Mama Fox

<Cleodora>

‘She going to die’

The words of the herbalist stirred Cleodora’s mind awake.

Slowly getting up from bed, she walked over to the bathroom with an unsteady pace.

‘If you can’t change and listen, the pregnancy is not going to be your only last concern’

Standing under the shower, Cleodora mulled over the words.

Her back supported by the cold walls.

…They didn’t make sense.

The words of the herbalist that it.

Her wife… Zuri was well. She was better than well, really. Her cutting words, sharp glare and pensive attitude were clear markers of this truth. Zuri was fine. If something was wrong with her, Cleodora would’ve been the first person to notice. Given their shared history, it wasn’t hard for Cleodora to spot the signs. If unwell or truly upset, Zuri would not speak like that. She wouldn’t speak at all even. When unwell or dissatisfied, Zuri completely disengages. Refusing to speak, eat or do much of anything.

In the past, whenever she was scolded by their Majesties, she wouldn’t speak for a couple of days to a week.

Not even they were spared from such treatment.

It was why Cleodora was confident in her wellness.

‘Are you sure?’

The words of the herbalist echoed once more.

And at them, Cleodora hadn’t been able to strongly answer.

The reason for which was simple… that… that was a long time ago.

Just like her, Zuri had changed.

It wasn’t apparent at first, but the longer Cleordora stayed, the clearer it became. From entertaining the kids back at the village to helping around the house and basically taking care of her, there was no denying it. Zuri had gotten much kinder. The things she was casually doing now were unimaginable in the past. In the past, Zuri had been a bit of a… tyrant of sorts. Always commanding people around without the slightest consideration of them. She was highly dismissive of anyone she thought beneath her.

The title Iron-Mouth Princess was a very fitting one. Hard-earned after she insulted the then Head General of the Salvation Army, calling them a ‘disgusting eyesore’. Relations with the army are still poor today due to that. Most, if not all, Kitsune took their Princess’s disapproval personally. Believing that they must’ve done something to offend despite Zuri’s well-known nature. If not for Cleodora, they would be non-existent. If not for Cleodora, a relation between the Army and Kitsune people would be nonexistent.

But.

It wasn’t like she couldn’t be pleasant at the time. For example, she would let relatives hug her for as long as they wanted despite vocally hating it. Unfortunately, such pleasantries were only reserved for immediate family. Zuri had no friends because of this. In fact, beside Cleodora’s innate talent in magic, the main reason she was adopted was to be a friend to Zuri. She was the only child who wouldn’t run away from Zuri despite her temperament.

Stepping out of the shower, Cleodora began drying herself.

Things… things had undeniably changed.

Acknowledging that made her hesitate when trying to confidently assess Zuri’s condition.

She appeared fine, yet Cleodora couldn’t be certain like before.

‘She going to die’

The words of the herbalist rang one final time as Cleodora returned to her room.

She was being metaphoric, right? She didn’t literally mean that.

Doubt consumed Cleodora’s mind as she sat down.

One heavy thought lingered.

‘Was there something she was seeing that I couldn’t?’

Confronting the herbalist on her dangerous claim led nowhere.

The old woman kept spouting nonsense about being gentle, sweet and not aggressive.

Something Cleodora was already perfect at.

‘Ugh’

A stabbing pain suddenly flared in Cleodora’s heart the moment that thought came to mind.

Images of a crying Zuri came to mind as she clutched her chest.

‘No… that was….’

That was different.

The situation had just gotten a little out of hand—

‘I’m saying this for your own good. If you don’t control yourself, she’ll hate you forever!’

Cleodora took a deep breath.

She then got up and started putting on the clothes neatly folded on her bed.

In an attempt to calm her rapidly beating heart, she thought of yesterday.

She thought of Zuri’s deliciously made snacks.

She thought of her enchanting green eyes.

She thought of her clever remarks and bewitching voice.

Cleodora thought of all of it and felt her heart grow light.

Whatever had happened yesterday was special in a way words couldn’t capture.

…Whatever happened yesterday only happened due to her acting on the old bat’s advice.

Listening.

She listened to Zuri’s words, and the outcome was incredible.

