The Fox Spirit's Rescue

As I leaped into the darkness, I was certain it was the end. But before my body could touch the water, someone caught me. My body felt weightless in their arms, and then everything faded to black.

I slowly regained consciousness. My vision was still blurry, but I could feel the softness of a bed beneath me. I tried to sit up and look around. This room… it was too luxurious, too grand—like a palace. The high ceiling was adorned with intricate carvings, soft crystal lights glowed from above, and expensive fabrics draped elegantly over every corner.

Suddenly, a voice came from the doorway.

"You're awake?"

I flinched and turned my head.

Standing before me was a tall, handsome man with a strong build. His long, silver-white hair flowed freely, and his striking blue eyes gleamed like the night sky. His gaze was filled with curiosity, yet there was something about it that felt intimidating.

I tried to get up, but my body was too weak. My legs trembled, and I fell back onto the bed. The man chuckled lightly.

"Who are you?" I asked weakly.

He didn't answer right away, only offering a faint smile.

And then it all came back to me. Selene… her betrayal… I… I had been sacrificed.

Before I could stop myself, tears streamed down my face. I lowered my head, pressing my back against the wall, my shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

The man approached and crouched down in front of me.

"What's wrong?" His voice was softer now.

I sobbed, then started telling him everything—about the lottery, about Selene's betrayal, about how I had wanted to end it all.

He listened silently, then placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Don't cry," he said.

I looked up at him, and for the first time since last night, I felt a little calmer.

"Thank you," I whispered.

I tried to give him a small smile, and he returned it.

He gently wiped my tears.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"You're in the Fox Demon Kingdom," he answered casually.

My eyes widened. "What?! The Fox Demon Kingdom?"

Suddenly, everything made sense—his inhuman appearance, the extravagant place… I remembered now.

I furrowed my brows and asked again, "Why did you save me last night?"

He gazed at me for a moment before replying, "Because you must live."

His answer felt strange. "Who are you, really?"

A small smirk appeared on his face.

"My name is Rei. I am the King of the Fox Demons."

My body stiffened. "Y-You… The King of the Fox Demons?"

Rei simply laughed at my reaction.

"Hahaha, don't be so scared."

My heart was still pounding. I slowly backed away, eyeing him warily.

"So, did you save me just so you could eat me?" I asked cautiously.

Rei was silent for a moment, then laughed even harder. "Who would want to eat you?" he said, clearly amused.

I grew more confused. "If not that, then what do you want? Don't tell me you take young girls every month just to make them your concubines?"

Rei looked at me with a playful expression. "You have quite the imagination."

I began to panic. "Even if I die, I won't surrender my body to you!" I wrapped my arms around myself, terrified.

Rei sighed and shook his head.

"I'm not interested in your body."

I was still trembling, but suddenly, my body weakened. My vision blurred, and I collapsed onto the floor.

Rei's expression shifted to concern.

"What's wrong?"

With a faint voice, I answered, "I haven't eaten… since yesterday… My parents wouldn't give me food…"

Rei immediately turned toward the door and called for a servant. "Bring food, now."

Moments later, a servant arrived with a tray full of food. Rei took a bowl and began feeding me himself.

I stared at him suspiciously. "What do you even want from me? Even if I die, I won't give my body to you!"

Rei's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "What if I lock you in my room? No one would dare to save you."

My heart pounded even harder. "W-What?!"

Rei simply smirked, challenging me.

As soon as I regained some strength after eating, I bolted, running as fast as I could.

But before I could get far, in the blink of an eye, Rei was already in front of me, effortlessly capturing me.

My eyes widened in shock. "Y-You… You're so fast!"

Rei chuckled. "Escaping from me won't be that easy, Lunara."

I froze in place.

Wait…

I never told him my name.

"H-How do you know my name?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Rei only smiled mysteriously.

"Who… are you really?" I whispered, realizing that something much bigger was happening behind all of this.