I ran toward the heart of Bolivé, my feet moving as if they already knew where he was. It felt like an invisible thread was pulling me forward, guiding me straight to him.
Then I stopped.
Time froze the moment I saw him running toward me.
He stopped, too—just a few steps away—his eyes locking onto mine with unmistakable warmth. He had felt me. I knew it. And then he smiled.
Slowly, deliberately, he walked toward me, arms opening as if this was the most natural thing in the world. The gentleness in his gaze made my chest ache. When he reached me, he pulled me into his chest and leaned down, inhaling deeply.
It felt… magical.
"Sienna," he murmured, saying my name like it was something sacred.
He didn't need to say anything else. I could feel it—everything he'd been holding in. The longing. The relief. The affection. His breath brushed the back of my neck again, sending a shiver down my spine.
I became painfully aware of our surroundings.
"Aron," I said softly, pressing my hands against his chest. "Can we… maybe not do this right now?"
I glanced at Nori. She had turned completely red and covered her eyes.
So embarrassing.
I gently stepped back—not rejecting him, just grounding us—and motioned toward Nori.
"Aron, I want you to meet my companion and friend. This is Nori."
Nori stepped forward hesitantly. "H-Hi. I'm Nori. It's nice to meet you. I'm Shelley's—oh—Sienna's apprentice." She waved awkwardly.
"A fox?" Aron muttered, studying her carefully.
"Aron," I said calmly, sensing Nori's discomfort. "I trust her. She's learning. And on our way here, we heard nothing but praise about you. Your people truly admire their king."
Nori's eyes widened. "Wait—you're the King of Bolivé?" She panicked instantly. "I'm so sorry, Your Highness!" She bowed too fast, nearly tripping.
I laughed. "I guess I forgot that part. Don't worry—Aron is kind and merciful… right, Your Highness?"
Before he could respond, a group of goat beastmen rushed toward us.
"Your Highness, we have a serious problem. Our hay, grain, and grass stores have been raided by rats. The fields are infested. We're grateful you've returned," they said urgently.
Aron moved immediately. We followed him to the storage grounds.
The sight was devastating—trampled grain, torn sacks, ruined supplies. The same kind of destruction I'd seen before.
Rats.
Aron issued calm, precise orders. "Salvage what you can. Separate what's still usable."
"Aron," I said quietly, "I've dealt with rats before. If you know where they're hiding, I can help."
"They don't stay in one place," he replied. "That's what makes them dangerous."
As we worked, a herd of sheep approached, their tone sharp.
"Our absent king finally returns," one sneered.
"If you hadn't abandoned us, this wouldn't have happened," another added.
"I accept responsibility for my absence," Aron said evenly. "I will fix this."
I wanted to speak up—to say this wasn't his fault—but this wasn't my fight. What he needed wasn't defense, but support.
So I acted quietly.
Grain reappeared where it shouldn't have. Hay stacks doubled. Corn bundles filled empty spaces. Subtle. Natural.
People stared, confused.
Aron noticed.
"So this is the Goddess of Abundance," he said softly.
"Thank Eriu," I replied. "And let's still have that welcome feast."
Bolivé erupted in celebration. Music, laughter, shared food. Aron moved among his people, smiling—present.
I watched him, hoping he understood how loved he was.
Later, as the celebration faded, I stayed behind to clean. Aron approached, pulled me close, and rested his face against my hair.
"Thank you," he murmured. "You are everything I needed."
I let him stay like that—for just a moment.
Then—
Squeals.
"Your Highness! The rats—they're back!"
Aron moved instantly.
I sent Nori to calm the others and ran to the fields.
The sight made my stomach churn.
Huge black rats with red eyes swarmed the land.
Aron whistled sharply. The rats froze. He summoned a dual-chain scythe and tore through them—but there were too many.
I drew my dagger and immediately gagged.
I screamed.
Aron was at my side in an instant. "Sienna, leave!"
"I won't."
Thinking fast, I touched the soil and manifested mint, lavender, marigold, and catnip in thick rings. The rats recoiled, squealing.
It slowed them—but not enough.
They surged forward again.
Aron fought like a storm—chains flashing, bodies falling—but the swarm kept coming.
If I didn't act—
They would overrun us.
And I knew it.