SAFBIAN Ch 74

Chapter 74

Even after morning arrived, the fox’s sleeping quarters were still barely lit. Yet, Dori, who had opened his eyes wide, quietly rolled his golden irises.

Though it made sense he’d fallen asleep after resisting for so long, what he was currently resting his head on was so warm and soft that it was just like…

Dori, who had raised his upper body, was startled. As he had expected, Haban was sleeping beside him.

Because of the sudden movement of the blanket, Haban’s neat forehead slightly furrowed. So Dori quickly covered his mouth with both hands to stifle any noise, then slowly slid his bottom back toward the wall, blinking his eyelashes rapidly.

‘Wh-What? I was definitely leaning on this side!’

When had he rolled over to Haban’s side?

Moreover, it was unmistakably a position where he had used the other’s arm as a pillow.

As he slipped away, a space the size of a person opened up. Dori, without thinking, hurriedly shoved a cushion into that spot. For some reason, it felt like the right thing to do.

‘My clothes…’

Realizing next that he was practically undressed, Dori hastily pulled over the fox-designated blanket to cover himself.

When he was a fox, it had been more than enough to cover him from head to tail, but now that he had turned into a human, it was woefully inadequate to cover his whole body. Still, it was a relief that at least the important parts were hidden.

Just then, as he quietly tried to slip off the bedding, it happened.

“…You’re quite a restless sleeper.”

The moment he heard the sound of the blanket rustling behind him, his body stiffened.

“You never woke before noon when you were a fox. But it seems now that you’re human, you’ve become more industrious.”

“…It wasn’t quite noon.”

It wasn’t like he had to wake at dawn for labor, and as a fox, he had been confined to the room, so he had nothing to do even if he woke early—he slept simply because of that.

This was all Haban’s fault. So, he felt slightly wronged.

“Then what exactly are you doing over there?”

“…Huh?”

Dori quickly retracted the leg he had extended off the bed. It reminded him of how Haban had grabbed his ankle in the bath last night.

“Your answers are becoming slower and slower.”

“…N-No. I just thought since Haban was still asleep, I’d get some water.”

Dori offered a hastily thought-up excuse and curled his toes. In truth, he had been planning to secretly transform into a fox and hide somewhere in the imperial palace, but of course he couldn’t say that honestly.

Haban’s gaze, as though inspecting every inch of his thoughts, felt scorching.

“Stop causing trouble.”

“W-When did I ever!”

“Even just the vases you broke as a fox must number at least three.”

“…”

At that, Dori closed his mouth.

He could still hear Haewon’s shrill voice echoing in his ears, lamenting about the broken inkstones and display cabinets and how expensive they had been. …Surely they weren’t going to make him pay for them now that he was human?

At that moment, Haban, having risen and gotten off the bed ahead of him, walked out past the curtain. When he let the curtain fall again, all Dori could see was a vast expanse of fabric.

‘What the heck?’

Dori pushed away the small fox blanket and instead wrapped himself from head to toe in the large one he and Haban had shared. Perhaps because it belonged to the Emperor, despite its size, it was as light as butterfly wings.

Then, crawling on his knees, he crept toward the edge of the bed. Out of habit, Dori tried to poke his head beneath the curtain but then remembered that he was human.

‘…’

Even though no one had seen, it was still embarrassing.

Dori straightened his back and inserted a single finger between the vertically layered curtains, prying it open ever so slightly.

Then, he saw Haban summoning a palace servant and issuing instructions.

‘What is he doing?’

Several basins of water were brought in, followed by the serving of breakfast at the table.

‘So it was washing water.’

Upon seeing the stacked towels beside the basins, Dori guessed the purpose. Well, he was the Emperor, so it made sense that he wouldn’t start his day by shoveling in food without maintaining his dignity.

‘But why isn’t he letting me out?’

He wasn’t even in fox form—he was human now.

This situation suddenly reminded him of the time he had been hidden behind the curtain, secretly eavesdropping on the conversation between Haewon and Haban.

“Leave.”

Only once all the servants had exited did Haban turn around. Dori withdrew the finger he had wedged between the curtains and quickly pressed himself against the wall again.

Almost simultaneously, Haban drew the curtain open.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Dori’s eyes had turned triangular.

Even when Haban beckoned for him to come out, Dori didn’t budge, so he reached out his arm.

“My clothes?”

Dori dodged his hand and responded. He had noticed that two sets of utensils were laid out on the table. Surely Haban wasn’t suggesting they eat together with him still wrapped in a blanket?

“You look just fine as you are, so why bother?”

Haban had planned to have new clothes made instead of giving him hastily prepared ones. But since Dori kept being so wary, he deliberately lied just to tease him.

As expected, Dori trembled slightly and bit his lip. At that moment, just as Haban was about to admit it was a joke—

Dori, as if to make a statement, transformed into a fox.

“Kyah!”

The barking sound was fierce.

“Kyah! Kyung! Kyung!”

“You’re noisy.”

“Kyah!”

“Enough.”

It was evident that Haban clenched his jaw in frustration, but Dori, completely unfazed, stretched out his body leisurely, let out a long yawn, and began licking his front paws.

