Mama Fox

<Zuri>

Why must humans smell so deplorable?

Walking steadily down the path towards the village, Zuri was once again reminded of why he greatly disliked visits. The pungent, musty odour held in the air was impossible to ignore. A fact that even the numerous lei necklaces dangling around his neck couldn’t change. Clicking his tongue, Zuri’s gaze shifted towards his feet. This simple journey to the village was far too troublesome. If the foul air wasn’t bad enough, then the filth that attached itself as he moved definitely was. It quickly dirtied his pristine white clothing. Ruining it with stains that would undoubtedly take great effort to get rid of.

Given these horrid conditions, a normal person would be quite upset.

Zuri, being a completely normal person, was.

The same couldn’t be said for the person cheerfully humming by his side.

‘…How can one be so happy?’

Staring at the beauty gently rocking the basket in her hand, Zuri sighed.

He seriously needed to be firmer with her.

“Everything alright?” (C)

At the sudden question, Zuri quickly threw his gaze away.

He had been staring for too long.

“Yes.” (Z)

Notably, that was a lie.

A big, fat lie.

Short of heading back to the Palace, this was perhaps the last thing Zuri wanted to do. Going to a stinky village, meeting random villagers and showing off their kids wasn't exactly his idea of fun. Sadly, despite having an entire week to end this whole farce, Zuri failed to do so. Instead, he let Cleodora have her way while he silently fumed. The result of which was the party plans going head smoothly. The village had been preparing the entire week for these celebrations. The sound of them continually practicing performances throughout was impossible to miss. At this point, although thoroughly tempted to turn to Cleodora and call it off, Zuri felt it too late for that. Even if Cleodora was likely to agree, to suddenly do that felt… unbecoming of him.

A hand grabbed Zuri’s own, pulling him out of thought.

“…You’ve become rather bold again, huh?” (Z)

It squeezed lightly while its owner flashed a bright smile.

‘Goddamn it’

A familiar frustration took Zuri as he felt his mind slow to a crawl.

Why?

He cursed himself again and again.

Why does he keep losing himself like this?

Over and over, he had fallen prey to this particular nonsense.

Allowing himself to get embarrassed over the most benign things.

It shouldn’t be hard to look a person in the eyes just because they were holding your hand. Yet, here he was, unable to even think properly at the insignificant touch. Zuri, the esteemed Third Princess, was fussing due to holding hands with someone he shared three kids with. To make matters worse, said person was completely unfazed. Cleodora didn’t bat an eye to the gesture. That complex she developed not too long ago was already a thing of the past. Her usual confidence, the one worthy of the Great Hero, was returning with shining brilliance. Eclipsing the dark clouds of doubt.

‘Enough of this!’

Zuri couldn’t be the only one feeling embarrassed!!

Interlocking fingers with the hand holding his own, Zuri sought a rather crude form of comfort.

He needed to make that idiot feel exactly what he was feeling!

A brief surprise flashed on Cleodora’s face at the change before she quickly regained her composure.

She then proceeded to let out a small smile while locking eyes with Zuri.

‘Tch!’

Was that it?

The most beautiful person in the world locks fingers with you, and that’s your best reaction!?

Deciding to take things a step further, Zuri began caressing her hand in a manner that was, perhaps… a touch inappropriate for a public setting.

“Uhm, ah, Z-Zuzu?” (C)

Finally getting the reaction he desired, a wide grin quickly made way on Zuri’s face.

He proceeded to press on, causing Cleodora’s pace to fall.

She was such an easy mark sometimes.

‘Hehe’

Though, it shouldn’t be too surprising.

By now, Zuri had learned all of Cleodora’s weak spots given how frequently they—

“Gaaa!”

A soft cooing sounded from the basket Cleodora held in her other hand.

Gazing at the basket, a deep shame suddenly permeated throughout Zuri.

What had he been doing?

Letting go of Cleodora’s hand, he threw his eyes forward.

“…Zuzu?” (C)

And no sooner had he stopped, a voice tinged lightly with disappointment called to him.

He answered back coldly.

“Later.” (Z)

The walk down to the village continued in awkward silence.

A short-lived silence.

“T-Tonight later or, like, later later?” (C)

At the rather predictable question posed in a super low voice, Zuri pursed his lips.

…He really shouldn’t have gotten her worked up.

“Tonight.” (Z)

Still facing forward, he gave a concise reply.

But, don’t be mistaken. Zuri wasn’t doing this because he actually wanted to.

He was just merely taking responsibility for his actions.

Briefly glancing at the free hand beside him, Zuri reached for it.

An act that was the natural extension of him taking responsibility.

Cleodora was currently very wound up from earlier. By holding her hand, he was calming her down. Enough so that she wouldn’t make a fool of herself and him by extension in front of the villagers. There was absolutely no deeper meaning to it than that.

‘Fucking hell…’

Feeling his mind slow once again, Zuri bit his tongue.

He needed to have a private chat with Luwn soon.

This was quite the pitiful display.

Staring at the erratic flailing around these villagers dared called dance, Zuri sighed deeply.

Was this what they had been practicing all week?

It was so lacklustre and amateurish. Just like the tone-deaf “music” they insisted accompany the dance.

“That’s quite the tune, huh!?” (C)

Looking at the idiot happily laughing and clapping along, Zuri pinched the bridge of his nose.

Surely, this moron that grew up with him, surrounded by the world’s finest artists, could recognise the subpar quality on display right now?

‘Lower your expectations, lower your expectations’

A person couldn’t be competent in everything.

The “song” and “dance” combo performed by villagers seemed to last forever.

Trapped at the small constructed stage located centre of the village, Zuri was forced to watch the whole tragedy until the very end, wherein, he gave a fake applause.

A horribly tiresome ordeal.

Only topped in annoyance by what came next.

All the villagers lined up and took turns coming up the stage to greet the babies and congratulate Zuri and Cleodora.

“Oh my, what cute babies! And that hair… they really took after you, Miss Hero.”

“You think so, haha?” (C)

Cleodora rubbed the back of her neck in what could only surely be fake humility.

A slight displeasure abruptly struck Zuri.

“Hey, Baldy. Are your eyes working? Look again.” (Z)

Glaring at the man, Zuri pointed to the most prominent features on display.

“Can’t you notice those magnificent tails and ears?” (Z)

Cleodora rushed to speak.

“Zuzu, he—” (C)

“Why, of course, Princess! The children have truly been blessed. That radiance they carry could only come from you.”

The bald man chuckled lightly before saying his goodbyes.

Turning to Cleodora, Zuri couldn’t help but smirk. That was quite a clear win for him.

Cleodora sighed in response.

What a sore loser.

The evening carried on with Cleodora and Zuri meeting and greeting people.

From the congregation of mothers to even the children, they met them all.

Every single person in the village.

By the end of it all, Zuri was feeling tired beyond what mere words could express.

He had endured terrible music, godawful dancing and more conversations than he cared to remember. Yet, Cleodora had been all smiles throughout the whole affair. Proudly introducing their kids, admiring the villagers’ poor gifts with gusto and cracking jokes with everyone. Honestly, just having a jolly old time.

‘…Well, at least someone enjoyed themselves’

It appeared this wasn’t a complete waste of time.

Remembering the faces of those who came up, Zuri nodded to himself.

The genuine delight of the villagers as well wasn’t all that bad.

Despite their numerous, numerous shortcomings, they were earnest.

“A-Are we still on?” (C)

‘S-She still has energy after such a day!?’

Glancing at the beauty walking beside him, Zuri bit back a curse.

The Hero really was relentless.

“O-Oh, fine….” (Z)