The Kitsune's Cursed Hero

Chapter 21

Y/n's POV

I opened my eyes slowly, seeing a ceiling above me. "Where..." I started. Someone gasped, but it was familiar as I saw Big Sis lean over, looking down at me on my right side. "You're awake." Big sis said, smiling as I saw tears forming in her eyes. I tried to sit up, but my entire body was sore, and I felt weak. Big sis helped me sit up before reaching out and patting my head. "How are you feeling?" Big sis asked.

"I'm sore and tired." I answered. Big sis giggled as she patted my head. "You've been asleep for four days. Master Naofumi just woke up yesterday." Big sis explained. I looked around, seeing we were in a room, but outside I could hear people talking about different injuries. "Where are we?" I asked, looking around. I was on a soft bed with a blanket covering me. There was a nightstand next to me, with a small bowl of fruit and flowers in a vase. "We're in the infirmary that serves the royal family. The queen brought us here after you and Master Naofumi collapsed." Big sis explained. There was a knock on the door before it slowly opened. Big brother, Filo, Melty and a woman with purple hair. The woman was wearing a deep violet dress that flowed when she walked into the room, with a gold trim that traced the lines of her bodice. She wore a golden corset armor piece that covered her chest and part of her stomach, and it fit her bodice. She had a crown in her hair, which was golden with red jewels in it. I looked towards big brother, who visibly relaxed before walking over and hugging me gently. "I'm glad to see you're awake." Big brother commented. Filo and Melty came over smiling as they looked at me. "Are you feeling alright, Y/n?" Filo asked. 

"I'm sore and tired, but I'm okay. Promise." I said, looking at her. Filo nodded before the woman who had joined everyone cleared her throat. "I'm sorry to ask this, but may I have a private moment with the Kitsune hero alone?" Everyone nodded before Big sis kissed my head and left the room with everyone else. "I'm glad to see that you're recovering. No one your age should have gone through what you've gone through. How are you feeling, little hero?" The queen asked, taking a seat next to the bed. 

"Sore, tired, worried that the queen wants to speak with me alone." I answered honestly. The queen laughed softly at my answer, probably finding it funny. "You're not in trouble or anything like that. I'm here to talk to you about something that's happening tomorrow." The queen started. She explained that she was planning to use tomorrow as a chance to clear Big Brother's name and announce that I wasn't a cursed hero, but one chosen by a god worshipped by demihumans and beastmen. I looked at her stunned as she continued mentioning that because of the things that Melty and the king did that there was a punishment lined up for them; she couldn't stop even if she wanted to. "The punishment... it's..." I started, knowing from some history books that the king and Melty would be seen as traitors to the kingdom.

"Yes, but they deserve far worse for the things that they put you and the shield hero through. Is there anything I can do for you to make up for what was done?" The queen asked.

"Can I think about it?" I asked. The queen nodded before getting up and leaving the room before Big Sis came back in. She looked worried about something before sitting down on the edge of my bed. "Is something wrong, sis?" I asked. She looked at me before shaking her head. "No, but I have something to tell you. One of your tails... it's changed."

"It's not the first time. What's different this time?" I asked, moving the blanket covering me. As I moved the blanket, I saw my two tails, one that was its normal F/c and the other that was now golden yellow with a white tip. I sat there stunned by the two different colors of my tails. "Okay... This is weird." I commented. Big sis laughed before looking away. "What do you remember from the battle?" Big sis asked.

"Bits and pieces. Although the last part it kind of fuzzy. I remember my body moving, and my voice sounded funny." I answered, trying to remember how the fight ended.