Judith stood in a corner of the dinning room, trying to be invisible. Though her wanting to be one with the shadows was unnecessary, Nicholas always brought her to meals and the Otterton princes had basically invited her.

But Judith wasn't royalty or staff so she didn't belong here and the smell of food was still torturous to her. The sugared strawberries hadn't filled her belly, it felt like it had only made her hungrier. But the guilty twisting her insides was stronger. If her family couldn't eat sugared strawberries then neither should she.

Judith was unnoticed by the Wilde and Otterton family, the two princes gobbling down food while the adults talked of the savage wolf.

The bunny's ears were pricked to their chatter, so far it sounded like King Emmitt and Manchas were stumped but they weren't giving up yet. The only thing the otter was sure of was that this wasn't a mental illness.

Judith's brow furrowed and she turned her eyes to the floor, there it was again, that wiggling in the back of her brain. This whole situation was reminding her of something. But for the life of her she couldn't recall that memory.

When dessert came talk of the wolf had subsided to more casual conversations. Judith's mouth watered, seeing the sugary sweets, but the royalty were too busy with their meals and talks. At one point Nicholas pulled a covered bowl of silver to his side, his green eyes glowing in rare fondness. He uncovered the lid to reveal a large pile of blueberries, holding one of the blue orbs between his claws Nicholas raised the fruit to his lips.

And that's when Judith caught the scent.

Her stomach dropped as memories of a growling rabbit filled her head. Panic sent her sprinting across the floor and with a shrieking 'no' tumbled into Nicholas, sending them both to the floor. The blueberry harmlessly rolling away.

"ARE YOU INSANE!?" Nicholas snarled, glaring at the rabbit sprawled across him.

Judith met his furious expression head on, "That blueberry is poisoned!"

He blinked, that was not the answer he'd been expecting, if he had been expecting an answer at all.

The rest of the table had jumped to their feet when Judith had tackled Nicholas. King Emmitt picked up the abandoned blueberry and gave it a cautious sniff, his eyes widened. "Night Howler..."

"It smells like this flower my uncle once ate," Judith moved to her feet, "It made him go crazy!"

Judith made to say more but Emmitt suddenly pulled her into an unexpected hug.

"This is it!" he pulled back with an ecstatic grin, "I had forgotten all about Night Howlers, that must be what happened to the wolf!" He ran out proclaiming he must tell Manchas.

Nicholas had just stood up when his parents crowded him, asking if he was okay.

"I'm fine," he replied, looking more bothered by the attention than his close call.

Amelia suddenly whirled around to face Judith and a moment later she pulled Judith into a hug. "You really are a hero," the vixen whispered into her ear. For a moment Judith felt like she was being embraced by her own mother, and then Amelia pulled away to return to her son's side.

.

"You need to thank her." Nicholas turned his eyes to his mother.

The Wilde family, along with Queen Octavia, stood outside Manchas' room. Now that he and Emmitt knew Night Howlers were the cause they were quick in making the antidote.

"I'm more concerned in finding out who tried to poison me," Nicholas replied, knowing exactly who the 'her' was. The fox now knew there was someone in this castle who didn't wish him well. He also knew he could cross Clawhauser off his list, because besides the cheetah bursting into tears when he found out what happened, Nicholas knew him since he was a kit. Clawhauser had too good of a heart to poison even his worst enemy.

No, he had an enemy under his roof and he would find whoever it was.

.

Judith had returned to Nicholas' bedchamber after dinner, curling into the large bed to calm her racing heart. So the Night Howlers that had turned her uncle crazy did the same thing with that poor wolf.

She had been told there was an antidote and she wished her family had known that long ago. Judith had just been a child when her beloved uncle had tried to bite her and her siblings. Knowing it was the strange blue flower had caused it but having no idea how to fix it they tied him up to wait it out.

But the next morning he had vanished, leaving nothing but a chewed rope.

They never saw him again.

The door opening broke her from her thoughts. Nicholas had returned.

"How is..." she started but stopped when she noticed him relaxed expression. "We just gave him the antidote," the fox told her. "I think he's going to be okay."

Judith released a relieved sigh, "That's good. What are you going to do with him?"

"Ask him how he was poisoned then let him go," Nicholas answered bluntly. "Then find out who tried to turn me savage."

"I'll help you." Judith's offer came out immediately.

Nicholas gave her a weird look, "Oh?"

"Night Howlers are awful things," Judith pointed out. "I don't want someone who would use them to hurt mammals roam free."

"Valiant," he replied, walking to the bed.

Judith's fur bristled as suddenly a dark look came over the fox's expression.

"My mother said I should thank you," he said, climbing onto the bed, "You did save my life."

"It-it's fine," she stammered. "The only other option was to let you go savage and attack everyone."

"Still," Nicholas said, "I'm going to thank you."

Judith bit her lip to keep from screaming as Nicholas loomed over her, straddling her hips and pressing his paw firmly on her collarbone.

He's just teasing you, she reminded herself, He wants you to react.

But then from his pocket Nicholas pulled out a baby carrot and pressed it against her lips. "Eat."

Judith kept her lips locked and shook her head.

"You're starving yourself," Nicholas pointed out, lifting the carrot-holding paw.

"So is my family," she snapped. "Why should I get to live in luxury when they can't?"

Nicholas' narrowed eyes glowed, "Because you're mine."

She blinked, "What?"

"You're my ward, living in my home. You save me more than once, I'm going to take care of you."

He pressed the carrot against her lips again, "I'll see what I can do for your family but you starving helps no one."

A few moments passed of Nicholas staring her down before she gave in and bit into the carrot. He released the vegetable so Judith could chew and swallow.

"Good girl," he stated, "And tomorrow you'll eat breakfast, yes?"

The bunny only nodded, staring up at the vulpine still on top of her.

As if reading her mind Nicholas moved, climbing off her and lying down on his side of the bed.

Savoring the taste of the carrot she had eaten Judith played the king's words over and over in her head.

Because you're mine.

I'm going to take care of you.

She didn't think anyone had ever said that to her.