Nine Lives Spent

To repay Fred Shawn for saving her, the fox, Janice Faye, took human form and married him. Janice risked her life to help Fred, the once-unknown scholar, ascend the throne. When enemy forces invaded, Janice and Alina Hunter, Fred’s concubine, were captured. Fred could only save one. Convinced Janice was immortal, Fred shot her without hesitation. But in fact, Janice was just a nice-tailed fox, and she had already spent eight lives. That was her last. She couldn’t wake up forever. Devastated, Fred descended into madness. He refused to bury Janice, carrying her body with him everywhere and endlessly murmuring, "Forgive me, Janice... Please wake up..."