Tale of Two Tails

Chapter 15

Before reaching the end of the forest, Eren returned to fox form and the two returned to the castle. As soon as they walked in, Levi was sent to the throne room. As he walked in, his father was looking at him expectedly. Mikasa was sitting next to him, and Armin was sitting next to her, sipping tea.

"Well, have you found any maiden that catches your eye?" The emperor asked. Levi shrugged lightly.

"I may have." The emperor smiled widely.

"I knew you'd find a woman. Now tell me about her." Levi kneeled in sanza, as everyone else was.

"She lives between this village and the next in the forest. She has brown hair and golden eyes."

"Do you know her name?" The emperor asked. Levi feigned trying to remember.

"I believe she said her name was Eren."

"Eren?" His father wrinkled his nose. "Like your damn fox?" Eren's eyes narrowed and Armin glared at the emperor before speaking.

"Eren is a name given to foxes from Inari-Kami himself. Many foxes have the name, but for a human to have such a name means that Inari has smiled upon them. Tell me, My Lord, if you noticed anything about the house?" Levi literally had to think of some bullshit for this.

"I believe in our small introductions she mentioned that her family were avid followers of Inari. Praying to him frequently." Armin nodded to Levi's lie.

"If the parents came in contact with one of Inari's kitsune, it's possible that they allowed it to slip that Eren was a name Inari gave to foxes and used it on their daughter." Armin said. "Inari allowed them to prosper, and if they're still alive in the forest, where demons flourish, then Inari-Kami must be protecting them." Armin turned to the emperor. "This maiden has found favor in Inari-Kami's eyes. If your son were to marry her, Inari-Kami's good fortune may fall upon your house, and even extend to your lands." The emperor nodded.

"I see." He said. "And what does she do out in the forests?" Levi rolled his eyes.

"You ask as though I learned everything. I simply learned her name and that she worships Inari more than any other god. She also has a vixen that lives with her, so hopefully her vixen and Eren get along." Levi said, petting Eren's head. The emperor sighed and nodded.

"I see. Well, when do you plan to go see her again?" Levi shrugged.

"I'm not sure. I may go see her tomorrow, but I may wait more."

"Wait more? Surely any girl would be kissing your feet to see you again knowing you are the prince."

"I have yet to tell her that information." Levi said. The emperor narrowed his eyes in confusion. "I may need to find a wife to bare an heir, but if I am to have her rule by my side once I become emperor, I would rather love the woman I choose. Any woman would fake love to marry me. I will tell her once I know her love is true, and that I indeed love her as well." Levi said. All the 'her, she, woman, maiden' talk was making him feel almost ill. He knew Eren was male, however calling him female didn't settle on his tongue. He also didn't enjoy entertaining the thought of marrying a woman, even if it was a kitsune that prefered being male.

"You have made a decent point, my son. Very well. When you choose to go see her again, inform me. I will send the guard-"

"No." Levi said quickly. "If the guard comes with me, it will tip Eren off that I am more than I appear. She is already suspicious of the quality of the clothing I wear." The emperor nodded.

"Very well. You are dismissed to prepare for dinner." Levi bowed his head before leaving with Eren close by his heels. They headed to Levi's chambers and while Levi prepared for dinner, Eren cleaned the room.

"This is all bullshit." Levi said as he changed. Eren had seen him change many times before, so there was no use in being shy about it. Though if he thought about it, Levi's never seen Eren in the same state. He assumed he wouldn't until their wedding night. Eren yipped and Levi turned to see a message in the dirt.

Tiptoeing around and pretending to be falling for a woman? Levi nodded.

"Yes. I'm not attracted to them, at all. I'm not even sure we'll be able to produce an heir with you in your female form." It's not that Levi hated females, it's just that they didn't do anything for him in a romantic or sexual manner. They were just kind of... there.

I can stay in male form before we actually need to get to the... penetrating. Levi smirked as he saw how shaky the last word was written and how Eren wouldn't actually look at him.

"Is someone shy?" Levi teased, causing Eren to glare and bare his teeth. "Calm your tails, Eren." The fox did so before jumping up onto the porch and rubbing against Levi's legs. "Yeah yeah, let's go get some fucking food." He said before they walked out of the room.

After dinner, Levi went to speak with Armin more.