The Grinning Fox is asking you something.

Walking down the dimly lit corridor, you keep your eyes on the ghostly silhouette that hovers in the air around you.

The realization that this image of a fox is not just some kind of trick, but a manifestation of the will of an ancient forest deity makes you feel anxious.

Of course, Renard didn't do anything bad to you...

But being the object of the attention of such powerful mystical forces is dangerous in itself.

And if anyone else finds out about the Grinning Fox's interest in your humble person... you may have problems.

The silhouette of this mystical creature, which for unknown reasons is interested in your person, seems to be floating in the air in front of you.

You look closely: this silhouette is translucent, you see how individual elements of the silhouette pass through objects.

For example: a lush fox tail passed through a luxurious porcelain vase and a gilded candlestick, which stand on one of the small tables in a vast and long corridor, at the end of which there is a duke's bedroom.

Only the fox’s smile stands out a little...

And also his eyes, which shine with an orange light...

The eyes are an orange hue with three vertical pupils that have the color of the night sky on the darkest summer night...

These eyes give off a faint golden glow...

You don't have time to utter a word in response when suddenly a pair of servants are running quickly down the corridor. They are in a hurry somewhere, moving straight towards the ghostly silhouette of the Grinning Fox. After a couple of seconds, you see them pass through this ghostly silhouette, not noticing anything.

As the servants retreat down the corridor, you quietly ask, “What exactly do you want from me?”

The grinning Fox says in a buffoonish tone: “Wow! Business approach! Well, you could say I'm having fun watching your adventures! And what I’m interested in is that these adventures don’t come to a too quick and tragic ending!”

You ask: “Isn’t this dangerous? What if someone finds out about your presence? What if I get in trouble for this?”

Loud laughter in response.

You look around fearfully.

Renard's powerful voice rings in your head: “Danger! Ha! Ha! Ha! Didn’t you just recently tell one cowardly bitch, who, due to some misunderstanding, has the title of Duke, that danger is an integral part of any life?!

However, I will satisfy your curiosity, Ulkin!

Now only you can hear me and see my ghostly silhouette! By the way, you don't have to whisper like a scared woman to tell me something! Ha! Ha! You can mentally pronounce the necessary phrases. I will hear what you have to say... By the way, there is an interesting question - you told this "duke-lover of half-orcish dick" that you agree to take care of his safety in exchange for good food! Is this really true? Are you willing to just be a bodyguard for this cowardly pathetic bitch whose only useful skills are sucking dicks and letting dicks fuck her slutty bitchy anus? Are you willing to regularly risk your own life in exchange for... "good food"? Do you really rate your abilities that low? Or do you still want more, Ulkin? If your self-esteem and your ambitions encourage you not to settle for the dubious and risky position of a ORDINARY bodyguard, then I offer you my help... So, answer my question, Ulkin - do you want MORE?”

There is some logic in these words. The life of an ordinary bodyguard is subject to many risks. No matter how good the abilities of such a bodyguard are, there is always a limit to what can be done. Moreover: one of the duties of the bodyguards of powerful aristocratic persons is the duty to protect the protected person, even at the cost of the bodyguard’s own life. Are you ready for this? Put your own body under attack of a dagger or an arrow from a bow for the sake of the Duke's survival? Of course, your "intimate" relationship with Caelan will lead to certain benefits for you. But these relationships will obviously have to be hidden and not used too actively... Otherwise, extremely serious problems may arise... But what will the Grinning Fox demand for its help?

While words of the Grinning Fox are ringing in your head, you leisurely walk along the corridor next to the ducal bedroom.

You watch as many servants run along the corridor, periodically looking into the ducal bedroom. Food, drinks, medicine... Everything you can imagine is brought by the servants for Caelan. They also clean up dirty things (for example: after you punched an unlucky killer in the face, his blood stained one of the carpets).

The ghostly silhouette of Renard the Trickster continues to hover in the air in front of your face.