Chapter 100

The spirit peeked her head out from my arms and answered hesitantly, her voice small.

“I’m sorry, Master…. Nini has never met the Purifier from a thousand years ago. But I do know… that they died trying to save the world.”

“Th-That happened?”

“Yes. Isn’t it recorded in the humans’ history books?”

“In the ones I read….”

[Just as the Great Spirit’s wrath threatened to shroud the entire land in corruption, a radiance brilliant as a jewel drove back the curse.]

So that ‘radiance’ meant the Purifier?

A thousand years ago was too distant to grasp. Anyone who still remembered that time would be… perhaps only the first emperor.

If I go to the imperial library in Grastea, I might find more detailed records….

I had come all the way to the lakeside to fish, but the journey had drained me more than I realized. I simply didn’t have the energy.

So after resting beneath a towering tree for about thirty minutes, I summoned the Secret Door.

“Ninabel, are you staying by the spring? Or do you want to go out and play?”

“Nini… wants to take a closer look at this lake. There might be traces of an old spirit left behind….”

“Hmm…. All right. Do that, then.”

After spending a while comforting the spirit, who looked on the verge of tears, I stepped out of the subspace.

Next, I searched through the study at Epherne Castle, but I couldn’t find any detailed accounts of the Purifier from a thousand years ago.

All I uncovered were a few scattered lines.

[The child of purification sent by the gods became a single ray of light in a world of chaos!]

That one was a verse from a poem.

[Though the spirit hunt has ended… we must never forget the holy sacrifice of the Purifier.]

That was how a scholar from 950 years ago recorded it in a history text.

I really should visit the imperial library. Or maybe go to the Grand Temple and ask there.

Time slipped by as I read, and before I knew it, night had fallen.

I returned to my room, washed thoroughly, and prepared for bed.

I could bathe and change into my nightclothes on my own… yet, as always, Marian and Chelsea insisted on helping.

“Sleep well, Lady Muriel.”

“Sweet dreams, Lady Muriel! I’ll take good care of the rabbit!”

When the two of them turned out the lights and left, a lonely stillness settled over the dim room.

I didn’t think I’d fall asleep, but I let out a soft sigh and closed my eyes.

Tomorrow, I’ll go see Lycian. I’ve made up my mind—after that bath….

That was when—

Click.

…Hm?

I thought I heard the door open and close just a crack.

Tap. Tap.

Small footsteps cut through the silence.

…The rabbit?

But the rabbit couldn’t open doors.

The moment I flung the covers aside—

“…!”

A pale puff of fur leapt lightly onto the bed.

When I looked closer, I found a fox with platinum-colored fur.

And not just any fox—it had an unmistakable air of elegance.

“W-What? Why is there a fox….”

I stammered in confusion as the fox suddenly burrowed into my arms.

Then it looked up at me with bright, glistening eyes and let out a soft whine.

What is this fox…?

Looking more closely, I noticed a neat pink ribbon tied snugly around its neck.

As if to say, ‘The gift is me 🖤.’

“Whine… whine….”

The fox clung to the hem of my clothes, fussing incessantly.

Did it want to be petted?

“All right, don’t cry.”

I soothed it, running my hand through its platinum fur.

The fur was fairly long and unbelievably soft.

The fox panted happily, its fluffy tail—attached to a body shaped suspiciously like a hotdog—swaying back and forth.

“You’re Lycian’s fox, aren’t you?”

“Whine….”

“I have no idea what you’re saying….”

Should I try using the Husbandry skill?

No. I can’t just tame someone else’s pet.

Just then, the fox suddenly raised its body and pressed its long snout against my lips.

“…!”

I froze, eyes wide, as a fox I didn’t know abruptly kissed me.

Worse, it stuck out its tongue and began licking my face all over.

Then it snuggled into my arms again—only to resume enthusiastically licking me.

It repeated the excessive display of affection without the slightest sign of fatigue.

I let out a breathy laugh.

“I’m not your owner, you know….”

“Whine…!”

I didn’t speak fox, but somehow that had sounded like, ‘Master…!’

…Could it be a fox I knew?

But the only fox I knew was—

…Lycian.

As I gently stroked its back, I asked cautiously,

“Are you Lycian…?”

“…!”

The fox jolted in shock and suddenly sprang away from me.

Then it began obsessively licking its own paw, pretending to be preoccupied.

Hmm~

My suspicion deepened.

Narrowing my eyes, I fixed the fox with a stare.

“You’re Lycian.”

“W-Whine.”

“Hurry up and admit it.”

“Yip….”

