Hearing her words, Jenny and Tina understood why she was so resistant to marrying the leader. She was worried that doing so would damage the leader's reputation among the clan, that the clan members would gossip about him behind his back, and that the matter would be viewed with suspicion. At the same time, her concern showed her genuine feelings for the leader—she was truly thinking of his well-being.
The two exchanged a relieved glance. Jenny said, "Miss Mia, do you know why we were originally transformed into human form by the leader's magic?"
Mia looked at her uncertainly. "Arthur told me it was to revive the fox clan. The fox clan had been weak in the world for a long time, teetering on the brink of collapse, unable to compete with other clans, let alone coexist with humans. Some clans were nearly wiped out. Yes, he said it was to revive the fox clan. Hmm… isn't that the reason?"
"Miss Mia, that reason is indeed important to the fox clan, but in the leader's eyes, it's insignificant. His main purpose was to find you."
"Find me?!" Mia's eyes widened in shock.
"Yes," Jenny continued. "For a long time, every clan member who lived beyond three hundred years was personally transformed into human form by the leader's magic. This allowed us to move freely mosaicin the world, searching for traces of you in various places." Noticing Mia's body relax slightly, Jenny and Tina quickly helped her put on the ceremonial dress.
"We all grew up in Moore Manor. Over four hundred years ago, we already knew of your existence. Yes, we've always known. The entire clan sees you as the person the leader loves most deeply, as a member of the Moore family, and as the future queen of the fox clan. Regardless of gender, wealth, or status, in our eyes, you are the most qualified to be the leader's partner."
"Exactly!" Tina couldn't help but chime in. "Miss Mia, you don't need to have any worries. When you step out later, you'll receive the clan's most heartfelt blessings! Look at all those aunties, sisters-in-law, grandmas, and cousins out there—they all genuinely want to meet you and personally give you their blessings. Unfortunately, the leader wouldn't allow it. He's afraid you'd be so moved that you'd cry your eyes out and miss the wedding!"
Mia's eyes reddened, but hearing Tina's playful words, she burst out laughing with a soft chuckle.
Seeing Mia's mix of tears and laughter, Jenny and Tina quickly slipped on her ceremonial jacket and adorned her hair, neck, and arms with custom-made, exquisite jewelry.
Taking advantage of Mia's relaxed mood, Tina asked a question she'd been curious about. "By the way, Mia, when the leader told you that he and we aren't human but fox spirits, weren't you scared?"
"Hmm…" Mia tilted her head, thinking. "At the time, I thought Arthur was joking…"
"That's normal," Jenny admitted. Who could imagine a human living in a fox den for three whole months, surrounded by foxes day and night, yet completely unaware? It was impressive enough that she hadn't been scared out of her wits. Even though we've taken human form and live in houses like humans, it's only because we've hidden it so well.
"When I saw Arthur's expression and realized he wasn't joking, I was shocked…"
"That's a perfectly normal reaction," Jenny said with a nod, tying the sash of the ceremonial jacket.
"But I wasn't afraid," Mia continued. "When I calmed my thoughts and meditated on it, I realized how touching it was. A snow fox fell in love with a human after just one night of fate hundreds of years ago—a human who willingly became his food, took an arrow for him, and died in his place. To find this girl who died unjustly, he became the king of the foxes, revived and strengthened the fox clan, and made other clans fear them once again. One thousand years of devotion, never fading, never wavering, growing deeper and richer like fine wine. So what if he's not human? That doesn't matter, does it? Even among humans, how many would search for someone they love for years, let alone one thousand years? This love touched me so deeply, it made me want to cry."
"This…" Jenny looked up at Mia with a smile. "Yes, we feel the same way. For centuries, we've all been moved by the leader's devotion."
Mia's misty eyes brimmed with tears. "It's not just being moved. It's love—because I love him."
How could she have ever doubted someone who loved her so deeply?
Mia asked softly, "But you all can live for centuries. How long can I stay by his side? What happens when I grow old and die? Won't he have to start that long search and wait all over again?"
The thought alone filled Mia with heartache.
Hearing her murmur to herself, Jenny and Tina exchanged puzzled looks. Tina, unable to hold back her straightforward nature, blurted out, "Miss Mia, didn't the leader tell you? He has a way to give you the same lifespan as him, so you can live for hundreds of years together."
"Really?! Is that possible?" Mia lifted her head in shock, staring at Tina. "Then why didn't he tell me?"
Tina glanced at Jenny, and Mia's gaze followed.
After a moment of thought, Jenny said, "Miss Mia, perhaps the leader didn't want to put you in a difficult position. If he did this, you would no longer be human—you'd become a hybrid with human and fox blood. Moreover, your life would be extended almost infinitely, hundreds of times longer than a normal human's. Miss Mia, do you think you could endure such a long life?" Jenny paused.
"As time passes, the friends and family around you will age, weaken, and die, one by one. That scene will repeat countless times, but you'll remain the same—unchanging, undying. The people you want to keep will slip away, and the memories of those you cherish will slowly blur in the river of history. Could you bear that?"
After speaking, Jenny and Tina looked at Mia, who lowered her head, deep in thought.