The following morning everyone started to get to work.
Roland tightened the straps on the wagon, lifting another crate of carefully packed carrot pots into place. Claribel steadied the side while he slid it in, making sure nothing tipped. Morning sunlight warmed the wooden boards, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of herbs and soil.
Behind him, faint whispers drifted through the air—soft, fluttering, unmistakably Keith and Sarah.
"Your coat looks especially shiny today, Sarah," Keith murmured, voice warm.
"Oh stop," she giggled, bumping his flank. "You're the one who looks handsome. Tier 3 suits you."
"Only because I want to look good standing next to you."
Roland paused midway through lifting another crate, a slow smile spreading across his face. Their tails flicked in perfect sync, the two donkeys nuzzling, whispering compliments so mushy Roland couldn't help it—he snorted out a laugh.
Claribel looked over, confused. "What's so funny?"
Roland tilted his head toward the lovebirds. "Just Keith and Sarah… being Keith and Sarah."
As if to prove his point:
"I swear," Sarah sighed dramatically, "your muscles got at least ten percent bigger."
"No, no," Keith protested. "Yours did."
Roland covered his mouth to stifle a chuckle. "They're impossiblyadorable."
Claribel shook her head with affectionate helplessness. "They've been like this all morning."
Roland loaded the last pot into the wagon, dusting off his hands. Verdalis rustled her leaves softly as though amused by the couple's antics. Even Sol barked once, tail wagging, as if fully agreeing with the comedy playing out behind them.
With the wagon ready, Claribel stepped back, admiring the tidy rows of pots and scrolls. "Looks perfect."
"Yeah," Roland said, leaning against the fence with a satisfied sigh. "Feels good to finally send this off."
A lazy peace settled over the farm. The animals grazed in contentment, the sapling shimmered softly in the sunlight, and Keith and Sarah continued whispering sweet nothings to one another, completely unaware of how entertaining they were.
Roland crossed his arms, watching them with a grin. "You know," he said quietly, "if pure love could power a farm… those two could run a whole kingdom."
Claribel snorted. "Don't let them hear you say that. They'll take it as a challenge."
Roland laughed, warm and genuine. The whole day's work—harvesting, cooking, blessing the land, preparing gifts for the villagers—had been exhausting, but moments like this made it all worthwhile.
The farm felt alive. Happy. Whole.
He gave the wagon a final pat, then rested his elbows on the fence again, soaking in the soft sounds of the farm and the ridiculous, heart-melting sweetness of his two newly ascended donkeys.
And as Keith quietly whispered, "Your ears look especially cute today," Roland let out a full, bright laugh.
Yeah,he murmured. Life's good.
Keith flicked his tail proudly. "Sarah, the way the sun hits your coat… I swear you could outshine a goddess."
Sarah pressed her cheek to his. "Only because you make every sunrise feel warmer, Keith."
"Oh please," Claribel muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes so hard Roland almost heard it.
But the donkeys did hear her.
Sarah lifted her head, eyes sparkling mischievously. "Oh? Someone's jealous?"
Keith gasped dramatically. "Claribel! Is our love too radiant for you?"
Roland snorted behind the fence. "Careful—she might haul you both back to Tier 2 out of spite."
Claribel crossed her arms. "I'm not jealous. I'm just—just trying to work here."
Keith stepped closer, chin lifted. "Work or avoid admitting you've been spending a lot of time around a certain farmer lately?"
Claribel blinked. "Excuse me?"
Sarah chimed in immediately. "She's right, Keith! Claribel's been smiling more. And she hums now. She only hums when she's crushing on someone."
Claribel sputtered. "I—I hum because I'm happy! The farm is peaceful!"
Keith tapped a hoof. "Mm-hmm. And who's the main reason for that peace?"
Claribel's face went pink.
Roland, who had been perfectly content leaning against the fence enjoying the show, froze. "Hey now—leave me out of this."
But Keith was relentless. "Farmer Roland, sir… when is your wedding with Claribel? We will need matching ribbons. And snacks."
