Chapter 4

Apologetic Courting and Suspicion

It's been two weeks since the fight that Judy had with Nick. Throughout the days that followed, Judy has been trying to apologize, but the fox would always run away from her. He would deliberately avoid her too. It was crushing for Judy to be constantly shot down with her attempts but the bunny wouldn't give up. She just has to be more forward, show that she really is sorry.

She was determined to regain his trust.

Nick was currently in the kitchen, chopping up vegetables and cooking today's lunch. The fox was in a bad mood. Scratch that, he's been in a bad mood all week. A certain rabbit wouldn't leave him alone and kept interfering with his work. He was relieved Bellwether hasn't caught him slipping up. It's difficult to finish one's work when you have a pestering rabbit glued to your side. Nick was just thankful that Judy hasn't figured out that he works in the kitchen as well. The fox wasn't just frustrated with Judy, he was upset with her persistent behavior. She has stopped trying to apologize verbally and instead has moved onto other ideas. The knight had sent him numerous flowers and balloons along with apologetic cards. Nick would throw the cards away and release the balloons outside to fly high above the clouds, being sure to do so in front of a certain bunny. As for the flowers, Nick couldn't bring himself to throw them away. Each bouquet was vibrant and unique, they were beautiful and different from the flowers in the garden. The fox would keep the flowers in the broken vase he has or a cup. He would place them close by his one and only window.

Nick sighs as he places the dish in the oven, leaving the kitchen to be managed by a tiger named Phil. Phil was a nice guy, working in the kitchen on Monday's through Fridays. He would often arrive early so Nick could have more time to himself. After preparing lunch the fox had a 30 minute break to relax. He heads to his room and opens the door, but is shocked at the sight before him. The small worn bed was replaced with a new mattress and box spring, along with new bed sheets and pillows. His wobbly table was gone but a new wooden desk stood in the place of it with a cushioned chair. Nick steps into his bedroom in horror. The dull peeling paint was covered up by pale blue wallpaper which had some sort of a lace design on it. His one and only window has a shelf below it where his flowers sat in new glass vases. Nick looks over at the wooden desk, a lamp sat on the table top with a note in front of it. He hesitates but lifts the sheet of paper up and reads it.

Dear Nick,

I'm sorry for what I said to you several weeks ago. I didn't consider your feelings and spoke ignorantly. If I could take back what I said, I would in a heart beat. To show how sorry I am, I've decided to redecorate your room! Looks great right? I've even updated your wardrobe.

Nick looks over his shoulder at the small closet. He head towards it and slides the closet door open. Inside were a variety of shirts and pants hanging on hangers and below was a small dresser with new pajamas and underwear in them.

"Oh my god." He groans. All of his worn down things were gone. It's all gone, and Bellwether is going to kill him for being in possession of all these nice things. Nick snaps his head back down at the sheet of paper in his paw.

P.S. I saw that you kept the flowers I sent you so I figured they'd be better off closer to the window.

P.S.S. I placed a box of candy under your bed ;D

-Hope you forgive me, Judy

The paper is crunch up in his paw, his teeth clenching as his body shook in anger. The light on Nick's collar flicks red sending a quick shock through his skin. The red fox takes a moment to do his breathing exercises to calm himself.

"In and out, nice and slow." He inhales and exhales, letting his mind go blank. Once Nick is relaxed, the light on his collar returns to green. The fox looks under his bed and there is in fact a box of candy. He takes the box and the note, leaving his bedroom in a hurry. "I've had enough of this!" He hissed between his teeth. Several mammals moved out of the way for the fuming fox as he marches through the halls. Upon arriving at a certain bunny's quarters, Nick pauses for a moment to glance down at the box and note in his paws. He was in such a hurry he didn't even bother to see what kind of candy it was. He lifts the lid and peeks inside.

Chocolate, of course.

"How romantic." He scoffs. Raising his paw to knock on the door, it takes a few seconds until Judy greets him.

"Hi Nick! I'm guessing you saw the surprise I made for you." She bounces happily and Nick gives her an entertaining smile.

"Yeah, I saw how you invaded my privacy and removed all of my belongings. You can have these back." He shoves the box of treats and the note into her paws. "And I want you to put my room back the way it was."

"I-...aren't you happy?"

"Why would I be?"

"I fixed up your room and I got you new stuff. Before, you didn't have much of anything and your room looked like it was falling apart."

"Well when you're a slave you don't get much of anything." Judy furrows her brows and tosses the box aside.

"Being a slave doesn't mean you can't have nice things!"

"Like you would know!"

"You have the same amount of rights as anyone else! The only difference is that you work to repay someone." Nick falls silent but continues to glare down at the rabbit. He didn't know what his rights were so what was the difference between him and everyone else?

"...I want you to stop sending me these stupid apologetic gifts because I'm not forgiving you. So leave me alone."

"No!" She shouts. "I'm not going to stop until you forgive me! Nick I really am sorry for what I said. Can't we start over? I'll do anything!" She begs. The fox's ear twitches and he raises a brow.

"...Anything?" Judy nods vigorously. Nick takes a moment to think. If this rabbit is willing to do anything then maybe she can get him into the library's top floor. "Would you help me get to the second floor of the library?"

"That's it?" Judy tilts her head to the side, she was expecting something a little more out of her reach. "I can take you there though I'm not sure why you can't go there yourself."

"Great! Take me to the library tomorrow and all is forgiven." The fox turns to leave, his break is most likely over and Nick can't run behind on his schedule.

The next day Judy cautiously wonders the hallways, a red fox by her side. Her violet eyes scanning the vacant space and her ears twitching at the slightest bit of noise.

"Why are you so tense Carrots?" Nick asks, breaking the sufforcating silence.

She furrows her brows, sparing a glance at the predator. "...I'm a knight, top of my class. I've been trained to notice even the smallest bit of change in the atmosphere."

"And that means...?"

"It means, something isn't right around here." The two mammals stop a few feet away from the library's entrance. "There's nobody around here, not even a guard that's suppose to be patrolling nearby."

The fox frowns, taking note of the empty hall. "That is strange." Usually when Nick visits the library there would be a few other mammals around.

And the guards.

The soldiers that Bellwether uses to keep an eye on him. Now that he thinks about it, Nick hasn't seen any of them around in the past couple of days.

Could they be spying on him? Purposely giving him the space to roam freely as to catch him in the act of something wrong? Nick couldn't help but be cautious now, he can't ruin his chance. What if Bellwether bans him from the library?! He'll never be able to get his freedom then.

"Lets head back." he says, turning away from the library. "We can enjoy the sanctuary of books some other time."

"Are you sure?" she asks, following him.

"Yeah..."