Ch. 11: The Dancing Fox

Nicholas had been standing with Finnick, watching the wolf leave the castle, when his friend invited him to the theater.

The antidote had successfully cured the wolf who admitted to be a traveling poet from Kingsland. When asked about the Night Howlers the wolf was ignorant of the dangerous plant. He recalled walking to Foxhollow for the Fellowship Festival when there was a pain in his side and he passed out and woke up in Nicholas' dungeon.

With nothing else to tell them he was released. And now Nicholas turned his head to look at the fennec next to him. "You are aware I was almost poisoned, yes?"

"Of course, and now you need a distraction. Let's go watch a play, they're performing the Dancing Fox tonight."

The king had to admit, that sounded inviting. Maybe a distraction would do him some good. "Let me fetch, Carrots," Nicholas turned to go and find the rabbit but Finnick's amused snort stopped him.

"What?" he growled over his shoulder.

The small fox smirked, "I wasn't aware you came with your ward."

Nicholas glared as his ears suddenly felt hot, "I'm just giving her a reward for discovering that Night Howler."

"Hmm," Finnick only hummed.

"Be quiet," Nicholas growled before turning on his heel.

.

The rabbit was roaming through the library when he found her. She did that far too often considering Nicholas had never seen her pick up a book.

When she spotted him at the doors she curtsied, "Your Majesty."

"Bellwether's old dresses aren't the most high class," Nicholas said in a way of greeting.

Judith blinked dumbly and looked down at the dark gray dress she wore. "Well, Sire. It is a servant's outfit."

"Yes, I suppose no one at the theater would expect a servant to dress up," he mused.

The bunny's ears shot up at his words, "Theater?"

"Finnick is treating me to a play and you'll be accompanying us." Nicholas hoped his strict tone would dissuade her from asking any questions.

Luck was on his side as Judith only gave a mute nod.

.

The theater was a two story building, Nicholas being royalty, was given the best seat in the building. And of course countless mammals greeted him but the fox stealthily kept his attention on Judith.

Not because he thought she would try to escape but because she was looking around the theater with rapt interest. When they finally arrived in their box she did not sit down with the two foxes, instead leaning over the edge with wide eyes staring at the stage.

When the play started she let out a soft gasp of excitement.

The play was called The Dancing Fox, telling the story of a poor vixen who caught the attention of a noble fox with her dancing.

Nicholas found the story endearing but sappy, however Judith was completely enchanted. Nicholas had took note of how her violet eyes seemed to glitter as she watched the show. He then took note of how he didn't need to be paying such attention to her eyes.

But tragically he didn't take note of that until Judith felt his eyes on her, looking over her shoulder to give the fox a perplexed look. Nicholas had quickly turned his attention back to the stage, pretending he hadn't been staring.

.

"That was amazing," Judith gushed an hour later when they were back in the fox's bedchamber.

"It was okay," Nicholas corrected from where he was already in bed. Judith was too busy twirling around the room.

"I've never been to a play before," she admitted more to herself than him.

"You didn't act like that," he said dryly.

"But oh the dresses and dances and romance!" she turned and actually smiled at Nicholas. "Their chemistry was palpable!"

Nicholas blinked, suddenly curious of something. "Do you have a buck?"

Judith's twirling came to a stop and she gave the fox a perplexed look, "Pardon?"

"I can't get to sleep, hearing about your life should fix that."

Her brow furrowed slightly at the not-so-hostile insult but nodded, "To answer your question I don't have a buck."

"Ever?"

"Ever," she looked embarrassed by that fact. "Why-why does it matter?"

"It doesn't," he answered her. "But as you'll be with me for the foreseeable future I thought I should know a few things."

Judith's red ears fell against her shoulders, "With all do respect Your Majesty...I'd rather not."

Nicholas cocked his head to the side, he couldn't fault her for that. He wouldn't want to speak about a family he couldn't see, either.

Though the fox supposed he could always release her, but then what would Shenjji and the other rulers think? That he could not handle a rabbit as his ward?

Said rabbit was awkwardly moving from one foot to the other, not meeting the staring king's eyes. "What made you want to bring me to the theater?" she ended up asking.

Nicholas' ears folded back. First Finnick now her? Was he not allowed to take whoever he wished to a play? "I expected a reward was in order for your services," he said in his blunt tone, "Or was I wrong?"

"No-no, it's just..." she looked at him as if he was an unsolvable puzzle piece. "Thank you. I really enjoyed it."

"You're welcome," Nicholas was not a puzzle. He was a perfectly ordinary king who did nothing out of character. No matter what anyone said.