Chapter 7 — The Handsome Man Under the Moonlight
Geoffrey, dressed in tight black pants and only a loose shirt, began unbuttoning it recklessly. The white shirt slipped to the floor, and his well-built back unfolded before her eyes.
Wow! Does he do anything besides eat and work out?
When he reached for the glass of water on the nightstand, the muscles in his arm flexed and rippled.
Gulp…
Mio’s mouth filled with saliva as she stole a glance at him drinking.
Why am I thirsty too?
He bent down to remove his leather boots, and as his hand moved to his waistband, Mio’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.
— Grrr! (Don’t take that off! No!)
Not that she’d really mind, but… he’d catch a cold like that!
Her heart pounded wildly, and Geoffrey turned toward her at the sound. Just then, the clouds parted and moonlight spilled through the window, wrapping him in a soft glow. For the first time, the usually cold and fierce Geoffrey looked… sorrowful.
Why does the world’s coldest man have eyes like that?
He wiped the water dripping from the corner of his mouth and gazed wistfully at the moon.
And those scars…
His body was a mess — old wounds covered his side and chest. He was a man she should hate, yet seeing those scars made her chest ache.
Maybe I really am depressed.
Ever since that brute had grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, she hadn’t been able to think straight. When Mio lowered her snout gloomily, Geoffrey approached.
“…Stray dog. Don’t even think about running off.”
He extended one finger and scratched the top of her head roughly — a threat.
— Grrr! (I’m a fox, not a dog! A fox!)
He merely shrugged at her low growl.
Mio glared after him until her eyes nearly bulged, then hastily raised her paw to groom the spot he’d touched. She wanted to rip every bit of fur out of sheer disgust.
Tch. Whatever pity I had for him just evaporated.
Geoffrey soon lay down on the bed, and Mio, perched on the nightstand, glared daggers at him.
What an infuriating man.
He was the one who’d killed her countless times — and the one who’d stolen her foolish fox heart.
“…Go to sleep already.”
— Kkii! (What the—does he have eyes in the back of his head?!)
Mio snapped her head away in a hurry.
“…Hah.”
Geoffrey tossed and turned several times on the bed. He lay flat for a while, then rolled toward her, then turned his back again. Mio perked her ears and waited for the right moment. Soon, the steady rhythm of sleep filled the room.
Finally asleep. Time for some water first.
Her mouth felt parched.
This is absolutely not because of Geoffrey!
Mio shook her head violently.
It’s just… that smoked meat was way too salty.
Muttering to herself things no one asked about, she glanced around.
Ugh, that jerk drank all the water.
In places where water was scarce, people usually left a little for the beasts.
Selfish bastard.
The only water left was in the cup he had drunk from. It wasn’t ideal, but her thirst was unbearable. Mio slid her long snout into the cup and took a sip. The cup was so narrow that even drinking a mouthful was a struggle.
Phew. That’s better.
As she lifted her head to lick the moisture from her muzzle, the blanket slipped down, revealing Geoffrey’s bare skin.
…Ahem.
Heat rushed to her face, and she cleared her throat quietly.
Let’s just get this over with.
Fortunately, the nightstand was close to the bed, so she didn’t need to jump far. Mio crept soundlessly onto the bed, staring at Geoffrey’s turned back.
This time, I’ll just brush against his lips and run.
Resolving herself, she climbed carefully along the bedpost toward his face. Moonlight fell across her, casting the shadow of a great beast against the wall.
When he’s asleep, he really does look like an angel.
Soft bangs framed his smooth forehead, and his finely drawn brows, nose, and lips held her gaze. The thick air of the room, the hazy moonlight—it all felt intoxicating.
His scent is making it hard to breathe.
She swallowed hard, her tongue nervously wetting her lips.
This isn’t a kiss—it’s survival. I’m just brushing against his flesh to stay alive.
Determined, Mio leaned in toward his red lips. The moment she touched them, her body instantly shifted from fox to human.
