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The Orphan Fox
Chapter 31: Dress up and Family

Chapter 31: Dress up and Family

Being suddenly kidnapped by Anna and Saria, I try to struggle as we go to my room. Sadly, even though my abilities far overpower anyone of my age, against this true-adult dragoness Saria, it is useless. Maybe in speed I could beat her, but she can easily outmaneuver me using her wisdom and experience.

While still being carried like a bag of potatoes, all of us arrive in the mansion. I could understand if Alice joined us, but why are Elrion and Cyan here as well?

(AN: Your Cuteness is too strong, and with costume... cute-nuke incoming!)

But still, those guys aside, I tried to plead them to help me, but Cyan only looks down, probably because he knows he doesn't have a chance, while Elrion made an embarrassed expression, acting like nothing is wrong. Somehow, I am a bit disappointed...

Though I can't feel malice from anyone, but I still feel like I am in danger. Well, this is a dress-up, so I may just enjoy it like back then in the orphanage. I did have fun back then, and if someone asked if I would wear costumes for parties or carnival, I would agree. So with that though, we all arrive in my room.

Arriving there, Saria suddenly runs off, yelling something about not letting me go. Meanwhile, Anna rubs her hands, looking through my clothes in the drawer on the wall. Luckily, I carry most of the unusual clothes in my spatial ring, so there shouldn't be anything weird beneath my usual stuff. Anyway, just as my hope comes back, I can see Saria enter the room, with a large box in her arms.

Setting the box down on the ground, she opens the lid and takes out several sets of clothing my size. There was a overly dramatic Butler-uniform, a sailors outfit and even a set of what appears to be viking-like clothes.

Seeing those, I wonder where she had them from, or when she made them... how did she even get my sizes?

Anyway, the next sentence coming from Saria actually scared me again.

“So, I heard that young masters growth-rate is actually halved from Sir Geyser, so I made those costumes, hoping you might like them, since you have a lot of time to try them on.” (Saria)

Showing a radiant smile with hidden intent, she lays the clothes out in front of me, causing not only me, but even Anna and the rest to become astonished. There are more than seven sets of different clothing, all in my size, and all of them made of high-class material. Honestly, I do feel like I am being taken advantage of, but seeing those costumes, my inner playfulness comes forth, wanting to try them on.

Maybe even I missed dressing up as something different. Anyway, with those words and preparations done, Anna even opened a small box with colors, wanting to paint my face a bit. And so my afternoon fashion-time begun. Also, Alice wasn't here, but I heard she took interest in Dareks kitchen, as both of them keep exchanging about cooking and their recipes.

Back to the topic, just as I want to speak, Anna's colored paint is applied to my face, just above my nose, causing me to giggle due to the ticklish feeling.

---POV-Change: Elrion---

Watching the young master Arin, giggling as he is being painted on the forehead, I begin to remember my own past.

I remember playing with my nephew sometimes, he would also giggle like that from time to time, but that was already long ago. He would always laugh if someone tickled him on the lower side of his small horns, as he was always in his dragon-form. Well, he never reached the stage to become a true adult like me, but he was still a formidable dragon... even his father, my brother, was a great man. I always looked up to him, maybe that's why I joined the Dragon-Guards ranks?

Anyway, Brother eventually married, with my cute nephew being the result of this. But as expected, after the loss of his son, my nephew, due to the hateful humans, Brother was so devastated that he lost himself, wandering onto an old grave-yard, losing himself to the echoes.

Many tried to stop Brother and bring him back to sanity, but the blood-rage was too strong, causing him to be put down to not risk others.

His wife, me, the whole family, we were all devastated, and even though nearly a thousand years passed since then, I still remember those times. I may have gotten over the pain, but I would never forget.

Anyway, I later then quit the military, and served on other jobs... until I got hired by the mountains guardian herself, appointed as a butler for Aaron Geyser, an Ancient Dragon returning to the mountains.

I often heard rumors about him, as the Dragon who stayed thousands of years in one location, only to protect the remains of his loved ones... could I do that too?

