The rustle ca again, followed by whines. What ca out of hiding was a baby fox, small and clumsy with soft baby fat. The fur was fluffy and pure white, with large ears, almost too big for its head.
Its bushy little tail wagged as though it was excited to see , pale silver-blue eyes turning bright.
Just making eye contact had a strange feeling swamp , and I could see myself through the fox’s eyes, and its eyes through mine.
It wobbled toward , taking its ti. It looked no less than five weeks old, and I wanted to help, but the determination in its eyes told that it needed to do this.
It made its way to and used its paws on my knees. That was when I took the initiative to help it up, and it curled its head on my stomach, rubbing gently.
"What’s a baby fox doing in the castle?" Diana asked, confused. "The knights could have seen it."
"I don’t know. Maybe it got lost from its mother. She must be around here sowhere."
"She’ll co for it when she notices it’s missing." Diana rose to her feet. "We should get going, it’s too cold out here."
"Right," I said, putting the fox down. "Stay here, your mother should be here soon, alright?"
I rose to my full height, turning my back, but I couldn’t help looking at it again. The look it gave was a sad one.
I shook my head, telling myself I was just seeing things. As Diana and I walked on the pavent, I heard it coming. It ca beside , paws on the rim of the gown, like it didn’t want to go.
I passed a brief look around the area and then at the baby fox. Why do I get the feeling it’s alone?
"Diana, I don’t think the mother is anywhere here."
"Then how did it get here on its own?"
"I don’t know." I crouched to the fox and picked it up to observe it.
Definitely five weeks old. All alone out here, like it just magically appeared in the courtyard.
"What are you thinking?" Diana asked .
"Well, we can’t leave it out here. I’ll take it inside and ask the servants to search for its mother."
"You’re already smitten with this creature."
"Maybe." I cuddled it in my arms and poked its nose. It gave a happy yip. "How can you resist this?"
Diana smiled, leaning close. "True, it’s very cute." She played with its paws.
~•~
I put the towel over the fox. "There, you’re all cleaned up now."
Its ears were up when I pulled the towel, and I giggled at the level of cuteness. It was calm during the bath and even when I fed it so leftovers from the table. It kept staring at with such a bright expression.
Is this what you call love at first sight?
I placed a hand beneath my chin. Is that why my husband’s eyes were glowing during the bride’s presentation a year ago?
The doors opened, and Drevon walked in.
"Drevon!" I said as my expression turned brighter.
He smiled at before his gaze pinned on the baby fox. He raised an eyebrow. "A fox?"
"Can you believe I found it in the courtyard?"
"The courtyard? Are you sure?" He neared us.
"Yes, I’ll make a small search for its mother tomorrow."
"A fox shouldn’t be within the castle, no less a white one."
"What do you an?"
"White foxes are rare, known to be seen in the deepest part of the north."
"But this is the north."
"Yes, my love, but not the main north."
"Oh..." I looked at my cute baby fox and leaned toward it. "Then how did you find your way here, little one?"
"I don’t think its mother is here... but the search will be made."
"If we can’t find her, can I keep it?"
Drevon chuckled. "I don’t think you need my permission for that, my love."
"I know, but it ans we will be three now."
Drevon sat on the bed and pulled to his lap, carried the fox gently, and placed it on my lap.
"The numbers will grow naturally, and there is always room for more."
I blushed. "You’re not talking about having a fox pet, are you?"
"I am... what did you think I was talking about?"
"You said the numbers will grow."
"Naturally."
"Drevon!" I growled, and he laughed.
I flinched when the fox rubbed its head on my belly.
"I know we haven’t talked about it, but. There should be an heir." Just saying that out loud made the words heavy. "As queen, I should—"
He placed a finger on my lip. "The look in your eyes shows you don’t want to talk about it. Don’t. We have all the ti in the world to discuss matters as you said."
It was tis like this that made love Drevon more; he could pick up even the slightest discomfort from and spare the ti of dealing with it.
A yip grabbed our attention. The baby fox was still busy caressing on my stomach, and it got even more excited.
"It’s been doing that a lot."
"I can see that."
"What? Jealous?"
Drevon’s only response was exhaling sharply before picking the fox up and placing it on the bed. I was next, and his head was on my lap, and he was holding close.
"That’s not very nice of you," I scolded.
"I answered your question, didn’t I?"
"How could you be jealous of a fox? You—" I squeaked when he used his teeth on my stomach before resting his head back on my lap like he had done nothing.
"You beast!"
I could tell he was smiling now. I rolled my eyes, running my fingers through his hair.
The baby fox climbed Drevon’s back and curled up in a snowy ball, tail draped over its nose.
This was a rare sight, and I couldn’t help but cherish it.
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