But, are you not hot?”

“I’m fine. Leave it be.”

The days were growing warmer, and breezes were scarce. Chamberlain Kim, who had been about to push the window open further, stepped back.

Seo Hon, seated behind Haban in place of the bodyguard captain tasked with guarding the chancellor by imperial order, briefly met Chamberlain Kim’s gaze and shook his head.

“The sentries are properly stationed, I hope.”

“Yes. I’ve assigned three guards to each door and building, instructing them to remain in place until the next shift.”

The fox may not know it, but normally, soldiers don’t stand guard inside the imperial palace except in designated areas. Those stationed now were there solely to monitor the fox.

“When the fox is focused on something, it often forgets to listen, but it’s usually very sensitive to presence. Be careful not to be noticed, and do not lose sight of it.”

“We’re trailing from the furthest possible distance.”

“If anything suspicious occurs, report to me immediately.”

The fox moved as if its belly might brush the ground, creeping along. Its ears were flattened, and its tail curled under—clearly frightened.

Watching the fox peeking out from the building wall with just its eyes, Haban imagined the face of his ‘beloved’ before him.

The fox, pressed closely against the building wall, cautiously peeked its head out. Its golden eyes, glossy and bright, narrowed vertically as it watched court maids walk by gracefully.

‘Am I really allowed to wander around?’

Taking advantage of the brief moment when Haban had stepped away and before Haewon arrived, Dori had snuck outside and was now hiding in the shadow of the adjacent building. Seeing no one rushing out to search for the missing fox, it really did seem like it was okay to roam freely.

Dori slowly crawled out into the courtyard.

‘No one’s paying attention at all.’

It was nice not being the center of attention, but he had no idea where to go. For a while, Dori stood in the courtyard, frozen in place.

Several buildings stood enclosed within tall walls, with court maids hurrying to and fro. Occasionally, those who made eye contact with the fox would flinch and quicken their steps.

Dori scratched his nose with a front paw.

‘Why does everyone look so startled when they see me?’

He didn’t realize it, but he was a rare white fox the emperor carried around, like something too precious to even let touch the ground.

If he were accidentally stepped on and injured, it would be a disaster. So the court maids, treating him like a dangerous being, made a wide berth around wherever he sat.

Unaware of this fear, Dori tilted his head.

‘It feels like I’ve become a ghost or something.’

If only he could spot one of the soldiers who had gone to the altar with him. Dori finally shook his tail and stood up.

‘First, I’ll try leaving through the gate.’

The gate separating the emperor’s residence from the rest of the palace had been left wide open. It was proof of Haban’s permission to roam freely.

There were soldiers stationed on either side of the red-painted gate, but they paid no attention to the fox, who raised a paw and hesitated as if about to step out.

‘Alright, then…’

Dori hopped over the threshold and looked around cautiously.

‘Oh!’

No one stopped him at all.

Still unsure, Dori stood there for a while, only beginning to move once he noticed the annoyed stares of the court maids he was blocking.

Looking around.

Now that he was outside, everything felt new and a little frightening. Everyone passing by looked like a stranger.

As he walked along the wall, Dori saw soldiers with swords and spears and instinctively wagged his tail.

‘Are those the ones?’

He wondered if they might be among the soldiers who had accompanied him to the altar. But he couldn’t bring himself to approach, and as he watched from a distance, the soldiers passed by busily. An odd feeling of disappointment crept in.

Just then, one soldier waved with a friendly gesture.

“Hey, it’s you!”

It was the soldier who had said goodbye last time, telling him they’d meet again.

Dori hesitated, then trotted over. As if waiting for him to approach, the soldier bent down slightly and stroked the fox under its chin.

The sensation of fingers brushing through the thick fur gave Dori chills—it felt completely different from Haban’s touch.

“Aren’t foxes supposed to like this? My dog at home rolls over with joy when I do this.”

When Dori flinched away, the soldier pulled back, looking a little disappointed. Still, meeting a familiar face lifted Dori’s mood, and his nose twitched slightly.

‘But where should I go?’

Not knowing the layout was frustrating. There weren’t even signs, so all he could do was wander aimlessly.

And although no one had harassed him like in the original story, Dori still found himself avoiding the soldiers and maids.

Gradually, he headed toward a less populated area.

His careful steps grew lighter. His ears fluttered with each bounce of his fur, and his fluffy tail looked like a second playful little fox.

Just as Dori had finally gathered the courage to run and took off—

“There you are again.”

“Kyahhh!”

Startled by the sudden voice, he let out a scream-like cry and jumped back.

“Don’t move. Stay right there—I’ll be over in a moment.”

‘…Yungak?’

Pink, cotton candy-colored hair. Gentle eyes and pouty lips. It was Yungak, Haban’s younger brother and a known drunkard.

‘Isn’t he the emperor’s brother…? And he’s jumping over the wall like that?’

Last time he had gotten drunk and caused a scene, and now here he was, casually leaping over the palace wall.

Yungak landed lightly and dusted off the dirt on his clothes.

“At first, I thought I was seeing things. What are you doing here, fox? There’s no way my brother let you out… Hm. Don’t tell me—you ran away?”

With a pleased smile, he looked down at Dori, who instinctively glanced around in alarm.