Anyway, unlike expected, Sir Geyser brought a child with him. He was a small boy, appearing to be no older than six or seven, yet already at the tender age of eight, nearly nine. The boy's turned out to be the young master, going by the name of his parents. His name: Arin Regium.

When I first saw him, I though I saw an angel. His silver hair shone in the night when they arrived, and his appearance was delicate yet radiated a strong aura. Of course, the aura was still amateurish, but it was there non the less. With that said, he greeted all of us with a smile, causing me to remember my nephew from back then, a truly innocent smile. Though, I could even see some of my coworkers, the maids, slightly become red due to it, so I had to suppress my laughter.

But unlike him, the master, Sir Geyser radiated strength to no measure, but he has a gentle, even if slightly mischievous side. As much as I already could figure out, the master is slightly overprotective of his little nephew, causing me to ask myself if it hadn't been better for me to be just like that as well.

Back to the topic, unlike what most people believe the young master to be, he has a total of ten tails, as well as a high-human body, making him something special. Yet unlike expected, the young master didn't bother with formalities and loved to play around, but didn't neglect his studies and training either.

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He is very playful, and even introduced a great game to me and the others, even causing me to have my first sleepless night in years. That aside, he is very caring and, as obvious recently, he is very sensitive to malice... I wonder how.

Anyway, over the past month, even he started to grow on me, making me remember painful, yet good times. I don't know if I should loathe or love him for that, but seeing his smile, I remind myself that he has nothing to do with this. And honestly, I enjoy having him around, as my job as a butler just became a tad more interesting with him here.

Actually, only a few weeks ago, the young master took me along to the playing fields, mostly because supposedly one of his friends showed of his butler and he tried to compete. Well, it didn't matter, and in the end, the other butler and me even became friends. I wonder, should I visit him again sometime soon? The tea he made was great.

That aside, slowly emerging back from my memories and thoughts, I could see Saria and Anna as they are dressing up the young master in a costume reminding me of an army official. The hat is slightly falling to his left side, while covering his hair, but with holes to see his small pointy fox-ears twitching there. (AN: Think of a Beret, but with holes for his ears.)

Meanwhile, his face has some decorations, appearing like some fake scars going from his forehead, over his nose and eye until his cheek. They appear like claw marks, as are three of them next to each other.

Anyway, the twitching of his ears means he is either nervous or excited, but seeing his small laugh, I guess he is enjoying himself. Maybe the thought of being dressed up is scarier than actually being dressed up? I don't know, but as long as the young master is happy...

Anyway, his suit is more strict, white color, black scaled shoulder-plate and a special insignia on his left chest-pocket. I wonder, how did Saria get her hands on one of the commanders insignia of the army? Or did she make them herself... Why do I have the sudden feeling that I should check out my old uniform sometime soon...

While thinking about some rather disturbing thoughts, The young master goes behind the curtain, before returning with pure white pants, a black belt and brown leather-boots, everything in his size. If I was not aware, then I would guess that the little boy is actually a true commander appearance-wise... just a tad too cute. Also, his happy smile ruins the picture of a cold commander, like I had been, but maybe that is for the best.

Walking around the room while sometimes acting a bit like a military-official, Arin begins to laugh, causing us to join him as well. Especially Anna and Saria seem to be pleased, acting like they are about to smother the boy. Well, I have to admit, he is already extremely cute for fox-kin standards, how terrifying would be the reaction would he enter a human settlement?

Anyway, while Anna started to hug and pet the young master, Sumi, the young lady living here since about a month ago, stood still, having a red face with a longing expression. She is shy, but she knows when to step forward. Actually, I believe her feeling towards the young master are different to Anna, who is currently being held back by Saria who calmly admires the dress.

Anna doesn't seem to be romantically interested into the young master, but rather overly protective of him, nearly worse than a certain black dragon. That said, she seems to love him on a base of family, caring for him while trying to have fun... meanwhile, young Sumi next to me seems to feel different. Well, she is already twelve, and most fox-kin's gain awareness of the other gender on that age. Well, with fourteen, fox-kin can get married, unless, hohoho, they already are.

But, I will let her be, if she really needs advice, she should go to Saria, because as a girl, helping her would be easier.

