Chapter 261

Daphne

Wow.

Getting the update from the system, tensions are definitely rising in the harem.

I don’t mind. That is my job, after all. To break the harem.

It seems like Jess—Edith—is doing exceptionally well. Honestly, better than expected. Which is excellent news for me, because it means I get to slack off and focus on what actually matters.

My bunny.

My sweet, beloved bunny.

...Speaking of which.

Where is she?

I tap my claw lightly against the armrest of my chair, irritation crawling beneath my skin for no discernible reason. I’ve been restless lately. More on edge than usual.

It’s... annoying.

Concerning, even.

I mentally call for the system.

The world freezes instantly. Sound dies. Color drains into monochrome. The familiar purple orb flickers into existence in front of me, hovering far too smugly for an artificial construct.

"What’s wrong with me?" I ask flatly.

The orb spins. Pauses.

Hesitates.

My eyes narrow.

"...Spit it out."

[The host is experiencing... heat.]

The wooden armrest beneath my hand splinters with a sharp crack.

"...What," I say slowly, very carefully, "do you mean by heat?"

The orb brightens, projecting text and diagrams I very much do not appreciate.

[In this world, sentient species inherit not only the physical traits of their animal lineage, but also reproductive cycles tied to instinctual need to be bre—]

"That’s enough," I snap.

The system cuts off immediately.

Color floods back into the world as the orb vanishes, leaving me alone with the implications.

Heat.

Absolutely not. I do not desire to be bred.The mere suggestion makes my skin crawl and my instincts revolt violently against themselves. I would literally rather set myself on fire.

I lean back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, jaw tight.

Still... now that I know what’s happening, at least the source of this constant agitation makes sense.

I exhale slowly through my nose.

Great.

I curse, not for the first time, this world’s utter lack of modern conveniences.For instance sex toys.

Looks like I’ll have to go the old fashioned way, I rise from my seat, smoothing my clothes, tail flicking irritably behind me.

***

Lumiya

I can’t believe this.

I scoff softly, watching the fox walk past me in the corridor without so much as a glance. Her steps are measured, too deliberate to be accidental.

At first, I told myself it was coincidence. That I was imagining the slight turns of her head, the careful way she adjusted her path so we never quite collided. But now, after the third time, the pattern is impossible to ignore.

She is avoiding me.

We were never friends. That much is true. But neither were we enemies. There was an understanding between us , a quiet civility born from occupying the same orbit around His Highness.

Or so I thought.

I quicken my steps, irritation tightening in my chest.

"Lady Moonfox," I call out. "A word."

She pauses. Just for a heartbeat, then she turns, tail swishing lazily behind her, her expression carefully neutral.

"Of course," she replies, her tone formal, distant.

We stand there, facing one another in the middle of the hallway, students passing by in murmurs and glances. I note how composed she looks — unbothered, almost serene. As if she hasn’t just spent days deliberately icing me out.

"Have I offended you?" I ask directly. There’s no point circling. "If so, I’d prefer to know."

Her ears twitch.

"No," she says simply. "You haven’t."

"Then why?" I ask, folding my arms across my chest.

"I do not understand what you mean," she replies, feigning ignorance far too smoothly.

I notice the way a few students have slowed, their gazes lingering a second too long.

Whispers are already beginning to coil at the edges of the corridor.

"Let’s talk somewhere private," I say coolly.

She hesitates. For a moment, I think she’ll refuse out of sheer spite but she notices it too. The attention. The spectacle we’re becoming.

"...Very well," she says.

We find an empty classroom nearby. The door closes behind us with a soft click. The silence inside feels heavier than the hallway ever did.

I turn to face her, folding my arms once more.

"We’ve always maintained a cordial relationship," I say. "I do not understand where this sudden animosity is coming from."

She tilts her head slightly, expression unreadable.

"How would you know?" she replies. "We have never once shared a private conversation."

"That doesn’t answer the question," I say. "And yet you’ve chosen now to make your disdain obvious."

She shrugs, tail flicking lazily. "I’ve decided it’s no longer necessary to be... cordial with you."

I exhale through my nose, irritation simmering beneath my composure.

"Well," I say, "if we are to continue being around His Highness, I suggest we do so on friendlier terms."

Her lips curve.

"Ah," she says softly. "That is precisely the issue, Lady Snowfrost."

She turns and begins walking toward the door.

"You might not be around His Highness for much longer."

I do not show it, but my heart lurches to the ground.I step forward and block her path before she can leave.

"Pray tell," I say tightly, "what do you mean by that?"

She stops, finally looking at me fully.

"Oh," she replies lightly, "I mean that with you and Lady Veyron vying for the same seat, there can only be one winner."

Her eyes glint.

"And since it’s time to choose sides," she continues, "I’ve chosen hers." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The words settle like frost in my veins, freezing me inside out.

"You’re making a mistake," I say quietly.

"Perhaps," she replies. "But at least I’m making a choice...my choice."

I hold her gaze, refusing to step aside.Her smile is foxlike, certainly in her nature.Silence stretches between us.

Then she gently nudges past me, opening the door.

"Oh," she says over her shoulder, almost kindly, "do try not to take it personally."

The door closes behind her.

I remain where I am, heart pounding, nails biting into my palms, my claws starting to draw blood.