Morning Sunlight, a Fox That Wouldn't Leave, and My Butler's Jealousy
The morning sunlight slipped through the narrow gap in the curtains and tickled my nose.
“Kyaaargh~”
I opened my mouth wide, jaw unhinging as I let out a long, luxurious yawn. The muscles that had been cramped from curling up all night stretched out with a deep, soothing ache.
Suddenly I tried to push myself up and felt something heavy yet soft pressing against my belly.
“Kyuu?”
Huh…? What’s this?
I cracked open one eye and looked down.
A single clump of white fur was squashed flat beneath my stomach.
Oh… right, the fox I picked up yesterday.
The fox was already awake. Its golden eyes darted around curiously, but it showed zero intention of escaping from right under my belly.
Instead, it seemed to treat my heavy stomach like a fluffy blanket, smiling lazily even while being squished. Its tail tickled my thigh in lazy circles.
“Look at this little guy?”
Its presence stuck to my belly like a cute sticker. Its warmth felt almost comforting, and I decided to leave it alone for now.
Then a chilly gaze from beside my head made my body jolt.
“…!”
Kailian.
She was already up, leaning against the headboard of the bed, glaring down at the fox beneath me with murder in her eyes.
Her stare was sharp enough to cut steel.
My butler… is really mad?
The moment our eyes met, Kailian gave her seat a quick pat.
Normally I would be curled up against her chest right now.
“Kyuu~”
I’m sorry, butler…
Kailian looked genuinely angry that I hadn’t stayed with her. The fact that I had brought the fox along made it worse.
‘…Am I going to catch the divine beast with my eyes?’
I felt the atmosphere and slowly sat up. As I did, the fox under me let out an apologetic “kyiing” and puffed its flattened body back into shape.
It looked far more energetic than yesterday, its coat gleaming with fresh sheen.
I greeted it for morning with a groom, grabbing its head between my paws.
“Kyuu.”
You really need to keep yourself tidy. No one likes a dirty fox.
I licked its forehead and behind its ears with my rough tongue, going over every inch carefully. The fox seemed pleased, narrowing its eyes and nuzzling under my chin with soft whimpers.
“YA!!!”
Kailian’s fury exploded the second I started grooming.
“What are you doing right now the moment you wake up!”
She shot upright from the bed, tail flicking.
“I didn’t even look at it when I was waking you! The second you wake you start caring for it? Who comes first, me or it? Huh? I fed you, I put you to bed, I did everything and this is how you repay me?!”
“Kyuu~”
But foxes are supposed to be the ones who are kept…
It was pathetic jealousy. The imperial princess’s dignity… was already basically nonexistent anyway. If I left it like this she would sulk all day and withhold snacks for sure.
I jumped down from the basket and climbed onto the bed, then crawled onto Kailian’s lap with the most sulky expression I could muster.
“Kyuu.”
Butler, forgive me.
I planted my front paw on her chest and gave her cheek a long, slow lick.
Swoosh. Chomp.
Twice as long as the one I’d given the fox, and I soaked her in saliva.
“……!”
Kailian’s stiff face shattered instantly.
“W-why only when I’m being nice to you like this?”
She tried to keep the smile from twitching at the corners, but her eyes were already sparkling. She yanked me into her arms and rubbed my face against her.
“Hmph. I’ll allow it this once. You know I’m your number one, right? That thing is just a bonus.”
She whispered into my ear and shot the fox a victorious glare.
‘…A single fox and she’s jealous and holding back…’
I clicked my tongue internally, but let her hug me obediently.
While Kailian went to freshen up, I busied myself with grooming too. I needed to look presentable when I went to greet the emperor and his ministers.
I licked my front paws clean and wiped my face, then carefully arranged my belly fur.
The fox, however, was completely deflated.
It had probably been feverish yesterday, but now that it was awake the princess’s palace felt enormous and terrifying.
It shrank into the corner of the bed, eyes darting around in fear. Even when a maid picked up the broom to clean, it jumped and tucked its ears, trembling.
Once I finished grooming and stood up, the fox sneaked over and pressed its body against my right hind leg like glue.
It had decided I was its only protector.
‘That’s right, when you’re a newcomer you stick to your guardian.’
“Hey, what are you doing over there.”
Kailian came out of her bath and took one look, eyebrows furrowing.
“Don’t stick to our Blanc. You’ll shed fur. And stop bothering him.”
“Kyuu…”
The fox flinched at her cold tone and hid behind my legs. Its tail tucked between its legs like a scared little thing.
“Kyuu.”
I’ll just eat you. For real.
I sent Kailian a silent “stop” glare, then turned to the trembling fox.
Its pitiful shivering was almost painful to watch.
