The Story Of A Small Fox Who Has A Star - Chapter 16

TN: there are flashbacks which is indicated by the sign be aware. Thank you for reading!

Please, save him!! Please please. You have to!! You have to save my bride!!!

The outer gate of the palace closed.

JHo gently took Ho-Chi from the fox soldier as he walked away from the gate.

“Prepare a bath!”

JHos ordering voice rang out from the courtyard.

“Prepare a scented oil as well! Need to get rid of the human smell.”

Because of JHo’s firm and loud voice, the fox subordinates urgently moved to carry out their master’s order.

JHo carefully lowered Ho-Chi onto one of his subordinates waiting arms and bared his teeth at him as he said,

“Be careful when you are washing him. If I see any scar on him after the bath, you will not be able to keep your life.”

Shaking in fear, the subordinates respectfully carried Ho-Chi into a bathtub.

Until now, JHo only showed his gentle side to his subordinates. Because of this, JHo’s sudden change of temperament startled the subordinates.

When the subordinates started washing the fox that Master JHo brought, they became embarrassed by how weak the fox was. The fox was so weak that he was almost identical to human.

The fox wasn’t even pretty, and his hair color was dark like those of humans.

Except for the star shaped scar on his forehead, nothing about the fox seemed special. Rather, the fox seemed inferior compared to the subordinates in the palace.

“Master JHo, we’ve laid the fox down on the bed.”

Du-Ito, JHo’s rabbit aid, announced the progress as he stood by JHo’s side.

JHo was in a pavilion with a tray of food and drinks. Even though he had a glass full of liquor, JHo did not touch it even once. JHo just sat there with his eyes fixed on a lotus flower that floated on the small lake.

Even though Du-Ito thought that it was a very strange sight, he waited on JHo like a docile lamb.

Du-Ito knew of JHo’s desperate search for Ho-Chi who was now occupying JHo’s bed, because he was one of the subordinates whom JHo sent out as a search party.

“How ishis body.”

“He is very weak. As you well know, without the fox bead, it will be very difficult for him to stay asleep much longer”

JHo did not say anything for a very long time before asking again,

“Did you find any wound on his body?”

“According to one of the subordinates who dressed him, he had some heat rash but, other than that, there was no visible wound.”

“Tsk. That mere humanhe dared-”

JHo jumped up so abruptly that his clothes fluttered by the movement but sat back down again.

“Master JHo?”

“In the roomput some flowers, and fruitslet down the blinds so that he cannot detect the change of days in the room. Also make sure that the surrounding is quiet, so not to disturb him.”

“Yes”

Even though all those things did not matter to Ho-Chi who was deathly asleep, Du-Ito carried out JHo’s order nonetheless.

When JHo finally stepped into his room, it was already early morning that the sun was rising slowly from the horizon.

The room, as JHo has ordered earlier, was blanketed by the thick darkness and the smell of sweet flowers and citrus fruits permeated throughout the space.

JHo opened the door to his bed chamber and did not enter for a long time. When JHo entered the room, he did so with absolute silence before he closed the door behind him.

JHo passed three more doors before finally reaching the door that directly lead him to the bed. After pushing aside the blind that separated him from the bed, JHo was able to see his star.

There, JHo found his shining star laid on his bed.

Even in the darkness, JHo cleared saw him, Ho-Chi who was quietly asleep.

There was a star shaped scar that JHo created on Ho-Chi’s forehead a long time ago.

There was a skinny face and black hair that draped over the small face like a murky waterfall. There was a small fox ear and neatly arranged fingers so white that it looked like a snow.

JHo dwelled on every details of Ho-Chi’s sleeping figure as he silently lowered himself to a seat next the bed.

The air stopped moving, the time started disappearing, and the sound ceased existing.

In an attempt to brush Ho-Chi’s hair, JHo brought his hand closer to Ho-Chi’s face.

And to try calling Ho-Chi’s name, JHo opened his mouth.

However, JHo could not bring himself to do neither of those things.

That was not the case! My bride is not that kind of fox!! My bride is a kind fox!! Even though he was kidnapped by me, even though he was cursed by people, even though he must have been hurthe never complained or said anything bad about anyonehe is a kindest fox

JHo’s face crumpled while his lips smiled.

In the beginning, Ho-Chi’s existence was taught to JHo as a mistake.

So, when JHo faced Ho-Chi, he felt revolted just staying near Ho-Chi. Because of those unpleasant feelings, JHo mistreated Ho-Chi whenever he felt like it which was nearly every day.

Harassed by JHo, Ho-Chi would shed drops of tears as he looked up at JHo.

In those teary eyes, JHo did not remember noticing any anger, or blame. There were only wounded look and hurt that were inflicted by JHo. Without thinking to hide any of those feelings, Ho-Chi, JHo remembered, looked up at JHo wordlessly.

I will..I will make my bride happy. I promise, I will make you happy. So please, you have to open your eyes

Remembering his own actions all those years ago and the guy’s words in front of the gate, JHo could only crumple his face as if he was about to cry. Even though he could, JHo did not shed tears because he did not deserve such luxury when Ho-Chi could not. So, JHo smiled instead.

When Ho-Chi was hurt, and tears were staining his face, JHo turned his back on Ho-Chi as he mocked Ho-Chi’s weakness.

JHo mocked Ho-Chi’s efforts, tormented Ho-Chi’s tears, and disdained Ho-Chi’s gazes.

And now that Ho-Chi was about to be gone, JHo regretted everything that he had done to Ho-Chi. Whenever JHo thought of his actions from the past, his heart ached with pain.

“Even if I was wrong what could a human such as that guy do for you. It is better that I keep you by my side.”

TN: I cant help but add another layer to what is happening in the bed chamber or rather in JHos mind. I believe JHo feels guilty and he is trying to make up for his misdeeds. However, he doesnt want to do let Ho-Chi stay with the guy. Maybe he feels jealous? But it is for sure that JHo hates the guy. Even if it can make Ho-Chi happy, JHo doesnt want to give Ho-Chi to the guy. At least, that is my interpretation of what the author was trying to show in the scene above. Happy reading!