Haruhime's First Day at the Emporium
Haruhime stood nervously at the front doors of Aeternum Emporium, wearing her new white-and-gold dress. Her tail twitched anxiously as she adjusted the ribbon around her waist.
"Are you ready?" Aeron asked gently.
She nodded, cheeks warm. "Y-yes… I will do my best."
The moment the store opened—
Chaos.
Lines out the door.
Adventurers shouting excitedly.
Women squealing over jewelry.
Men gawking at magic weapons.
Children dragging parents inside.
Haruhime panicked instantly.
"U-Um—h-hello—thank you for coming—please don't push—oh gods—Aeron—!"
Aeron appeared behind her, hands resting gently on her shoulders.
"You'll be fine."
Haruhime froze instantly, gaining courage from his touch.
"I… I will try."
She worked the counters, helped customers, bowed politely, even charmed a few adventurers. Other employees adored her immediately.
But one thing kept happening:
Whenever Aeron walked by, Haruhime's tail puffed full.
Whenever Aeron praised her, she nearly fainted.
Whenever other women flirted with Aeron—
She glared.
Surprisingly intensely.
A catgirl coworker leaned over.
"Ooh, look at you, Haruhime~ jealous much?"
"N-No! I simply… I simply…"
Aeron approached.
Haruhime squeaked and hid behind the counter.
He smiled.
"Doing well?"
"Y-yes…" she whispered, tail swishing shyly.
---
— Rose (the red-haired Renard Guild officer) visits the shop
Rose Fannett arrived unannounced, stomping into the Emporium with her usual strict expression.
"Where is Aeron? I need to speak with—"
She froze.
Because Aeron appeared behind her silently.
"Hello, Rose."
Her ears shot up and turned red.
"D-Don't sneak up on me like that!"
Aeron smirked. "You make it too easy."
She glared, flustered.
Haruhime peeked around a shelf, watching closely.
Rose crossed her arms. "I came because your spending has triggered five separate guild audits today."
"Already?"
"Yes!" Rose nearly shouted. "Two billion valis for a single girl?! Who does that!?"
Aeron shrugged. "Someone with good taste."
Rose's tail bristled.
She stepped closer.
"Are you mocking me?"
"A little."
Her face heated. "S-Stop that!"
"Why?" Aeron asked calmly. "It's fun watching you react."
Haruhime pouted in the background.
Rose noticed.
"Oh," Rose said flatly. "The fox princess is jealous."
Haruhime sputtered. "I-I—That's not true—!"
Aeron put a hand on Haruhime's head.
She melted on the spot.
Rose glared harder. "Y-You're doing this on purpose."
"Yes."
Rose turned red again.
"I am leaving!" she snapped—and stomped out while Aeron chuckled softly.
Haruhime stared after her.
"…She likes you too."
Aeron smiled. "Probably."
Haruhime puffed her cheeks.
---
— Demeter Arrives
Demeter entered the shop like sunrise itself—warm, golden, smiling, bringing a gentleness that made even the rowdiest adventurers settle.
"Aeron~" she called softly. "I brought you some fresh fruit."
Aeron approached, smiling back.
"You're too kind."
"Nonsense. You look like you forget to eat."
Demeter cupped his cheek affectionately, inspecting him with goddess-like thoroughness. He didn't flinch.
Haruhime flinched for him.
"W-w-wait—she's touching his face—!"
Demeter leaned close. "You're quite radiant today. Did something good happen?"
Aeron smirked. "Possibly."
Demeter's eyes glimmered knowingly.
"You're trouble," she whispered.
"Only for you?"
Demeter laughed softly—a warm sound that melted the room.
"Well… if you're offering trouble, I may accept."
Haruhime's tail exploded.
Rose would faint if she saw this.
Riveria would combust.
Demeter eventually drifted around the shop, inspecting stock, humming pleasantly.
Before she left, she leaned close and whispered:
"Visit me sometime. I enjoy your company more than I should."
Haruhime looked devastated.
Aeron simply smiled.
---
— The Gods & Guild Meeting
Later that night, in a private Guild chamber:
Loki, Freya, Ganesha, Demeter, Miach, Hephaestus, Eina, and several executives gathered around a long table.
The Guild president sighed.
"Discussion topic one: The elf named Aeron."
Everyone went silent.
Hephaestus crossed her arms. "He built a park next to my store out of pure pettiness."
Loki snickered. "And it's gorgeous."
Demeter smiled softly. "He has a wonderful heart."
Freya's eyes glowed faint silver. "He is… unusually radiant."
Everyone stiffened slightly.
When Freya said "radiant," it usually meant obsession.
"He spends money like a god," the Guild president said. "But isn't one. And his valis check out as legitimate."
The room buzzed.
Loki leaned forward. "Rumor says he spent two billion on a Renard."
Demeter smiled. "It was sweet."
Freya narrowed her eyes. "I want to meet him."
"That's dangerous," Miach said gently.
Freya smiled.
"That is why I want it."
Eina raised her hand timidly.
"He also single-handedly stabilized three nearby districts with his shop. Prices dropped. Economic flow increased. Frontline adventurers now have cheaper access to supplies."
Everyone paused.
Hephaestus exhaled in frustration. "He's helping the city more than half the gods in this room."
Freya smirked.
"And that makes him all the more fascinating."
The Guild president buried his face in his hands.