‘Don’t be scared, little fox. These guys… they’re nice.’
I casually flicked my tail twice against its back, giving it a heavy pat.
Pat. Pat.
“Kyeng!”
The warm, heavy comfort seemed to settle it. It cautiously wrapped its tail around mine.
“Ha… seriously…”
Kailian pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed.
The first stray fox that came along already started seducing Blanc.
It was time to meet the emperor.
Kailian rose and headed for the door. Naturally, I followed, and of course the fox stuck to my leg the whole way.
“Wait.”
Kailian stopped in the hallway and turned back.
“You. Don’t follow. Wait here.”
She growled the order at the fox.
“The audience with Her Majesty is not a place for unvetted beasts like you. Stay quiet right here. The maids will feed you.”
But the fox stubbornly refused to move, stuck to my leg like it would die if we separated.
“Seriously, it won’t listen? Head maid! Grab it and put it somewhere!”
“Kyuu.”
Beasts don’t understand human words anyway, so they get anxious.
Kailian was about to call for the maid when the fox, terrified, grabbed my leg with its front paws.
I stepped in front of Kailian.
“Kyuu.”
Just take me with you.
“Blanc? No. Her Majesty might be in the middle of work and could be irritable…”
Irritable, my foot. The man who ordered me treated yesterday is her grandfather. And with just me around, everything’s fine.
I planted my feet right in front of her. If I left this fox alone in a strange place it might panic and cause an accident. Better to keep it where I can see it.
Kailian’s lips puffed out.
“You keep defending it? I’m really jealous? You’re leaving it too, huh.”
She turned her head away in a dramatic huff.
There was one perfect way to soothe a jealous butler.
I leaned against her leg, rubbing my head against her.
Rub. Rub.
My soft fur brushed her dress hem and shins, my warm body heat pouring into her.
“Uuuu~”
Kailian’s expression cracked. She kept saying “no, don’t cross” with her mouth, but her hands were already reaching for me.
“Tch… fine. But when we go, I’ll carry you. And it has to walk.”
She scooped me up and hugged me tight to her chest.
“Kyeng…!”
She glanced at the fox left on the floor and smiled victoriously, flexing her arms to show it off.
“See? Blanc loves my lap more. You walk.”
“Kyuu~”
That tiny fox won? Whatever.
I looked down from Kailian’s arms. The fox looked startled for a second, then quickly read the situation, thumping its tail against the floor as it trotted after us.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Thank goodness it wasn’t limping.
A short while later we reached the door of the Emperor’s Office.
The moment we stepped inside, the emperor greeted us with a small smile.
“You’re here. Did you both sleep well?”
Emperor Carchion sat surrounded by mountains of documents. He looked like he didn’t have time to play long with us because of the urgent northern border reports.
“Sorry. I got a sudden report from the northern border and had to send you away without more than a glance.”
He ruffled my head gently, then noticed the fox peeking out from behind me.
“Hmm… this little one follows well too. Blanc seems to have chosen a reliable one.”
He carefully lifted the fox. It showed no resistance, terrified of the emperor.
“Kyeng.”
“…Indeed. Stay safe and sound.”
The emperor looked at it carefully, set it down, and returned to his work.
We finished the brief greeting and moved to breakfast.
As soon as we arrived, a lavish morning meal was laid out.
My special table was filled with various meats and a steaming high-grade steak.
I glanced sideways. The chef, watching Kailian, moved the fox’s bowl out of my reach.
“Here, little one. Eat over there.”
The maid guided the fox to the corner.
But the fox sniffed its bowl once, looked at me, then back at the bowl.
Nose twitching.
It grabbed the edge of the bowl with its mouth and started crawling toward me.
It dragged the bowl over with whines and finally set it right next to my table, then stuck its body against my side and began eating.
Slurp. Crunch.
“…!”
Kailian’s fork froze at the sight.
‘…Butler… murderous intent…’
The fox was sticking close to me, watching my every move as it chewed meat with fierce concentration. It wanted to eat with me too.
‘As expected, everyone around me is needy.’
I stopped eating, raised my paw, and gave the fox’s head a light pat.
Good. Eat a lot.
The fox bumped its cheek against my paw while it ate, then stole a sneaky glance at Kailian.
Our eyes met.
The fox stuck out its tongue and licked under my chin once, as if declaring “This tiger is mine,” then returned to eating primly.
“Kyuu~”
Hey, don’t do that… you’ll die for real.
“Ha… that fox just tail-whipped our Blanc, right? Head maid, my eyes are playing tricks, aren’t they?”
Aura Blade formed on Kailian’s knife.
“Kyuu!”
Hey, calm down! It doesn’t understand!
