X
Join our Discord server and get release updates for every novel you follow.
Join the Server“Master, no, don’t abandon me—”
The little fox, Pera, now freed from her curse, began to wail uncontrollably, her cries echoing, “Master, no, don’t abandon me—” Su Mu and the others were still reeling from Furei’s earlier declaration.
Su Mu looked at Pera. She retained her miniature size, lying pitifully in Furei’s palm, clinging to her finger and whining.
Furei, completely disregarding Pera’s dramatics, turned her gaze to Su Mu and asked gently, “What do you think, little Mu Mu?”
“This might not be a good idea…”
Su Mu offered a wry smile, clearly indicating his refusal.
He had no ability to control such a cunning and powerful fox.
Furthermore, this particular fox had harbored ill intentions toward him and had even killed him once before.
Su Mu could barely avoid her; how could he possibly keep such a ticking time bomb as a pet?
Of course, setting aside these factors, as someone who was once an otaku, Su Mu found the idea of owning a beast-eared girl pet incredibly tempting.
Seemingly discerning Su Mu’s unspoken concerns, Furei offered reassurance. “Little Mu Mu, if you’re worried about Pera harming you, then you’re overthinking it.”
She rattled the silver chain around Pera’s neck in her left hand, then held up a small key in her right. “This chain is a contract,” she continued.
“Under this contract, Pera will never harm her contracted master, nor will she act against her master’s commands.”
Su Mu glanced at the little fox, whose face was contorted in resentment, but still shook his head. “Forget it, I don’t have the inclination to keep a pet…”
Pera’s anxious heart immediately relaxed.
“There’s even less to worry about then! Little Pera isn’t just any ordinary fox; she’s a pet who can take care of herself, you see.”
Furei coaxed him with a beaming smile.
The little fox’s heart, which had just settled, tightened once more. She felt like crying, yet no tears came.
‘Why does Master sound like a con artist, so desperate to sell me off?’
At that moment, she truly regretted everything. If she were given another chance, she would never have taken it upon herself to test His Highness.
The crucial part was that her attempt to test him hadn’t even succeeded. The more she thought about it, the more she felt she had lost out.
Pera bared her teeth, once again making a defiant display toward Su Mu.
“Snap!”
Furei delivered a sharp slap to her tiny head, instantly subduing the little fox.
Su Mu’s mouth twitched.
He didn’t understand why the Queen was so insistent on placing Pera by his side.
Could it be that Furei harbored suspicions about him as well, and wished to keep an eye on him?
Su Mu ultimately shook his head. “Mother, the main thing is that I don’t have any use for Miss Pera. Her abilities are formidable; it would be best for her to remain by your side, protecting your safety.”
“Oh my~ Is little Mu Mu worried about Mama’s safety? How delightful~”
Furei leaned closer, stroking Su Mu’s head. Then, at close proximity, she met his gaze earnestly. “But, little Mu Mu, trust Mama. There will surely be a time in the future when you will need Pera.”
Su Mu’s heart was touched by the sincerity and concern in Furei’s eyes.
Before he could fully process Furei’s emotions, she pulled away, smiling. “Besides, Mama hasn’t reached a point where she needs others to protect her. Of course, little Mu Mu is an exception, since Mama truly hopes that when little Mu Mu grows up, he’ll protect Mama a little~”
Su Mu lowered his head, a wave of melancholy washing over him.
“Mama…”
He whispered, his voice trembling.
Furei didn’t react, seemingly not having heard him.
Su Mu blinked away his tears, then, with still-reddened eyes, he managed a smile. “Alright.”
“Hooray!”
Furei was as happy as a child. She looked at Pera in her palm and said with a bright smile, “Pera, this is wonderful! Little Mu Mu agreed! From now on, he is your master. You must be obedient, alright?”
The little fox muttered, “Lady Furei, I don’t…”
“Hm?”
Furei opened her eyes, looking directly at Pera.
The little fox immediately fell silent.
“Excellent, Pera agrees too! Good girl, good girl~”
Furei smiled as she stroked Pera’s head, then handed the little fox, still attached to the silver chain, and the key to Su Mu.
Bai Ji and Laura stood at a distance, making no move to interrupt the intimate mother and son, nor to question Queen Furei’s decision.
Laura appeared far more uneasy than when she had first arrived.
From her vantage point, she had clearly seen the little fox tremble in fear when Furei had looked at her.
She couldn’t help but recall what her teacher had once told her—
“Little Laura, remember, it’s fine to be a little mischievous in this palace; I can cover for you. But in front of the Queen, keep your tail tucked and behave yourself.”
“Why, Teacher? Her Majesty seems very kind.”
She had innocently asked a follow-up question.
Laura still remembered her teacher’s terrified expression then, and the final words they spoke:
“No matter how kind a madwoman appears, she is still a madwoman.”
Perhaps Laura hadn’t understood it then, but now, she seemed to comprehend it a little more.
****
After receiving the little fox and the key, Su Mu chatted with Furei for a few more moments.
Calling it ‘chatting’ was misleading; it was mostly Furei unilaterally recounting amusing anecdotes from Su Mu’s childhood, given his amnesia.
For instance, he often wet the bed as a child and would cry every time. But as soon as Furei arrived, he would stop crying and smile.
Another time, he had fought with other noble children and felt wronged. At night, he would secretly sneak into Furei’s bed to confide in her.
Reportedly, he had received many beatings from his father because of this.
Furei laughed continuously as she shared these stories.
Watching the smile on the woman’s face, a deep sense of envy welled up in Su Mu’s heart.
He couldn’t help but wonder why the original body had enjoyed all the good things, while he had to suffer so much pain of death in its stead?
After a brief moment of melancholy, Su Mu composed himself and bid Furei farewell, preparing to leave.
“Oh, that’s right, little Mu Mu, your eighteenth birthday is coming soon. Is there anything you want as a gift?”
Upon hearing Furei’s words, Bai Ji and Laura, who were waiting nearby, perked up their ears.
[Ding~ Master, congratulations on triggering a normal option node. Please make a choice:]
[Option One: A sword]
[Option Two: A gem]
[Option Three: A Seven-Colored Illusory Flower]
The sudden voice in his ear startled Su Mu. He initially thought he was facing another life-or-death decision, but he breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the words ‘normal option node’ on the screen.
Su Mu looked at the strange list of choices before him, feeling somewhat puzzled.
‘Why do I even get options for choosing a gift?’
He realized this was his first encounter with a normal option node, and he had no idea what such options implied.
‘A sword… a gem… a Seven-Colored Illusory Flower?’
Su Mu cast a curious glance at Bai Ji and Laura beside him.
Connecting the gifts in the options to the female characters around him…
A sword for Bai Ji, a gem for Laura, and as for the Illusory Flower, that was the little fox’s preference.
‘Hiss—why does this feel like a choice event in a bishōjo game to increase favorability?’
Loving this chapter? You'll be hooked on How to Avoid Regression! Click to explore more!
Read : How to Avoid Regression