Sarah nodded earnestly. "Lots of snacks. Oh! And what about children? Claribel—when will you settle down and start a big family? You'd be such a cute mom!"
Claribel's entire spirit left her body. "W–W–WHAT?! I—I—no! I mean—maybe! I mean—STOP!"
Her face turned a brilliant shade of tomato red as she waved her arms wildly.
Roland nearly doubled over laughing. "Keith, Sarah, behave!"
But the donkeys were thrilled with themselves.
Keith struck a pose. "We're just supporting love."
Sarah swooned against him. "Because love is beautiful."
Claribel covered her face with both hands. "Please stop talking."
Roland walked over, gently patting her shoulder. "Don't mind them. They're drunk on upgrades."
From behind them:
"You'd make a great mother, Claribel!"
"A wonderful wife, too!"
"STOP TALKING!" she squeaked.
Her blush stretched all the way to her ears.
Roland chuckled softly. The farm felt warm, full of laughter and mischief—alive in a way only family could make it.
Keith and Sarah were not done.
"Claribel~" Sarah sang, "when will the wedding bells ring?"
Keith nodded sagely. "A spring wedding would be perfect. Flowers, sunshine, snacks—"
Before Claribel could shout again, a deep rumble rolled across the yard.
Brontus lifted his great wooden-horned head and grinned. "I agree. A spring wedding is traditional. And fitting."
Maphala's gentle voice followed, warm and teasing. "And they would make such sweet parents… little ones running around the farm."
Claribel choked on air.
Roland turned bright red.
Aeris, the fluffy sheep, let out a delighted snort—an actual snort—before bleating with laughter. Her wool shook so much she had to brace herself against the fence.
Even Verdalis, the young sapling, trembled with glowing leaves as if giggling.
Sol, overwhelmed by the happiness in the air, barked wildly, tail spinning like a propeller. He hopped around Roland and Claribel in circles, adding joyful chaos to the teasing chorus.
The entire farm seemed to erupt in unanimous cheer:
"LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!"
"SPRING WEDDING!"
"CUTE BABIES!"
"FARM FAMILY!"
"SOOOOOL!" (That last one was Sol himself.)
Roland ran a hand over his face. "O–okay! Enough! We have work to do."
Claribel nodded vigorously—even too vigorously. "YES. YES, WORK! So much work. Tons of work. Mountains of work."
Keith and Sarah stared at them, unimpressed.
"BOOOOOOOO!" they cried in perfect harmony.
"That was the worst topic change I've ever heard," Sarah said flatly.
Keith stamped a hoof. "Shameful. Absolutely shameful."
Aeris bleated again, nearly collapsing into giggles. "Oh heavens… I spin better excuses when I trip over my own wool."
Brontus gave a very serious nod. "Indeed. Poor topic transition. Zero craftsmanship."
Maphala sighed dramatically. "And Roland calls himself a nurturer of words."
Roland threw his hands up. "I'm a farmer! Not a poet!"
Claribel laughed despite her blush. "And I'm trying to pack a wagon while being ambushed by… by a farm romance brigade!"
Sol barked happily, as if voting yes in favor of more teasing.
Keith grinned. "We're just trying to support your love story."
"We don't have a love story!" Roland yelped.
The animals responded in a chorus of disappointed groans.
"BOOOOOOO!"
"Awwwww!"
"Just kiss already!"
(Even Aeris joined that last one.)
Roland and Claribel, red as harvest tomatoes, stood side by side with identical expressions of "please let the ground swallow us whole."
Claribel cleared her throat, voice shaky. "R–Roland… let's… finish loading the wagon."
"Yes," he agreed instantly. "Work. Very important. Work." He quickly put his head down and reached for another crate.
Keith and Sarah sighed with exaggerated heartbreak.
"Humans… so slow," Sarah muttered.
Aeris giggled again, shaking her head. "Worst topic change in history."
Roland and Claribel worked in flustered silence for a few moments—though both wore the tiniest, shyest smiles.
The farm buzzed with warmth, mischief, and love… the loud, nosey, family kind.