The twilight sky bled hues of orange and purple over the sprawling Eleanore estate, casting long shadows across its pristine gardens. Naomi Tanaka, still adjusting to her new life as a magical fox, sat perched on a stone ledge overlooking the estate grounds. The cool evening breeze ruffled her thick white fur, but her mind was far from peaceful. 

*I can’t just laze around like a cute pet forever,* Naomi thought, flicking her bushy tail. *I need a plan.* 

Her transformation into a fox and subsequent entanglement with Lady Seraphina von Eleanore’s tumultuous life had been surreal, but Naomi knew she had a purpose here beyond mere coincidence. The fate of Seraphina—and perhaps even the entire noble household—hinged on Naomi’s ability to influence events. 

The problem? She had no idea how to wield any magic, let alone navigate the cutthroat world of aristocrats. 

"Alright," Naomi muttered under her breath, "first step: figure out if I actually have any powers." 

Closing her heterochromatic eyes—one blue, the other gold—Naomi focused inward. She pictured energy flowing through her fox body like streams of light, just as the protagonists in countless fantasy novels did when summoning magic. 

Nothing. 

"Come on," she grumbled, scrunching up her nose. "Sparkle, glow, do *something!*" 

Still nothing. 

Her frustration was interrupted by a familiar voice. "Talking to yourself again?" 

Naomi's eyes snapped open to find Seraphina standing a few paces away, her violet gaze curious yet amused. The duchess was dressed in a flowing lavender gown that caught the fading sunlight, making her look ethereal. 

Naomi barked softly in greeting, hoping Seraphina hadn’t caught on to her magical self-improvement attempts. 

Seraphina knelt gracefully beside her. "You’re an odd creature, aren’t you?" She ran a gloved hand through Naomi’s fur, her touch gentle yet firm. "I wonder what secrets you’re hiding." 

Naomi swallowed nervously. *You have no idea.* 

Before either of them could say more, the sharp clatter of boots echoed across the stone path. Leon, the ever-suspicious Knight Commander, approached with his usual grim expression. 

"Your Grace," he said with a curt bow, "there’s been a development." 

Seraphina’s demeanor shifted instantly, her playful warmth vanishing behind a mask of cold authority. "What is it?" 

Leon’s gaze flickered to Naomi before returning to Seraphina. "A message from Duke Reinhardt. He’s demanding an audience tomorrow under the pretext of discussing regional security." 

Naomi’s ears perked up. *Reinhardt again? That guy just can’t take a hint, can he?* 

Seraphina’s lips pressed into a thin line. "He’s becoming more brazen by the day." 

Leon nodded grimly. "He likely suspects weakness after recent events. We should prepare for the possibility of treachery." 

Naomi growled softly. Even without understanding the full political context, she knew enough to recognize Reinhardt’s maneuvering as a dangerous threat. 

"I’ll handle him," Seraphina said coolly. "But I appreciate your vigilance, Leon." 

Leon hesitated, his gaze once again landing on Naomi. "And the fox? Are you certain it’s safe to keep her around?" 

Naomi bristled. *I saved your duchess from face-planting in front of her mortal enemy, and this is the thanks I get?* 

Seraphina’s eyes glinted with amusement. "I trust her more than I trust most people, Leon. She stays." 

Leon exhaled sharply but didn’t argue further. "Very well. I’ll double the guard patrols tonight." 

As Leon strode away, Seraphina stood, her expression softening as she looked down at Naomi. "It seems trouble follows us both, little one." 

Naomi wagged her tail, silently vowing to protect Seraphina from whatever schemes Duke Reinhardt had in store. 

---

Later that night, Naomi lay curled on a plush cushion near Seraphina’s desk as the duchess pored over documents illuminated by flickering candlelight. The room was silent save for the scratch of Seraphina’s quill against parchment. 

Naomi’s mind, however, was anything but quiet. *There’s got to be a way for me to help her,* she thought. *I know how the story goes—Reinhardt’s going to try something soon.* 

A sudden surge of determination filled her. If she couldn’t unlock her magic through sheer willpower, maybe she needed a different approach. 

Her ears twitched as she recalled a passage from *The Tragic Duchess’s Redemption.* In the novel, magical creatures like fox spirits were said to draw power from the moon. 

Naomi glanced out the window. The full moon hung high in the sky, bathing the estate in silvery light. 

*It’s worth a shot.* 

Carefully, Naomi padded over to the window and sat beneath the moon’s glow. She closed her eyes, focusing once more on the energy within her. This time, instead of forcing it, she allowed herself to simply feel—like water flowing naturally down a riverbed. 

A warmth blossomed in her chest, spreading through her limbs. Naomi’s fur prickled as a faint glow surrounded her body. 

Her eyes flew open. "Whoa." 

The soft golden aura flickered around her like fireflies before fading. 

"I did it!" she whispered excitedly, though her voice remained fox-like. 

Seraphina looked up from her work, brow furrowing. "What are you up to now?" 

Naomi barked sheepishly, hoping Seraphina hadn’t noticed the glow. 

The duchess shook her head with a small smile. "You really are full of surprises." 

Naomi grinned inwardly. *Just wait. I’m only getting started.* 

---

As midnight approached, Naomi’s newfound confidence was put to the test. 

A faint rustling outside the window caught her attention. Her ears perked, and she sniffed the air. The scent of unfamiliar intruders sent a surge of adrenaline through her. 

Naomi leaped onto the windowsill, her sharp eyes scanning the garden below. Shadows moved among the hedges—three figures dressed in dark cloaks, their movements stealthy and deliberate. 

*Intruders,* Naomi realized, her heart pounding. 

She barked loudly, drawing Seraphina’s attention. 

"What is it?" Seraphina asked, rising from her seat. 

Naomi growled and darted toward the door, urging Seraphina to follow. 

Trusting her strange companion, Seraphina grabbed a sword from the wall and followed Naomi through the halls of the mansion. 

They burst into the garden just as the intruders reached the estate’s side entrance. The leader of the group turned, his face obscured by a mask. 

"Stop right there!" Seraphina commanded, her voice ringing with authority. 

The intruders hesitated for a split second before drawing their weapons. 

Naomi’s fur bristled. *Time to see what this magic fox form can really do.* 

With a fierce growl, she leaped toward the nearest attacker, golden light sparking around her as she moved.