Joon-Wo curled up on the velvety cushion beside the prince's bed, his white tail wrapped neatly around his small fox body.
The room around him was enormous—far larger than any place he had ever stayed in. Crystal chandeliers sparkled like frozen stars overhead, and the polished marble floor reflected his tiny fox silhouette perfectly.
He still couldn't believe it.
He was inside Prince Leon Glacierborn's private chamber—
the sanctuary of the most powerful and admired man in the entire kingdom.
And he…
was a fox.
A small, fluffy, helpless fox.
Joon-Wo let out a soft breath.
Just complete the task, he reminded himself.
Stay close to the prince and all tasks have to be completed
Then I can return to my human form.
The thought that he would soon be able to shift freely between human and fox gave him courage.
Maybe this world wasn't so bad after all.
But then—
Footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Prince Leon entered, dressed in a loose white shirt and dark royal trousers, his golden hair still slightly damp—as if freshly washed. He looked even more breathtaking than before, like a painting stepping out of its frame.
His deep blue eyes immediately settled on Joon-Wo.
"You look much better now," Leon said softly as he sat at the edge of the bed.
Instinctively, Joon-Wo scooted back.
He had no idea how to behave.
Should he act cute?
Show dignity?
Wag his tail?
Keep distance?
But before he could decide, Leon reached out and gently stroked his head.
Warm.
Soft.
Comforting.
Joon-Wo froze, his little fox heart thudding wildly.
"There's no need to be afraid," Leon murmured.
"Snowflake."
The name made Joon-Woo's ears burn with embarrassment.
Leon continued petting him, melting his hesitation like frost under sunlight. No one had ever touched him with such tenderness—neither in his old world nor in this one.
Then Leon lifted him gently and placed him on his lap.
"You must be hungry."
He called a servant, who soon returned with a tray filled with fresh fruits, cooked meat, and a warm bowl of milk.
Joon-Wo sniffed the food.
His stomach growled loudly.
Leon chuckled.
"Eat."
Unable to resist, Joon-Wo nibbled eagerly. Warmth spread through his tiny fox body. When he finished, Leon wiped his mouth with a soft cloth—treating him like something precious.
Joon-Wo nearly melted.
Is this… what it feels like to be pampered by royalty?
He was just beginning to relax when—
A sharp knock struck the door.
"Your Highness," a guard announced, "the council requests your presence immediately."
Leon sighed. "Again…"
He placed Snowflake back onto his cushion.
"I'll return soon."
As Prince Leon left the room, Joon-Wo watched his tall, regal silhouette fade beyond the doorway.
At that moment, a glowing system window appeared before his eyes.
[Congratulations!
First Task Completed.]
[Reward Granted: Golden Apple]
A small golden fruit materialized before him, shimmering with gentle magic.
Joon-Woo's eyes widened.
Finally… my reward!
Without hesitation, he grasped the Golden Apple between his paws and took a bite.
Warm energy surged through him—golden light swirling around him like a cocoon. His heart pounded. His body shifted.
He closed his eyes—
—and when he opened them again, he was no longer a fox.
He was standing upright.
On human legs.
With human hands.
A human form.
Joon-Wo stared at himself in disbelief.
His skin was pale and luminous.
His hair—white as fallen snow.
And his eyes—glowing purple, bright like polished rubies, shimmering with otherworldly brilliance.
His face was delicate and ethereal, as though sculpted from moonlight.
But—
He reached up with trembling fingers.
Soft fur brushed against his hand.
His fox ears twitched.
His fluffy white tail swayed behind him.
"W-What… I still have these?" he whispered.
He stepped toward the polished mirror and froze completely.
He looked unreal—a snow-haired boy with ruby-violet eyes, fox ears, and a white tail, glowing like a spirit caught between two worlds.
Is this… really me?
He was still staring, stunned, when—
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Someone was approaching.
Panic jolted through him.
Without thinking, he shifted back into fox form. His body shrank, tail curled, ears flattened.
By the time the footsteps reached the door—
He was once again a small white fox, sitting innocently on the cushion—
as if nothing had happened at all.