Finished putting on her clothes, Cleodora stepped out of the room.

Walking down the halls of the house, she stopped and peeped her head inside the kitchen.

A lovely aroma instantly assaulted her nose.

And, standing there, wrapped in an apron, was the most beautiful woman in the world.

Her small frame and unassuming height were offset by a natural, magnetic presence. Framing her face was a crop of white hair that transitioned seamlessly into the flow of her silk robes. The same snowy fur covered her ears and tail; the former flicked at every sound while the latter lashed back and forth in a slow, rhythmic sway. It was a charming sight, though her expression was anything but; her face was set in a firm, disgruntled pout.

Cleodora watched as Zuri sighed, grabbed a spice from the side, and dumped more than half of it inside.

Seeing her like this, completely unaware yet still so effortlessly beautiful, was quite the treat.

Many must’ve dreamed of such a sight when they first saw her, but only Cleodora would ever get to witness it.

Cleodora went on to watch Zuri for a while.

She watched as she paced back and forth, she watched as she threw out a complete batch of soup, she watched as she cursed at the now empty pot….

The longer Cleodora watched, the faster an old, familiar feeling welled up in her.

The desire to grab Zuri, take her to the bedroom, and claim her once more was overwhelming.

Cleodora could already imagine her pure, nude form.

Despite Zuri wearing very conservative, enveloping clothing, Cleodora found herself studying and gazing at her body.

…There was something tremendously erotic about her wear.

Her wife was just too irresistible.

The moment Cleodora thought that, she turned away and sank to the ground.

‘Ah…’

It was getting worse.

That familiar desire was steadily getting worse.

Gazing down and seeing a strain in her clothes, Cleodora grimaced. Despite her repeated efforts in taming it, it was still giving her problems. The thing that had used to bother her maybe once or twice in a day had transformed. Transformed into a monster that needed to be defeated at least five times a day and even then, would still bother her once Zuri was close by. As of now, Cleodora had no desire to go back on her word with Zuri, and that required taking care of this before things got out of hand.

Ha…

She should’ve taken care of this in the shower.

“Ah, you are already here? Come make yourself useful!” (Z)

A sweet voice called to Cleodora.

Turning and seeing Zuri in the doorway, she froze.

“…Sure, but let me use the bathroom first. I have to go so bad.” (C)

Cleodora laughed lightly.

Zuri scowled immediately.

“I don’t remember asking if you did.” (Z)

Standing over a pot of stew, Cleodora waited for instruction.

“…Why are you hunched over?” (Z)

“I-I slept badly?” (C)

Zuri made a noise that was somewhere in-between annoyance and irritation.

After a sigh and short murmur to herself, she grabbed the ladle.

“Taste.” (Z)

From the smell alone, Cleodora already knew what she was making. Swecorn, a signature dish of the Kitsune. A brothy, milk-white stew that was the ideal meal for the morning. Sweet and savoury, it was the right meal for those seeking something light while still being somewhat filling. Stuffed with vegetables only grown in their lands, it was a meal Cleodora couldn’t have dreamt of in the army.

Passing this up would be the regret of a lifetime.

She took a sip of the stew.

“Is it too sweet?” (Z)

Expectant eyes glanced up at Cleodora.

After a moment of silence, she replied.

“…Perhaps a bit too bitter?” (C)

Struggling not to spit the concoction burning her throat.

“Bitter?” (Z)

Swallowing the stew, Cleodora nodded.

Zuri moved closer with doubtful eyes.

“Really?” (Z)

‘A-Ah, too close!’

Bending forward, Cleodora tried to hide the raising nuance.

Unfortunately, that brought her closer to the direct cause.

Zuri directly looked Cleodora in the eyes and asked the question again in an innocent tone.

“Is it really bitter?” (Z)

Cleodora felt her heart skip a beat.

Abruptly dashing to the door, she left Zuri standing alone.

“Huh?” (Z)

“B-Bathroom!” (C)

Many thoughts ran in Cleodora’s mind as she stripped in the bathroom.

But underpinning them was one simple thing.

She would do whatever it takes to make Zuri truly her wife.