Mama Fox

<Zuri>

It hadn’t been easy escaping her.

Standing outside the fence of a dilapidated, tiny hut, Zuri stared hard at the wooden door.

Cleodora had suddenly become extra watchful of him. After that little “incident” yesterday, she turned up the already high attention she gave him to the extreme. Catering toward his every ask (except completely leaving him alone) with the utmost diligence and effort. She repeatedly stressed his need to rest, insisting he should get as much as he wanted. And, as a show of her seriousness, she took over all the household duties. Sweeping and mopping around, preparing all meals (though terribly), and cleaning the stained bedsheets after… after what she did to him the night before.

It was quite shocking to witness.

The complete 180 she took from ignoring his words to complete obedience was astounding.

… If Zuri had been of a lesser mind, he might’ve mistaken such actions as remorse for what she did. After all, his reaction to the little “incident” had been anything but small; it had been even worse than that night. So, he refused to be so easily fooled by this little act of hers. It was clear as day she was playing to something. He may not be able to figure out what it was, but he knew for a fact she wasn’t doing this out of pure goodness or even remorse.

It was quite clear she didn’t feel repentant for what she did.

She didn’t feel guilty.

If she did, she would’ve bothered to issue an apology… Not that it mattered much in this case.

As far as he was concerned, all her efforts were merely her next scheme.

‘Cunning, arrogant bastard! To think—ugh!?’

Zuri felt his sore body protest the sudden, furious movement forward to the house.

‘G-God damn it!’

He slowed.

It appeared he still wasn’t fully recovered. Wincing slightly with every step, he moved with renewed determination. Like he said earlier, escaping Cleodora to come find the village healer hadn’t been easy. On top of her enhanced watchfulness over him, his own body held him back. Everything was still sore despite taking the herbal medication. These issues combined together created an impossible wall Zuri had to scale.

So, how did he do it?

It was surprisingly simple looking back.

After distracting Cleodora with an impossible task, Zuri chugged the remainder of his medicine in one swallow and powered through the journey to this spot. Fortune was on his side; he didn't have to walk all the way down to the village to find the herbalist. Instead, he met a helpful villager coming up the hill who pointed him toward this exact location before quickly departing.

Zuri let out a tired sigh as he reached the door.

He needed to be quick.

Who knows how long it would take for Cleodora to give up on finding a non-existent flower to help him feel better?

Knock Knock

With two gentle knocks, he assumed the posture of someone befitting his status.

“Coming, coming!”

The trademark soft voice of an elderly woman shouted out.

The door opened soon after.

Zuri spoke first.

“Greetings. I am Princess Zuri, and I’ve come seeking your aid.” (Z)

Taking a calm, yet urgent tone.

This was a matter of life and death.

The elder woman paused for a moment, bowed deeply and then looked up, wearing a warm smile.

“Ah, Princess. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

She gestured inside.

“Come in, come in.”

She had a lot of manners for a backwater villager.

Watching the elderly lady brew a cup of tea in a way that could only be classified as elegant, Zuri felt a surge of reassurance flood his body.

‘That’s right!’

He wasn’t dealing with the average villager but an educated trader.

She most likely studied in some big city, if not the capital.

“How may I assist you, Princess?”

The elderly woman set a cup of tea in front of Zuri while posing a question.

‘Direct, huh?’

Not a bad thing—especially in this case, but basic introductions were still a must.

Zuri needed to know who he was working with.

Who he could trust.

“Introduce yourself.” (Z)

“Ah, yes, my apologies.”

The elder woman chuckled.

“I am Luwn Heath. A healer and herbalist by trade.”

Zuri nodded.

“I’m in need of your assistance, Luwn.” (Z)

“What kind of assistance, Princess?” (L)

Zuri paused.

Silence took the room.

He reached out a hand and took a sip of the tea presented before him.

‘Ugh, gross’

It tasted like grass.

“Are you having trouble falling asleep? Or perhaps a case of an irritable stomach?” (L)

The moment of silence was cut short by the words of the elderly woman.

“No… Nothing of the sort.” (Z)

Zuri replied with hollow words.

Staring at the liquid in his cup, he felt his tongue slowly grow heavy.

… How was one supposed to talk about this stuff?

It felt embarrassing as hell.

‘God damn it…!’

He came all this way though! Now was not the time to be shy about it!!

‘Right, right. I just need to speak the words. That’s not hard at all’

His sisters certainly hadn’t been shy about their own situations.

There was no reason for him to be.

“I need treatment for a certain issue of a delicate nature…” (Z)

Despite thinking that, though, the words failed to materialise.

“Oh, I see.” (L)

But it appeared there was no real cause for concern.

Zuri relaxed.

Wasn’t it only natural that an experienced healer would be aware of his words?

He smiled.

“I’ll prepare the herbs at once.” (L)

Luwn stood and shuffled toward a cabinet.

‘Truly a professional’

No questions, no awkwardness.

A small, green bulging bundle sat in Zuri’s lap.

He inspected it.

“Will this really work?” (Z)

With how swiftly she made it, it certainly didn’t feel like it would. Zuri wasn’t an expert in modern medicine nor the magical kind, but he was at least certain each took a considerable amount of time to create.

