Mama Fox

<Cleodora>

Days passed peacefully.

Long walks up the beautiful mountainside, idle chatting by the crystal-clear pond, and quiet nights eating delicious homemade food. Happiness may exist in many forms, but none could compare to this simplicity. Neither the vast riches of the soil nor the great renown of others could fill one’s heart like the company of those you cherish. It holds a special place in life, more special than anything else.

It was due to this that Cleodora felt her existence grow closer to the fairy tales of old. One where the hero comes back home after a succession journey and lives happily ever after…. Things had gotten a little shaky on the happily ever after part, but the worst was behind. And that was mostly due to that agreement formed. Ever since the agreement formed, Cleodora’s relationship with Zuri improved dramatically.

She was much more open to spending time together.

No longer did she outright refuse all requests. Sure, she may still decline about a third of them, but she was visibly kinder about it. And, to the ones she agreed to, the energy she carried while doing them was spectacular. She was engaged, present and actively participating in the activity. From agreeing to a couple of additional dates to teaching Cleodora how to paint, she never did anything half-baked.

A truth Cleodora took great pride in.

The process may be slow, but it was evident they were getting closer to one another.

It was merely a matter of time before they became true lovers.

In that regard, everything was going well… which was exactly why Cleodora felt nervous now.

“We need to talk.” (Z)

The words uttered by Zuri’s soft, alluring voice after dinner were dangerous.

Sitting in the living room, Cleodora tried to steady her breath.

Currently, Zuri was sitting right beside her. Having not spoken since her sudden declaration at dinner’s end…. Honestly speaking, Zuri sitting so closely was stimulating in all the wrong ways. From her alluring scent to bewitching gaze, it was increasingly becoming hard to focus. A horrid fact, given the discussion to follow, was bound to be serious, going off by her tone.

“Cleodora.” (Z)

“Y-Yes!” (C)

Startled by the sudden call, Cleodora gave a shout of affirmation.

Zuri locked gazes with her, seemingly about to say something before hesitating and ultimately looking away.

A silence took hold of the room.

One that stretched on for a couple of minutes until Zuri spoke again.

Her gaze still astray.

“A-Are you struggling with anything as of late?” (Z)

An uncharacteristic uncertainty laced her voice.

Cleodora was quick to reassure.

“Nope! Everything is just fine!!” (C)

Unfortunately, it was the wrong move.

Zuri was quick to re-engage eyes for the sole purpose of telling her off.

“Cleodora…!” (Z)

Another silence took hold of the conversation as Cleodora searched through her memories. Something she was struggling with? After a short while, she drew a hard blank. There was absolutely nothing coming to mind. Cleodora’s response was undoubtedly quick, but it wasn’t incorrect. In the quaint country village, there was nothing that could realistically challenge her enough for Cleodora to struggle.

Sadly, that was a bad answer.

Seeing Zuri’s tail swish back and forth with growing intensity, it was clear she was expecting something.

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I am talking about!” (Z)

A faint blush was visible on her face.

“…I saw you what you were doing the other day.” (Z)

‘The other day?’

She averted her gaze once more before softly muttering under her breath.

“The bedroom.” (Z)

The sound of Cleodora’s pounding heart drowned her senses.

A doom, foreboding in nature, took her.

Those words. Those two words likely meant one thing.

She had been caught.

A sudden nausea took Cleodora as she looked up to see Zuri with her gaze astray.

‘No, no, no, no!’

She hadn’t meant to do that in her room! It was just that after spending the majority of that particular day with Zuri, it was hard not to think of anything else. Also, having not relieved herself earlier in the morning contributed to that one-off mistake. It was horrible, really. For this to come out right when things were getting really good was bad timing. If Zuri were to think that was against their agreement, it might reset the progress they’ve made.

‘No…’

An image of a tear-stained Zuri appeared in mind.

It didn’t feel good.

Cleodora had tried hard, super hard, to improve.

To think she’d fail over a moment of weakness…. How pathetic.

“I could help you out a little if need be….” (Z)

The words gently murmured in a begrudging tone caused Cleodora to pause.

Cleodora stared at Zuri, who was still turned away, incredulous.

Had… Had she heard that right?

“Only a little though!” (Z)

The message was repeated.

…Was she not angry?

Dumfounded, Cleodora slowly spoke up.

“…I can take care of myself.” (C)

Zuri’s gaze turned back to Cleodora.

The sharpness in them imparting a hard, clear message.

No.

“I’ve gotten better at controlling myself.” (C)

“Do you take me for a fool? You think I haven’t noticed your lecherous gaze?” (Z)

The quick reply caused Cleodora to bow her head.

“I… You… WE need to take care of this issue before it gets out of hand… again.” (Z)

What an offer.

Peeking up at Zuri, Cleodora felt her heart race again, albeit for a different reason. If Zuri was suggesting what Cleodora thought, then it was an offer any sane person would take. An opportunity to lie with the most beautiful woman in the world was special. Yet, she hesitated on readily accepting such an offer. This offer was unquestionably against the agreement form but a short month ago. To break the agreement so early on meant an uncertain future.

“T-The agreement….” (C)

“I know, okay? This will be the only exception….” (Z)

Zuri’s ears began flickering occasionally after those words.

Disoriented, Cleodora felt her hands tremble slightly.

…Was this too sudden?

It didn’t feel right.

“I will ask this only one more time.” (Z)

Yet, when the question was asked…

“Do you need help?” (Z)

She couldn’t say no.

“…Yes.” (C)

Cleodora’s face was burning.

She hadn’t expected Zuri to promptly outline exactly what would occur out of the blue.

Hours had passed, and they were now just finishing.

It went without saying there were a lot of strings attached to this sweet deal.

But. Somehow, that made it even more erotic.

“And lastly, there’s one last thing we need to clear up.” (Z)

Zuri, a shade of bright pink, looked to Cleodora.

“I. Am. Not. Having any more children, no matter the circumstances, okay?” (Z)

She gestured to her belly.

“These three will be first and last, understood?” (Z)

“…Really?” (C)

After all they talked about?

If things kept going in this direction, there would be only one natural result.

“Yes, really! Do I need to remind you I didn’t want these three in the first place?” (Z)

“But what if you change your mind?” (C)

“I won’t.” (Z)

“But what if you—” (C)

“Agree, or you can forget about me ever helping you.” (Z)

Cleodora quieted.

“…Okay.” (C)

Zuri gave a satisfied hum.

“Good.” (Z)

She then crossed her arms and muttered almost too faintly to hear.

“Now go to the bedroom and do as I instructed.” (Z)

‘H-Huh!?’

“W-We’re doing it now?” (C)

“Obviously! Why did you think I brought this up now?” (Z)

This was a little too soon!

Cleodora still needed to prepare herself mentally. The things Zuri planned to do were a bit… extreme.

“I-Isn’t it a bit late for—” (C)

“Go!” (Z)

“Uh, oh, okay…!” (C)

The clattering of dishes rang as Cleodora’s rapid rise shook their home.

“Don’t destroy the house, damn it!” (Z)

“R-Right!” (C)

The mountains truly were beautiful.

Cleo had a good eye.

Adjusting her cloak to cover her ears and tail, Nori smiled.

Having ditched her convoy a little way back, she was able to cut down her travel time by a solid day.

The result of which stood right before her.

A quaint little village.

The sun had long dipped below the horizon but that wouldn’t slow her journey.

She needed to visit that happy little couple hiding out here.

She needed to visit her sweet baby sister.