FCHTIB Chapter 21

Railey suddenly hugged the fox tightly.

The combination of the soft fur and the warm body filled her arms with a gentle warmth.

'So small… and light…'

Railey silently muttered a thought to herself, one that would have surely angered Serge if he had known.

She had never raised any animals before, so this was her first time holding a small creature like this.

It felt precious, lovable…

…and instinctively awakened a protective urge, as though this was something she needed to safeguard.

Though she knew in her head that the fox was actually a beastfolk—far more powerful than herself—those feelings still surfaced.

'He smells nice…'

The fox gave off a comforting scent, like freshly dried blankets in the sun, mixed with the smell of trees.

She felt so good, she wanted to just hold him like this and take a nap.

Of course, the 'animal' in her arms wasn’t really an animal—it was her husband.

Railey carefully walked forward, trying not to accidentally drop the fox cub.

“Kiiing…”

Serge felt just as awkward. He couldn’t find a comfortable position and remained a bit stiff.

He had leapt into her arms without thinking, but even he didn’t know exactly why he had done it.

When he saw Railey, about to comfort him and getting bitten on the arm in the process, he felt a pang of regret and yearning. Acting on impulse, he jumped.

To her, it was just a natural reaction toward an animal—but he couldn’t believe he was actually behaving like one.

“Is this uncomfortable? Hmm, how about if I hold you like this?”

Railey adjusted her hold and spoke soothingly.

Serge, without meaning to, buried his nose in her neck.

From her came a scent sweeter and more fragrant than candied flower syrup.

He had always despised his own body for turning into an animal at random.

Not just because it made movement difficult and communication harder—but because all his senses became so sensitive that every little thing felt like suffering.

They said it would get better with age, as he learned to control his senses, but that never brought him any comfort.

Why was I born like this?

Even he was sick of being a beastfolk. So how could his mother have felt any different?

That must be why she betrayed both him and his father.

Still… her scent was so calming, it momentarily wiped away all the bitter and tangled emotions in his heart.

Until now, no pleasant scent had ever brought him comfort while in his fox form—but this time, it was different.

“Feeling better now? Hehe, okay then—let’s go!”

For the first time in his life, his hypersensitivity didn’t feel like pain.

The sweet scent of the young girl, the careful way her arms touched him, her gentle and cheerful voice…

He could accept it all vividly.

And for once, it didn’t feel bad at all.

***

Railey made her way to the glass greenhouse, the place of their scheduled meeting.

The greenhouse was located away from the central garden and featured a majestic artificial waterfall that made it all the more grand.

She had only caught a passing glimpse of it when she was first shown around the estate, but now, standing inside, she was struck by how breathtaking it truly was.

“If you head further in, Miss Parnel Willrose is waiting for you, young madam.”

“Alright, thank you!”

Guided by a servant, Railey adjusted her hold on the little black fox and began walking along the path that ran through the greenhouse.

'If she looks like Yuan, then she must be incredibly beautiful.'

Her older brother Yuan had a delicate, intellectual look to him—so she imagined that his younger sister would have a graceful, perhaps slightly frail appearance.

'I should make sure not to tire her out, especially if she’s not feeling well.'

With those thoughts in mind, Railey continued on her way.

Turning around a large rosebush, she came upon a well-prepared tea table—complete with a teapot and a three-tiered tray of desserts.

Seated there was a woman, presumably Parnel, Yuan’s younger sister.

Parnel noticed Railey’s presence right away and stood up to greet her politely.

“Hello, young madam. I’m Parnel Willrose.”

'…Huh? Wait a minute—'

Railey froze as she looked up at Parnel.

It was because the woman looked nothing like she had imagined.

True, she did resemble Yuan in some ways and was clearly beautiful…

…but everything else was far from what Railey had expected.

Her skin was naturally tanned from the sun, dark and glowing.

Her shoulders were broad and strong, and her arms were visibly toned with firm muscle.

She looked so dignified and sturdy that the dress she wore seemed slightly out of place on her frame.

“H-Hello… I’m Railey Elestine.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you from my brother. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Parnel gave a formal bow—but even as she did, her eyes remained curiously fixed on the black fox in Railey’s arms.

“Ah! This is a fox that sometimes visits the duke’s estate. He doesn’t seem to want to leave my side today, so…”

“Kyeng!”

As if to contradict Railey’s explanation, the fox barked sharply. Parnel’s expression grew even more unreadable.

'She probably… knows the family’s secret too.'

In the Elestine household, loyal retainers had served the family for generations. And someone from the same noble house as Yuan—like Parnel—was unlikely to be an exception.

With the little master, still in his fox form, nestled in the young madam’s arms, it was no wonder Parnel felt unsure how to react.

“Um… Yes, he’s a very handsome fox. I’m glad to see he seems to follow you well.”

“If he’s a bother, should I send him away?”

“No! Not at all—please don’t!”

Not wanting to be misunderstood as someone who had driven out the young master, Parnel quickly waved her hands in denial, flustered.

The black fox glanced briefly at Parnel, then squirmed slightly.

As Railey tilted her head curiously and loosened her arms, the fox sprang to the ground in one fluid motion.

“Kyeng.”

With a soft bark directed at Parnel, the little fox turned and disappeared into the bushes.

It almost felt like a warning—“You’d better not upset my wife.”

Parnel let out a sigh of relief, cold sweat on her brow.

“I guess… he felt a little stifled being held like that.”

“...Yes, I suppose so.”

Still, now that Serge had vanished from sight, Parnel seemed to relax slightly and even smiled faintly.

“It’s truly a pleasure to meet you, young madam. Unlike my brother, I don’t have any formal ties to the duke’s household… So I never thought I’d get the chance to greet you properly. I’m honored you called for me first.”

“I’m glad to meet you, too!”

Even after seeing her appearance, Railey couldn’t help but notice—Parnel’s speech had a distinct air of a soldier, just like her look.

Then again, just because someone had been sick as a child didn’t mean they had to be weak or dainty in appearance.

Feeling a little guilty about her assumptions, Railey asked.

“So, Parnel, are you working somewhere as a knight? Or maybe… a mercenary?”

Parnel blinked for a second, then chuckled.

“Ah, you thought that because I don’t look much like my brother, didn’t you? We really do look completely different, huh?”

“No, not at all! You do resemble Yuan! It’s just… you look really well-trained.”

Yuan had the air of a typical scholar, while Parnel exuded the vibe of a seasoned warrior.

“Hmm… Actually, I’m not working at all.”

“Huh?”

“You could say I’m… unemployed. A full-time homebody. Or, to put it nicely—undergoing bride training.”