Chapter 33
She knew very well that Ilion was a physical-type Esper. Having once been slapped by his thick hands in the past, Lea instinctively bared her teeth.
Even now, he had grabbed her so roughly that it felt like her skin might tear off.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince. There’s nothing here. Could someone have sent the fox to interfere?”
Ilion’s harsh suspicion over a mere animal made Lea struggle to escape. The memory of being tortured by him resurfaced again and tormented her.
Kyang— She cried out weakly, and at that moment, another hand gently supported her hindquarters. That hand carefully took her from Ilion’s grip.
“Do you manhandle noble ladies this way when escorting them too?”
“…Excuse me?”
“What exactly did she do for you to grab her by the neck with those brutish hands?”
“Well… isn’t it suspicious?”
“Tch. Even if enemies are all around, that’s no excuse to take it out on an innocent animal.”
“…My apologies.”
Holding the fox tightly in his arms like he was protecting her from a bear, Calix stepped back.
As soon as the fox was in Calix’s arms, Ilion caught a glimpse of her glaring at him and gave a hollow laugh.
“Your Highness, that fox looks like it’s glaring at me.”
“Goodness, what nonsense. That’s just pathetic, Ilion.”
Lea really had glared at him, but regardless of Ilion’s complaint, she let out a pleased sound at the sensation of being patted.
She was ridiculously happy to be held in his arms.
Cal, I really like you.
She had tried so hard to put her feelings for him away, yet every time, she was drawn right back in so easily.
But that wasn’t the important thing right now. She had to catch a very sensitive animal—it required careful attention.
“Kkung—”
Unable to make loud noises, Lea tugged on Calix’s sleeve with her teeth.
Calix, watching the fox continuously push him toward the small burrow, gave her a puzzled look—until he sensed something strange.
It was a very faint sound, but he heard it clearly. Apparently, so did Ilion.
Just moments ago wearing a sheepish expression, Ilion now quietly drew his sword and stepped in front of Calix.
For all his grumbling, Ilion was still Calix’s only truly loyal childhood friend.
“What could it be? Hopefully not a viper.”
Both were Espers, so it was unlikely a snake would pose any real threat, but the sensation was so unfamiliar and subtle that Calix cautiously activated his power.
Instead of summoning a fierce wind, he manipulated a gentle breeze.
The wind slipped into the small burrow and soon emerged with something in its grasp, crying out in a familiar voice.
Kaang—
Fwoosh—!
As the wind surged out, a glittering creature was lifted into the air, whimpering.
Recognizing the cry, Calix lifted his head in disbelief.
Its silver fur, gleaming in the sunlight like finely polished silver, sparkled beautifully. Though a bit muddied, the luster still shone through.
The silver-furred fox fell to the ground, shivering as it sobbed miserably. It was a situation not much different from earlier, and neither Calix nor Ilion could find words.
Instead, the fox in Calix’s arms gently leapt down and proudly raised her chin.
Her moist nose twitched as if to say, Praise me.
Lea pinned the tail of the fleeing silver fox with her front paw and perked up her ears.
In the past, silver-furred foxes had been highly favored by noble ladies—for a variety of reasons.
To be made into fur, or kept as exotic pets.
Either way, the demand was high, but they were rare and hard to come by.
‘It may be small, but wouldn’t this be enough for Cal to win first place in the hunting tournament?’
Feeling pleased, Lea wagged her tail and gave a small, happy cry.
Calix looked at her in astonishment. He’d been watching her with growing suspicion, but now it seemed clear that his hunch had been right.
As he stared blankly at the fox that was happily pinning the tail of her fellow fox, Ilion muttered in disbelief—and Calix burst into laughter.
“Don’t tell me this fox just sold out its own kind?”
The colors were different, but as Ilion said, they were both foxes. Still, Calix no longer looked at the rare silver fox.
His gaze lingered on the dark brown fox beside it, blending in with the tree trunks nearby.
The brilliant golden eyes, like sunlight pouring through leaves, no longer reminded him of anyone else.
With a wide smile, he praised the fox.
“Well done.”
At his praise, the fox let out a long cry. When he reached out, she rubbed her face against his hand.
And Calix thought—
Maybe… Maybe this fox is someone I can trust.
For some reason, he felt as if he had just grasped the thread of a precious connection.
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