Meanwhile, Arin jumps up, wanting to show his new costume to Sir Geyser before running of.

Sadly, we were all too late to react, and Young master Arin managed to intrude on his Uncle, while that one was still in the lobby talking with the majesty's who are currently guests here.

Just as all of us storm the lobby, we catch sight of Sir Geyser, as he lovingly lift up the young master and carries him in his arms as he admires his clothes.

Seeing this, everyone has a warm expression on their face, while even his majesty's show a slight smile, watching this duo of Uncle and nephew. It was at this moment that suddenly a blue mass emitted from young masters body, before forming into the shape of a young and beautiful woman.

This woman is miss Lumi Regium, the 'mother' of the young master, and currently a soul without a body. I don't know much about how she can continue living as only a soul, but it seems to work out somehow due to a special void the young master possesses.

Anyway, with the sudden appearance of a blue ghost, the guest shriek for a moment, pointing their fingers at the miss. Well, I can understand their reaction, mine wasn't much different when I saw her for the first time.

But luckily, after a short explanation, everyone calmed down. And seeing miss Lumi deeply care for the young master, everyone could accept her existence, even if there was still the light of suspicion in their eyes.

Especially Anna causes a ruckus, wanting to have everything explained, but reminding her of the tale that she was told by the young master himself, she could connect the dots, coming to an understanding.

Well, looking in front again, seeing the young master sit in Sir Geyser's arms while the spirit-form miss Lumi caresses his head with a smile, I am reminded of the picture of my brother with his wife and son.

The scene in itself seems to radiate light and somehow, I feel like it is a dream-picture, making Anna next to me open her mouth subconsciously.

“Woah, they look like a happy family... Mother, Father and son... I am somehow jealous...” (Anna)

Leaking those words, miss lumi suddenly opens her eyes wide, stopping with her caressing before staring at Sir Geyser with a embarrassed expression. She then looks around for a while, just like a certain bewildered dragon, before awkwardly smiling once more to the young master and returning herself into blue mist, vanishing from sight.

Seeing this behavior, the young master seems bewildered, but doesn't take it to heart, before telling Sir Geyser to let him down and running towards us.

Back with us, we leave behind the troubled Black Dragon and the laughing royal family while ascending the stairs once more.

Back in the room, the young master takes off the clothes, while miss Anna, now with a slightly jealous yet happy expression, takes the next set of them and begins preparing to make the young master wear them.

It doesn't take long until her mood is refreshed though, probably due to the young master promising her that he will always stay her little brother.

And with those words, the second round begun.

The next suit was a sailor-uniform, causing him to act like he is on a ship by jumping around on the bed. To my surprise, Saria even tolerated it, without taking one of the special cards we created for his birthday... maybe because she is allowed to dress the young master?

Anyway, afterwards one costume after another followed.

He was in a weird fish-costume, a costume reminding me of the armor an ancient hero once wore, an extreme butler-suit I wouldn't even wear and a few others. Especially the one with all the fur and the helmet with horns made him appear funny, but due to the rough furs used, the young master kept complaining about how itchy it is.

Even so, during this whole time, everyone smiled and had fun, with even Miss Sumi helping out mid-way. But in the end, even after we forgot to eat dinner, the young master yawned with a sleepy expression, telling us with not only words that the session was over and he was tired.

Miss Anna and Saria on the other hand seem to be energized, but due to the lack of available costumes and the tiredness of the young master, they let it go.

In the end, the young master dressed himself into his pajama, not noticing that he accidentally chose the small pajama-suit reminiscent of a wolf while yawning loudly. This pajama was one of the many costumes Saria made, and seeing him accidentally put it on to sleep before climbing into his bed, a small laugh escapes her as a smile blossoms on her face.

She then approached the young master, putting a blanket over him while letting him get comfortable. Then, while everyone else is mesmerized by the cute sleepy-face of the young master, I carefully guide them out of the room, before Saria extinguishes the lights and closes the door.

Then, as everyone returns to their own room, I also retire for the day, thinking long and hard about everything that happened today. Hopefully the future will also be as much fun as today...