It's All Just a Dream
Everything's just a dream.
Waking up in a woman's body out of nowhere, the fox girl who appeared covered in blood, and even the fact that I pissed myself and passed out—all of it has to be a dream.
There's no way something like that could happen in real life, right? Of course it's all a dream.
So...
“Since you've been unconscious for so long, Lady, it's best to move slowly to avoid straining your body. Sudden actions like running aren't good for you.”
“I see... Are there any other precautions I should take?”
“Avoid stimulating foods for meals as well. Stick to porridge or broth for a while. I'll prepare some medicine for you—it should help.”
I shouldn't be hearing a conversation between a doctor with round ears on his head and the fox girl as I wake up from sleep again.
Why is this dream-like nonsense still dragging on? Did I really get possessed into some novel character or what?
I enjoyed reading novels, and sure, I'd sometimes imagine myself as the protagonist, but that doesn't mean I wanted the fantasy to become reality.
No matter how much my life consisted of coming home to an empty apartment after work, leaving YouTube on while shoving food in my mouth, reading a few webnovels, and crashing—there was no need for my entire life to flip upside down like this.
I was just enjoying harmless daydreams, like those internet posts asking 'How far can you go for X amount?'
It wasn't blissfully happy, but I never thought it was miserable either. So why?
“Lady. Are you feeling a bit better?”
An unfamiliar voice called out to me. The constant 'Lady this, Lady that' had been grating on me for a while. I don't know whose body this is, but I'm not that person. I'm a stranger.
Part of me wanted to scream at her to stop calling me that right now, to just vent all my irritation and frustration.
But that massive fox keeps flashing in my mind. Its gleaming eyes staring down at me, jaws gaping wide—it keeps resurfacing, sealing my lips.
In some unknown place, not knowing whose body this is, snapping at them wouldn't do me any favors.
So... let's play for sympathy.
“D-don't come any closer!”
“Lady? What's wrong? Is something hurting...?”
As pitiful as possible.
I raised both arms to cover my head protectively, squeezing out a terrified voice as I scooted back.
I don't know where I am right now, but...
“Where the hell is this place? Who are you people? What do you want with me?”
No matter where you are, amnesia is always a solid excuse. I know nothing. This situation terrifies me. That's all I say.
It's not even acting—I'm genuinely clueless. Just being honest.
It worked; the two in front of me exchanged flustered glances.
“Doctor...”
“It seems her memory isn't intact. I've heard it happens sometimes to those who've been unconscious for a long time.”
This body must have been out cold for quite a while. No wonder my whole body screamed when I first came to. Makes sense it'd hurt like hell.
“Lady. Can you answer my questions?”
I nodded cautiously at the doctor's question. Gotta act cooperative to avoid pissing them off.
His questions were basic: Can you state your age and name? Do you know today's date? How many fingers am I holding up? Simple stuff, mostly.
But I had to shake my head at most of them.
And with each shake, their expressions hardened more.
“It seems you can't recall most of your memories.”
“Lady, really nothing? I'm Hwaya—I've served you since you were little. Lady...”
The fox girl who introduced herself as Hwaya looked on the verge of tears.
They must have spent a long time together, but the name Hwaya rings zero bells for me.
Don't possessions usually trigger the original owner's memories when you hear a name? Like suddenly knowing etiquette you've never learned?
Something should come up so I can at least guess where I've landed. Nothing at all? It's hopeless.
“I'm sorry. Nothing comes to mind.”
“Why are you apologizing, Lady? N-no, I'm sorry. I failed to serve you properly... Right after waking, you had to see me like that...”
Her shoulders trembled finely as she clutched my hand and sobbed. I froze, unsure what to do, just staring at her.
Hwaya quickly wiped her tears, took a steadying breath, composed her face, and offered a faint smile.
“Sniff... I'm sorry, Lady. I made a fool of myself.”
“No, it's fine.”
“Please don't speak so casually... No, never mind. Lady, ask anything you're curious about.”
It seemed like one of those novel tropes where the servant begs to drop the formalities, but Hwaya backpedaled for some reason.
I don't know why, but good. Her bloodied first impression still creeps me out. I'm barely managing to talk as it is.
Still, gotta ask what needs asking.
“Then... who am I?”
Hwaya's ears twitched at my question. Her face stayed neutral, but she looked like she might cry again.
Still, she answered steadily.
“You are the Fox Lady, consort to the lord of Horyeongsan. Lady Ryu Sua.”
“Pardon?”
“The formal wedding hasn't happened yet, but everyone here already acknowledges and serves you as the lord's lady.”
She kept using 'Lady,' so I was braced for it. Braced, but... I hoped for a name with 'Ma' or something, even if forced.
No matter that this body's a woman or whatever status it had—suddenly being someone's wife? Impossible to swallow.
I'm a guy.
Suddenly shoved into a girl's body, but I served in the military! A healthy dude who freezes up at shorts videos turning spicy!
Me, on the verge of marrying some other man? No way I'd just go 'Ah, I see' and roll with it.
“Me... a wife?”
“Yes, Lady. It's unofficial still, but even the royal court recognizes you as the Fox Lady. They've already sent congratulatory gifts.”
If the royals recognize it, doesn't that mean everyone's treating it as fact?
Wedding not happened yet, my ass. I don't know exactly where I've possessed into, but in an Eastern fantasy world, don't they fuss over chastity until the ceremony?
Is this some half-assed romance fantasy novel that just borrows the vibe?!
...Romance fantasy?
“If I'm the Fox Lady...”
The words 'romance fantasy' dredge up patched-together memories from all the novels I've read.
Possession clichés: unfamiliar ceiling, worried servants fretting over the heroine.
Amnesia as a convenient excuse, easily accepted.
If this is a romance fantasy world, then...
“Who am I marrying?”
Who's the male lead?
Only Hwaya and the doctor are here watching over Ryu Sua—the apparent heroine—who just woke up.
No sign of him showing up to shower me with sappy, overbearing lines. That's weird.
They're close enough that her becoming Fox Lady is a done deal, so not that distant.
My question got answered by one line from Hwaya.
“You've already met him.”
Already met? Who?
The people I've encountered since waking: Hwaya, the other fox beastkin holding the beheaded bird, and the doctor...
“Everyone I've met is just those three...”
My mouth, opening to question further, snapped shut.
There was one more... Or was it one?
The lord of Horyeongsan. Obviously wouldn't call his own Fox Lady's body by honorifics.
And among the few I've met, the only one who didn't call me 'Lady.'
The giant fox.
No way. I've only read super normal novels. Never anything where you marry a monster fox.
As I desperately denied the realization...
“You saw the lord in his true form.”
Hwaya's words simply and cruelly confirmed my guess.
The massive monster fox I blindly fled from? That's my husband-to-be.
The guy I trembled before, pissed myself in front of, and collapsed? The male lead.
Guilt started creeping in toward this body's original owner, whom I've never met. And at the same time, I naturally understood why the male lead hadn't come to see me.
Looks like I've possessed into a romance fantasy.