The palace grew quieter as evening settled in.
Sunlight faded through the tall windows, leaving the corridors bathed in warm amber light and deepening shadows. Most of the servants had withdrawn for the night, and only the distant sound of guards changing shifts echoed faintly through the halls.
Prince Leon finally returned to his chambers.
The moment he stepped inside, his shoulders relaxed—just slightly.
Joon-Woo was there.
In his fox form, he lay curled on a cushioned seat near the window, his white fur glowing faintly in the dying light. One purple eye opened the instant Leon entered.
"You're still awake," Leon murmured.
Joon-Woo lifted his head, his tail flicking once in response.
Leon loosened his gloves and set his sword aside. He moved slowly, each step careful, as though he didn't want to disturb the fragile calm of the room. Sitting down beside the fox, he let out a long breath.
"…Today was exhausting."
Joon-Woo watched him quietly.
Leon reached out, hesitated for a heartbeat, then gently rested his hand against the fox's warm fur.
"You don't mind, do you?"
Joon-Woo didn't pull away.
Instead, he leaned closer—just a little.
Leon smiled faintly.
"That dream still hasn't left me," he said softly. "The forest. The water. Those eyes…"
His fingers stilled.
"…Purple, like yours."
Joon-Woo's ear twitched.
Leon chuckled quietly. "It's strange. Ever since you came into my life, I sleep more peacefully. Even when the days are heavy."
After a while, Leon rose from his seat.
"Snowflake," he said gently, "come here. It's time to sleep."
Joon-Woo slipped down and padded over to the bed. Leon lay down, and the fox curled up beside him. Before long, both of them drifted into sleep, sharing the quiet warmth of the night.
Morning came quickly.
Prince Leon rose early, preparing for his duties before the sun had fully climbed into the sky. Without waking Joon-Woo, he left the room quietly.
Joon-Woo continued sleeping, unaware of the time passing.
When he finally woke, the room felt empty.
He lifted his head and looked around.
The prince was gone.
Just then, a maid entered the chamber and froze slightly when she noticed the fox awake.
"Oh—you're up already," she said softly.
Before Joon-Woo could react, she gently picked him up.
"Come now, little one. It's bath time."
Joon-Woo stiffened.
His ears flattened in embarrassment as she carried him away. Being handled like this still made him feel shy.
I still haven't gotten used to this… he thought.
The maid bathed him carefully, warm water and gentle hands washing the sleep from his fur. Afterward, she dried him with a soft towel, patting him until his fur was fluffy once more.
Then she placed him neatly on his pillow.
Not long after, the maid returned with a small tray of food prepared just for him. Joon-Woo ate quietly while she watched with a fond smile.
Once he finished, she gathered the dishes and left the room.
Alone again, Joon-Woo stretched and glanced toward the window.
I haven't gone outside in a while, he thought.
Maybe I'll take a walk today.