There! Now I just have to run!
She had eaten, she was clear-headed—everything seemed to be going well.
“…?”
That was, until a heavy arm wrapped tightly around her waist. Geoffrey’s arm, like a log, pulled her close, and she nearly screamed.
Stay calm. Stay calm!
Even when a tiger bites, you survive if you keep your head straight… right?
But moving his arm without waking him seemed impossible. She tried wriggling free, but Geoffrey didn’t budge an inch.
…I could cry.
One touch only gave her fifteen days of survival, and yet she was wasting it trapped in his arms.
Maybe I should just bite his arm off.
Her eyes flicked toward the dagger under the pillow and the long sword leaning against the bed. No — touching them might get her stabbed instantly.
I’m going insane.
Staring at the wall, she bit her lip hard, tears welling in her eyes. She hadn’t entered this cursed book by choice.
And in the story, the fox shifter wasn’t this tiny and pathetic!
In “Twist Your Neck and Take You”, the fox who loved Geoffrey was said to have an enormous true form. But in reality, Mio looked more like a white puppy than a fox—if not for the fluffy tail, no one would tell the difference.
I’m exhausted. Just… exhausted.
After the warm bath and full meal, drowsiness washed over her.
Wake up, Kumiho! If you fall asleep here, you’ll be a dog by morning. A dog!
Half-dozing, Mio forced her eyes open. The wall showed their shadows—two figures, close and tender.
…So that’s how we look in the shadow.
In truth, they were sworn enemies. She gathered her strength again, trying to lift the arm around her waist. Carefully, she pushed, squirming inch by inch.
And then—
Thud. Geoffrey’s hand slipped from her wrist and hung limply to the side. Another soft breathing joined the quiet of the room.
In her dream, Mio patted her full belly after eating the food a polar bear had left behind. Everything in the world felt beautiful.
Could life be any happier?
She wagged her fluffy tail, savoring the peaceful nature—until she heard a dripping sound. When she turned, a wolf, her natural predator, was licking its lips.
— Grrr! (Go away! I don’t even have much meat!)
But the wolf wasn’t interested in conversation. It lunged and clamped its jaws around her waist.
You filthy bastard!
The pain was unbearable—she couldn’t even scream. She struggled to escape, but it was hopeless. She couldn’t breathe; her back hurt so badly she thought she might die.
“…Hah!”
Mio’s eyes flew open. Light flooded the room.
That was one hell of a nightmare…
But even awake, her waist felt heavy.
What the—!
When she looked down, Geoffrey’s large hand was wrapped around her like a shackle.
Did I really fall asleep like this?!
She couldn’t even think of an excuse.
No. If I run now, everything will be fine.
Negative thoughts would only make her panic. She forced herself to think positive, even in this absurd situation.
Okay. On three, I push his arm away and jump out the window.
If she gave it her all, maybe she could escape before he drew his sword.
…One, two, three!
She pushed with all her strength—yet instead of loosening, his arm tightened even more, pulling her so close her shoulder brushed his bare chest.
Why is he doing this to me…
Tears welled up, spilling silently down her cheeks.
Mio was an orphan.
She’d never had parents — she’d long since accepted that.
Sometimes she felt lonely, but she never showed it. She’d realized early that no amount of effort could create a family where there wasn’t one. After aging out of the orphanage, she’d lived alone in a tiny one-room apartment, juggling part-time work and studies. Dying like that was unfair enough — and now, even in a book, she kept dying again and again.
“…Hic… sob…”
Finally, she couldn’t hold it in and began to weep.
“…Remarkable perseverance.”
“…!”
A voice, much lower than usual, tickled her ear. Her tears dried instantly, and Mio bit her lip in panic.
“Why are we in the same bed?”
“Well, um…”
She seized the moment when his grip loosened and flattened herself against the wall.
“No—first, tell me what you did to me.”
Geoffrey’s narrowed eyes gleamed, and his voice dripped with menace.