After fidgeting and watching my reaction anxiously, the fox suddenly lunged back into my arms.

It rubbed its cheek against my chest, then peeked up at me with sparkling eyes.

As if to say, ‘Please forgive me.’

Then it quickly rose onto its hind legs and began licking my face again.

“Why are you licking me so much….”

As I fell back onto the bed with a soft thump, the fox climbed on top of me and sat there, tail swishing lazily.

I fiddled with its perked-up ears and let out a disbelieving laugh.

“This is ridiculous….”

“Yip….”

“Sneaking into my bedroom in fox form. That’s seriously perverted.”

“Whine!”

“You idiot. You stupid fox.”

The moment I wrapped both arms around it and hugged it tightly, golden mist bloomed around us—and the fox transformed into a person.

Lycian, with his platinum hair, looked down at me with tearful eyes.

His gaze—clear as golden crystal—was damp.

He looked like a puppy caught in the rain.

Is this really the same man who was throwing a tantrum in front of Fabian?

I opened my mouth slowly.

“You….”

“…….”

“You really do seem like you have a split personality. You act arrogant and domineering with everyone else, but in front of me you pretend to be meek and pitiful….”

“…….”

“And—p-put some clothes on!”

I shrieked and shoved him away. Lycian was completely naked!

—A moment later.

Now dressed, Lycian returned and knelt in front of me with a crestfallen expression.

“I’m sorry, Muriel. When I transform into a fox, I end up naked….”

“Ha….”

“I wasn’t planning to change back into human form, but the moment you hugged me tightly, I lost control.”

I shook my head.

The people who feared the Grand Duke of Epherne had no idea he was such a shameless fox.

Crossing my arms and legs, I glared down at him.

“Pervert.”

“I’ll admit it.”

“Shameless.”

“…But I was cute as a fox, wasn’t I?”

“Ah….”

No? Not at all?

…That was what I meant to say, but since he actually had been cute, I kept my mouth shut.

Even in a situation like this, that subtle boldness was so very Lycian.

“Ahem!”

I cleared my throat unnecessarily and shot him another glare. Barefoot, I pressed my foot lightly against his shoulder.

“Next time, don’t suddenly turn back into a person. N-Naked is still too soon for us….”

“Ah…?”

The obedient look in Lycian’s eyes sharpened instantly.

As expected, he probed gently,

“By ‘too soon,’ do you mean that later it would be acceptable?”

Caught off guard, I averted my gaze.

Then, in a deliberately calm voice, I deflected,

“No? Later when? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Muriel….”

Heat bled into the way he said my name.

As though he’d seized upon the tell I couldn’t quite hide in my words and manner.

I bit down on my lip, then let out a long sigh, my body relaxing.

What’s the point in hiding it?

The conclusion had already been reached….

Giving up on playing coy, I spoke more softly.

“Stop kneeling…. Don’t stay like that. Sit next to me.”

“Yes, my master.”

Lycian answered at once, springing to his feet and settling snugly at my side.

The confidence of a favored consort surged back into him.

Watching him, I couldn’t help but laugh.

He’s so transparent….

Eyes that looked ready to give me everything, devotion overflowing like a spring that would never run dry.

Before I met Lycian, I never once imagined I would receive something like this in my life.

Well, it can’t be helped.

If I was going to be with him, I would have to accept living differently from ordinary people.

And I was never meant to live ordinarily anyway. I’m the one and only Purifier in this world.

For a moment, I missed the small, humble house and vegetable garden.

I had just wanted to live there peacefully, without worries.

Pretending not to know anything about the world….

A faint smile slipped through my lips.

Well, reality is always far from a dream.

I reached out and cupped Lycian’s cheek.

When our eyes met at such close distance, his long lashes trembled.

Suddenly, I wanted to kiss them.

Following the impulse of my heart, I pressed my lips lightly against his, then pulled back.

Gazing quietly into his eyes, I said,

“I’ll accept it. Living as your partner.”

“…!”

“To be honest, it still doesn’t quite feel real….”

I took his hand firmly in mine and continued.

“Someone who fits my heart as perfectly as a puzzle piece like you—I’ll never meet another.”

Even if I were born again, I might never find someone like this.

Muriel had been an orphan. So had I.

When you’ve lived with nowhere to lean, you learn how precious a bond can be.

So I won’t let go. I’ll hold on tight.

“Muriel….”

His voice trembled as he said my name, eyes brimming with tears.

Soon, thick droplets spilled down his cheeks, falling one after another.

Wait—he’s actually crying?

He wasn’t pretending to be weak.

Lycian was genuinely overwhelmed, sobbing openly.