“Kkukkkuu!”

His secret of being able to transform had already been discovered, so it didn’t matter what form he was in anymore.

At that moment—

“Foxieee!”

Crash!

The door swung open with a bang, and Haewon, who had just entered, froze in shock upon seeing the Emperor, inhaled sharply, and collapsed forward in a deep bow.

…Tsk tsk.

Dori shook his head.

Having soaked in warm water the night before, the fox’s fur now fluttered gently and elegantly.

『…Thus, with utmost respect, we formally make our request to the Empire.』

After confirming the final line, Geumhu rolled up the paper. While tying it with multicolored thread—denoting that it was foreign correspondence—his face clearly showed how troublesome he found the whole thing.

The letter had been sent in advance from the State of Jin, ahead of the envoys’ imminent arrival.

Although the contents of the letter claimed it was a request to allow the envoy princess to remain in the Empire even after diplomatic negotiations ended, in order to broaden her knowledge, in reality…

‘They’re not even trying to hide that they’re aiming for the empty place beside the Emperor.’

What a joke.

They sang praises about how intelligent and capable their princess was, only to then claim she was still lacking and needed to be educated in the Empire. What a contradiction.

‘Although, it’s not a bad deal for us either.’

The recent growth of the Jin Kingdom had been remarkable. After the incompetent king during the war had died, his brilliant son ascended the throne and implemented several initiatives—one of which was developing mines, leading to the extraction of vast mineral resources.

The quantity of minerals, naturally, led to advancements in weaponry. In return for letting the princess stay, cartloads of those minerals were now being sent to the Empire. That was the reason Geumhu had taken the trouble to read through Jin’s outrageous letter to the very end.

It was indeed a significant issue that the current Emperor had not yet married. Since Haban had neither taken an Empress nor any concubines, the ministers’ petitions never ceased.

‘For now, this will serve nicely to silence them.’

Even just being seen walking side by side with the princess in the palace gardens would dispel the rumors that the Emperor was indifferent to women or incapable of performing as a man.

He had already heard that the princess of Jin possessed both beauty and talent. So, ideally, it would be best if Haban genuinely took a liking to her.

“…Haah. And of course, I’ll be the one to hear all the complaints again.”

“What’s the matter?”

Seeing his expression, Jipyeong asked, but Geumhu simply placed what he was holding onto a silver tray with a cool demeanor. These were the letters and memorials that had been sorted since yesterday, soon to be delivered to Haban.

“Why are you still standing there when I told you to leave?”

“You really want me to go?”

“Don’t make me say it twice. I’m busy, and I’m sick of seeing your face.”

After saying it, Geumhu wondered if he’d gone too far and glanced sideways.

But when he saw Jipyeong yawning widely with his arms folded, it made his irritation boil over again.

“Once I finish reading these, I have to see His Majesty anyway. I’ll tell him right away to get rid of you.”

“Why are you so grumpy this early in the morning?”

“Ugh! Just go away!”

Even as he shouted at Jipyeong, who was rubbing the back of his head, Geumhu didn’t shake off the hand.

As befitted a swordsman, his palms were calloused and scarred. Yet that same hand stroked Geumhu’s head like it was fine silk.

“If you’d just tone down that temper, women would flock to you. You’re just jealous because I was the only one who got a handkerchief from her this morning, right?”

You clueless bastard!

Geumhu slammed the scroll he was about to open down onto the desk with a loud bang.

“Yeah, it looked just lovely. Anyone would think the two of you were lovers or something.”

“…Are you insane?”

Jipyeong recoiled in horror and pulled his hand back. To harbor feelings for a palace servant—how absurd. Everyone in the palace belonged to the Emperor.

“You’re the crazy one, judging by what just slipped out of your own mouth. Should I go tell His Majesty that you’ve fallen for one of his servants?”

Geumhu, suddenly standing up and turning away as if kicking back his chair, was blocked by Jipyeong extending his arm. But since it ended up wrapping around her from behind, Geumhu took a sharp breath, trying to muffle the sound of her rapidly beating heart.

“Okay, okay. I don’t know what made you so mad, but I’m sorry. So, sit down.”

“…Move.”

“His Majesty is currently in the fox quarters. He’s ordered that no one approach until he comes out.”

So the fox had completely bewitched the Emperor.

Geumhu clicked his tongue as he recalled the radiant white fur and those lovely golden eyes.

So while she was buried in work, he was off having a good time with the fox. She was seriously tempted to storm in with the letter from Jin and ruin the mood completely.

“You’ve lost more weight. Muscle’s one thing, but are you even eating properly?”

Jipyeong reached out toward her chest. Since his hand had been there to block her, it was an unintentional gesture.

Smack! Geumhu slapped his arm away and collapsed back into the chair.

“…”

Jipyeong would think nothing of it anyway, so even getting angry was pointless. Geumhu tucked her trembling hands into her sleeves.

“…Shall I have something sweet brought for you?”

Then, Jipyeong asked cautiously.

Of course.

“…How many times do I have to say it? I hate sweets.”

Geumhu replied with a self-mocking smile.