Chapter 50
Then, suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, and he let out a sigh.
“Luna. I’ve got something to give you later.”
“Kang?”
“So don’t just vanish after you’re done eating. Got it?”
“…Kyeng!”
Daisy, who had just entered with dessert, spoke in surprise at the not-quite-a-conversation between the two.
“It really does seem like she understands Your Highness.”
After clearing the empty dishes and enjoying dessert, Calix briefly stepped out. Lea, still in fox form, finally felt her racing heart calm down.
Even if not in her human form, just being treated warmly by him while like this made her feel like she could breathe again.
She thought to herself that she never wanted to see those cold eyes she remembered from before her regression ever again. And yet, when Calix didn’t return for some time, she grew anxious.
‘What if he’s gotten tired of me even in fox form and left?’
As soon as she stepped down from the table after pacing nervously, Calix returned holding a box.
The moment he spotted Lea on the floor, he rushed over and scooped her up in his arms.
“You were about to run off again, weren’t you?”
“Kang?”
“No. You need to learn that you have an owner now.”
Holding her close, Calix sat down on the sofa. He placed the box beside him and gently wrapped both hands around the fox’s neck.
“Kyaaang!”
“Did I scare you?”
Her amber eyes widened with fear. Seeing her startled, Calix quickly grew flustered and tried to soothe her.
“Shhh. I was just trying to measure your neck. Don’t be scared.”
“Krung…”
Lea let out a low whimper. She’d genuinely thought she was about to be killed—her identity discovered.
Even dreaming of her own death was terrifying and hollow.
Just as that murky memory threatened to swallow her whole, Calix opened the box.
“Hmm…”
What he pulled out was a necklace—its pendant a delicate design of a crescent moon interlocked with a full moon, crafted from gemstones.
“The chain’s a little long… but if I loop it twice, it should fit.”
He placed the fox on his thigh and gently fastened the necklace around her neck. As he’d thought, doubling the chain made it a perfect fit.
“Perfect. Maybe it was meant to be yours all along.”
Calix smiled brightly, clearly pleased. Lea stared up at him with trembling eyes, then looked down at the pendant now hanging around her neck.
“Kang.”
“Yes, it’s yours. I guess I should call it a collar, huh?”
“…Kyang.”
“Now that you’ve got your collar, that means I’m officially your owner. You understand, right?”
“Kang!”
“You’re really smart, my Luna.”
His affectionate tone, as if speaking to a beloved partner, made Lea feel dizzy.
Why are you giving me this, Cal?
Isn’t this a keepsake from the former Empress?
It is, right? That moon design… Mother had a necklace just like it. It must’ve been her favorite.
But this one looks even finer than the one she had. Can I really… have something like this, Cal?
So many questions threatened to spill from her lips, but instead, she let out a long whine.
“Do you like it?”
“Kang, kyang!”
“Whew, I’m glad you do.”
Lea liked seeing Calix smile, but she couldn’t understand why he’d use such a significant necklace as nothing more than a fox’s collar.
The necklace around her neck felt incredibly heavy. She couldn’t sit still, pawing the floor restlessly.
Seeing this, he gently held both of her front paws and said,
“From now on, you’ll stay here, Luna. Your owner is me—Calix sol Cantabria. Understand?”
“…Kaang.”
In that moment, Lea thought she’d be content to live as a fox forever, just to remain by his side.
Calix, finding the fox sitting so quietly on his lap adorable, began playing with her fur. Lea didn’t resist, staying still. Staring only at Calix, she lost track of time.
After he had fallen asleep, she briefly returned to her human form.
“Cal… I’m sorry.”
She didn’t know what had upset him earlier, but as always, she assumed she was the cause. So she channeled all her emotions into guiding him.
While receiving her sincere, apologetic guiding, Calix didn’t wake. He slept peacefully, his expression completely relaxed.
Lea gently held the necklace around her neck as if it were precious, and returned to her fox form before slipping out of the crown prince’s palace.
High in the dark night sky, just like the pendant she wore, a brilliant full moon was shining.
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