While sorting through the library archives, Fox Lian happened upon an abandoned copy of The Elven Flora Compendium. Between its pages lay a dried silverleaf orchid petal—rare, sacred to the Elf Clan.
His violet eyes narrowed as he recalled a rumor: before Emma was with him, someone had anonymously sent the Elf Prince silverleaf orchids every day for an entire month.
At the time, he hadn't cared; too many people tried to win his favor. But now, remembering Emma's elaborate efforts to maintain her "obsessed admirer" persona…
Fox Lian closed the book, his tail swaying with dangerous intent.
That night, as Emma returned to her dorm after classes, she found Fox Lian waiting at her door.
He leaned against the frame, silver hair flowing in the moonlight, violet eyes deep, idly twirling the dried petal between his fingers. "Emma," his voice was lazy, yet carried unmistakable interrogation, "I heard you used to… like silverleaf orchids?"
Emma's heart skipped, though she forced calm: "They're fine. That flower's pretty common."
"Is it?" Fox Lian stepped closer, trapping her between himself and the door, fingers rolling the petal. "Then why did someone see a certain goddess anonymously delivering this 'common' flower to the Elf Prince's quarters every day—for a whole month?"
Emma: "!!!"
How did he know?! She had been so careful!
"I-I was just…" Emma's mind raced for an excuse.
"To maintain your persona?" Fox Lian supplied, tail tip brushing her wrist with dangerous ticklishness. "To avoid suspicion, even your 'admiration target' had to be carefully chosen. After all, the Elf Prince is handsome, aloof, and—most importantly—fluff-free. He wouldn't trigger your phobia, right?"
Every word struck directly at her past thoughts, leaving her nowhere to hide.
"And," Fox Lian pressed closer, breath warm at her ear, voice low, "I heard the Elf Prince was touched when he received the flowers. He even tried to find out who sent them."
Emma's back chilled, feeling hunted. Yes, she had once admired the prince's emerald eyes and refined grace—but that was distant appreciation, nothing like the irresistible urge to touch Fox Lian's ears and tail.
"That was all in the past!" she protested. "I only did it because…"
"Because what?" Fox Lian cut her off, lifting her chin, violet eyes stormy. "While I was thinking every day of how to make you look at me, my goddess was sending flowers to another man?"
His voice dripped with grievance and jealousy, his tail sulking as it slipped from her wrist.
Emma looked at him—half guilty, half amused. She caught his retreating tail, kneading the soft fur at its tip, her voice gentle: "I didn't know you then."
"And besides…" She rose on tiptoe, brushing a quick kiss to his cool lips, eyes twinkling. "The Elf Prince doesn't have a jealous tail."
Fox Lian's ears twitched, his tail wanting to wag but held in check, his gaze softening despite himself.
"And?" he pressed.
Emma sighed, continuing to coax: "He doesn't have such beautiful violet eyes."
Fox Lian's tail tip lifted slightly.
"Nor…" Emma's hand slid to his waist, teasing the fluffy pom-pom there, "…such an adorable tuft of fur."
"Hmph." Fox Lian finally broke, pulling her into his arms, tail wrapping tightly around her waist, burying his face in her neck with muffled demand: "From now on, only send flowers to me."
"Alright, alright," Emma soothed, stroking his fur. "I'll weave you a flower crown every day and put it on your tail, okay?"
Fox Lian imagined the scene, ears reddening, hugging her tighter.
The next day, the Elf Prince received an anonymous letter. In bold, flowing script, it read:
"She prefers fluff. —Tail's Owner"