“Trust me, Princess. I’ve made this treatment countless times.” (L)

“Very well.” (Z)

At the end of the day, he wasn’t an expert.

It was best to leave this stuff to them.

Luwn smiled.

“With this, the nausea will go away almost immediately.” (L)

“…Nausea?” (Z)

Luwn nodded.

“It’s quite a common issue among new mothers. A great shame, really.” (L)

‘H-Huh?’

…He must’ve misheard.

“I also wanted to inform you, Princess. My home is an open home. If you need any more assistance, feel free to stop by. You don’t need to be embarrassed.” (L)

‘Senile old woman!’

Zuri stood up from his seat and eyed the elderly woman spitting nonsense.

“I have nothing to be embarrassed about!” (Z)

His body ached from the strain of getting up, but he didn’t care.

“A-And, I’ll have you know, I am not a new mother!” (Z)

… It seems he’s misjudged this elder woman—thought too highly of her.

His fault really, at the end of the day; even if she was educated, she was just a country bumpkin!

“Princess…? Are you perhaps not aware? I thought that is why you came already?” (L)

Zuri felt his cheeks burn.

He didn’t like the insinuation her words held.

“I am certainly not aware, and to presume I would engage in such vulgar acts is a crime against—!” (Z)

The elder woman held a finger to her mouth.

“What!” (Z)

She then pointed to the tea.

“This tea is a special brew. It changes colour depending on whether a pregnant woman consumes it.” (L)

And spoke in a sombre voice.

“We use it as a secretive method of confirmation. I thought you were aware, my deepest apologies.” (L)

The elderly woman reached for the tea and peered into it.

“The tea can tell us a lot. Like how far along you are and how many… how many….” (L)

Zuri’s already pounding heart was on the verge of exploding.

“What is it now!?” (Z)

The elderly woman coughed, smiled sweetly and then looked up at him.

“Congratulations, Princess! It appears you’ll be blessed with… with triplets.” (L)

“T-Triplets?” (Z)

‘No, no, no, no!’

“As… As in three children? Three children at once!?” (Z)

“Yes, Princess. Three strong, healthy little blessings.” (L)

Blessings.

Zuri felt his soul leave his body.

There was no way in hell Cleodora’s first manic attempt to impregnate him actually worked!!

“T-This can’t be right. Give a new brew at once!” (Z)

Zuri felt his weak legs give out at the thought alone.

He collapsed back into the chair, vision swimming.

A mother!? Was he seriously going to be a mother!? And of three children, no less!? Images from his past life flooded his mind: the sheer, swollen mass of the belly, the excessive weight gain, the total loss of graceful movement—reduced to waddling like a grotesque penguin. The prospect was utterly terrifying and humiliating.

Zuri cringed.

He wasn’t built for that.

No way in hell! He was much too small for crying out!!

“Redo that test right now!” (Z)

A hand came to rest on Zuri’s shoulder.

When had she come so close? Why was she touching him!?

“I am afraid the results won’t change, Princess.” (L)

“They will!” (Z)

Luwn smiled softly.

She took both of Zuri’s hands and looked him directly in the eyes.

“Princess… I know being a mother is very frightening at first.” (L)

Her voice was light and pleasant.

“But it can also be one of the most rewarding things in the world. You know, many young mothers panic just like this. Hell, I did too!” (L)

Luwn chuckled while studying his face.

“I am not panicking!” (Z)

Zuri felt his voice crack.

The smile Luwn wore grew as she nodded along.

“Yes, yes. I see. If that's the absolute truth, then I too am a young woman ready to challenge life.” (L)

Zuri’s tail began swishing back and forth as he gazed into the eyes of the decrepit old woman.

… She was mocking him, wasn’t she?

Before he could utter a rebuttal, though, the elderly woman began speaking again.

“Often in life we are burdened with things too heavy to carry.” (L)

She reached into her robe.

“And when that happens, it is best to have others around to take the load off.” (L)

A small blue glass vial was passed into his hands.

“If it is too overwhelming, you can always use this.” (L)

Is that what he thinks it is?

Greedily grabbing the vial, Zuri stuffed it into his sleeve.

“There is no shame in not being ready, Princess. Children are a blessing, yes… but they are also a great responsibility.” (L)

Zuri stiffened.

He absolutely refused to be lectured about responsibility again; it wasn’t like he wanted this.

The elderly woman patted his lap.

“When the time is right, you will be a wonderful mother.” (L)

Alright, he got what he needed.

Enough was enough.

Getting up, Zuri made a beeline to the front door.

“I will take my leave now.” (Z)

“Of course, Princess. Make sure you walk home safe.” (L)

“Sure.” (Z)

Pausing at the door, Zuri turned and gave thanks.

“…Your assistance will be remembered.” (Z)

“No problem, Princess. Feel free to come around any time.” (L)

A light smile tickled her lips.

“And I do mean my words. Be careful; you are walking for four now.” (L)

‘Tch!’

Slamming the door shut, Zuri left.

Hell will freeze over before he has children.

He’ll never become a parent!