Irene woke up with a soft groan. She was sleeping on her side, her pink hair spread all over the bed. Morning birds sang outside her room.
When she lifted her torso and sat up, she felt a weight around her waist that stopped her from moving any further. She pulled back the sheets, revealing Hanami sleeping while clinging to her hips.
'Did you sneak in again while I was asleep?' Irene thought, her expression drowsy and her hair messy. 'I'm honestly surprised by how quiet and light you are when you crawl into my bed. With my sharp senses and light sleep, I've never managed to wake up and catch you in these three years.'
Irene yawned and gently removed Hanami's arm. She got out of bed wearing a pink nightgown. She liked sleeping light, so it was short enough to cover only halfway down her thighs.
She walked a bit and unfastened her nightwear, letting it fall to the floor until she stood naked. She didn't wear underwear when she slept. She stepped into her bathroom and took a long, cold shower.
When she came out, her mood had improved considerably. She stood in front of the mirror, her face glowing: neatly styled hair, a sweet fragrance, and a long-sleeved black dress that reached her thighs, leaving her collarbones and shoulders exposed. On her legs, she wore black stockings that went just above her knees.
"Yes, this is much more my style," she said to herself, her eyes shining like stars. "Now, the perfect finishing touch for my precious new body."
She picked up a black choker and fastened it around her neck. Satisfied with her appearance, she posed in front of the mirror. Left, right, a spin. Eventually, a small giggle escaped her lips, and she said:
"I'm so happy! I always wanted to wear so many kinds of clothes, but… honestly, my old body wouldn't allow it. I looked ridiculous. Of course, I think about my family and friends… but realistically, we only talked once in a while, and we didn't have the best relationship. Still, every time I see this new body, I just can't stay depressed."
Her pink tail swayed from side to side. Irene brought her feet together, bent her knees slightly, and pulled her clenched hands close to her chest. Her body was tense from the happiness she was trying to contain. The only thing she couldn't calm was her tail, wagging rapidly.
"And I definitely inherited all the perfection and beauty of my new mother. My body developed really well," she said as she grabbed her breasts and pressed them together. "I'm so hot I could become arrogant and full of myself, and no one would complain because I'm pretty, ha, ha."
She relaxed her posture, spreading her feet apart, and murmured in a calmer tone:
"But I won't use this life to become that kind of person. It's been a month since I turned eighteen; it's time to make my decision."
She looked to her right, where the princess tiara rested. It was mostly gold, with a single ruby gem in the center. She placed it on her head and said to herself in the mirror:
"I'm going to see my mother."
◇◆◇
She headed to her mother's private study, the place where she spent most of her time. Irene entered without knocking, as she was the only one with that privilege; not even the king was allowed inside without knocking first.
The study was filled with bookshelves, and dozens of books were scattered across the floor. Anyone who didn't know her would think someone had broken in to steal her belongings.
Irene carefully stepped around each sheet of paper as she looked inside, where, two meters above the ground, she could see her mother's back. She was seated in front of a round window, daylight pouring in and illuminating everything.
All Irene could see was her long pink hair, her stretched and fluffy ears, and seven tails swaying in different directions. They moved so slowly that it felt like watching a seductive, soothing dance.
"Mother," Irene said warmly.
"Ara, the love of my life has come to see me," her mother replied, glancing at her over her shoulder.
Irene laughed softly and answered:
"You heard me before I even came in."
"I'm always aware of your whereabouts, my beloved child," she replied with a subtle giggle that carried a faint hint of eroticism.
Her mother's gaze was deeply maternal, yet at the same time seductive, as if her mind were filled with lust. Irene stepped a little closer and said:
"I know. That's exactly why I had to come see you."
She smiled and stood up. She was a tall woman, about five feet ten inches tall. Her body was well-developed without losing its slender figure.
She wore a long kimono, open at the sides, layered with light, translucent silk fabrics in ivory white, pale pink, and cream, adorned with golden details. The neckline was modest yet pronounced, and her legs were visible through the sides.
'Oh my God, what a woman… I admire everything about her body. Not even an SSR rank would do her justice,' Irene thought, her gaze unfocused.
"What do you desire from me, my beloved child?"
"Mother… I came to speak with you about something important I've been planning for years. And now that I'm of age, I intend to carry it out."
"Ara, carry it out? Are you really that sure?"
"Yes."
Her mother smiled, relaxing her eyelids without losing that erotic aura. She walked closer and sat down on a brown piece of furniture, gesturing for Irene to sit in front of her, as they usually did. Irene agreed and knelt before her slender legs, wearing black heels.
"Tell me, my beloved child, what brilliant plan does your cute little head have?"
Irene's heart fluttered. Her fingers began to tremble, and her stomach twisted. Her nerves rose; she knew her mother spoiled her, but she still commanded great authority. She didn't always give Irene the answer she wanted.
"Before I tell you, I want to ask you something about your husband."
"What did my beloved Ronel do this time?" she asked with a smile.
"Are you the owner of the Aetheris bloodline?"
A soft laugh escaped her mother's lips. She covered her mouth with her hand, as if posing for a photograph.
'This woman is so elegant! I want to be like her!'
"My beloved little fox, what a question. Do you see any other kitsunes roaming around here?"
"No…"
"Then you already know that my beloved Ronel is the owner of the royal bloodline. I belong to another species, far away from this country."
Irene looked at her curiously from her position; her mother rested her hands on her thighs. That answer dampened Irene's mood slightly.
'That means I'd be thrown out of the castle if I caused trouble… Should I tell her what Ronel does underground? What if I ruined my mother's life?'
"Why so quiet, Irene?" she asked.
"Um. I was just thinking about something. Do you truly love the life you have here in the castle?"
"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I? I can live peacefully enough to write my novels."
Irene smiled tenderly and said:
"That's your greatest passion, isn't it?"
"Yes. I can't live if I don't write something every day."
"I'll always read your novels, Mother."
"That's what I want most: to never lose my beloved number-one fan. If I ever write something you don't like, I'll erase it immediately."
"Don't do that, Mother, hehe. Think about your other readers."
"You're the most important one to me. I'll always strive to please you as a reader, of course, without losing my own narrative touch," she said, winking. "That reminds me: you've been writing drafts of your novel about Iris for years; why don't you finally decide on something? I want to read your stories too."
"I-I'm not as good a writer as you are, Mother; besides, I'm still thinking the idea through."
"The more you overthink something, the less confidence you'll have in yourself. Just work up the courage to publish your idea; your success probably won't even start with the novel you're obsessing over."
"That's easy for you to say; you're already very famous," Irene commented with an awkward smile. "Your readers love anything you write."
"I didn't start out with a name; it was the result of many failures. When I finally made a name for myself, I used those ideas that failed and were once read. So hurry up and bring me your first volume. I'm eager to read you, my beloved child."
Irene lowered her gaze slightly, smiling. Her mother remained silent for a while, until she spoke again:
"Now tell me what's troubling you. I deliberately let the topic drift so you'd stop being tense."
Irene took a breath to calm her heart. She had to say it now; she had decided, and she didn't want to back down at this point. She respected her mother too much, but she needed an answer. As an adult, she firmly refused to turn a blind eye.
"Mother…," she lifted her gaze, her expression serious and fearful at the same time. "Are you aware of what's happening beneath the castle?"