Word spread fast.
Freya stepping into Aeron's shop was like a divine earthquake.
By sunrise, the entire city was buzzing:
"Freya personally visited him?!"
"She NEVER does that."
"Is he immune to gods?"
"Is he seducing them on purpose?"
"Riveria spent the night with him first!"
"Haruhime works for him and follows him around like a puppy!"
"Aiz trains with him every day!"
Aeron walked through the morning crowd like none of it mattered.
Because it didn't.
But to the people observing him?
He was a walking rumor machine.
---
— Haruhime and Riveria Meet (Jealousy Sparks)
Inside the Emporium, Haruhime was dusting shelves, humming softly, ears perked and tail swaying gently. She was glowing—happy, safe, and free.
Then Riveria walked in.
The elf princess carried herself with her usual regal grace, expression calm…
…but her eyes briefly met Haruhime's.
Haruhime tensed immediately.
Riveria nodded politely.
"Good morning."
"M-Morning, Lady Riveria…" Haruhime murmured, bowing slightly.
Riveria's gaze wandered around the shop before settling—inevitably—on the stairs leading to the upper floors where Aeron lived.
"…Is Aeron awake?" she asked.
Haruhime straightened, ears twitching. "Y-Yes. He's on the roof."
Riveria nodded.
Then Haruhime added, with uncharacteristic boldness:
"…He likes the sunrise."
Riveria's eyebrow lifted.
"And you know that from experience?"
Haruhime turned pink.
"I-I—well—yes—sometimes I—"
Riveria's lips curled in the faintest, most elegant smirk.
"Interesting."
Haruhime wilted.
"Oh no… she's scary…"
Riveria turned gracefully and walked to the roof.
Haruhime stared after her, tail drooping.
"…She's an elf princess. How can I compete with that…?"
But then she remembered Aeron telling her she was worth every valis.
Her tail instantly perked back up.
---
— Aiz Steps In (More Jealousy)
Aiz entered the shop at that exact moment.
"Haruhime," she asked softly, "is Aeron here?"
Haruhime's tail puffed.
"R-Riveria already went up."
Aiz blinked.
"…Oh."
The atmosphere shifted.
Two girls.
One elf.
One Renard.
Both staring at the same staircase.
Haruhime whispered, "A-Aiz… are you… also…"
Aiz looked at her with a gentle, honest expression.
"…I like being around him."
Haruhime nearly fainted.
And yet…
Aiz stepped forward and offered her hand.
"Let's… not fight," she said quietly.
Haruhime froze, then slowly took her hand.
"…Okay."
But their tails were bristling in perfect synchronization.
---
— Riveria Confronts Aeron (Private, Long, Emotional)
Riveria reached the roof.
Aeron stood at the railing, watching the sunrise paint Orario gold. His hair caught the light like silver threads.
He didn't turn around.
"Your magic's calmer today."
Riveria stiffened.
"You can sense that?"
"Yes."
She walked to stand beside him.
Silence.
Finally she spoke.
"I heard Freya visited."
Aeron nodded. "She did."
"…And?"
"And she's curious."
Riveria closed her eyes briefly.
"Aeron," she said softly, "Freya is dangerous. She takes what she wants. If she desires you, she will not hesitate."
Aeron looked at her gently.
"Are you worried?"
Riveria hesitated.
"…Yes."
Aeron stepped closer.
Close enough that she felt his warmth.
He reached out—slowly—and took her hand.
Riveria inhaled sharply.
"I'm not hers," Aeron said softly. "And I won't be anyone's unless I choose."
Riveria stared at him, breath uneven.
"You are too calm," she whispered. "Too unshaken."
"That bothers you?"
"No," she admitted. "It frightens me… because I find myself drawn to it."
Aeron's thumb brushed her knuckles.
Riveria's heart jumped.
"Then don't fight it," he murmured.
Riveria's cheeks warmed, but she squeezed his hand back—once, gently—before pulling away with a composed breath.
"…I am not done sorting my feelings."
"That's fine."
She turned to leave—
—but paused at the door.
"Aeron."
"Yes?"
"…Thank you. For not letting Freya sway you."
He smiled.
"She's not the one I'm giving attention to right now."
Riveria nearly lost her composure again.
---
— Freya Tries Again (But Aeron Doesn't Bend)
Later, as Aeron walked through the city's upper streets, he sensed a presence behind him.
Silver.
Soft.
Alluring.
Freya.
"You walk fast," she said, appearing beside him.
"You follow fast."
Freya smiled. "I don't usually chase. But you're worth the effort."
Aeron chuckled softly.
"Flattering."
"Truth." She leaned closer. "Tell me, Aeron… what kind of woman do you want?"
His smile deepened.
"Someone honest."
Freya blinked.
For the first time in centuries, she hesitated.
Aeron walked past her.
"You're many things, Freya," he said gently. "But honest isn't one of them."
Freya froze.
Then she smiled.
A dangerous, delighted smile.
"…You're going to be very hard to win," she whispered.
"Good luck."
Freya actually laughed.
Oh yes—
She was hooked.
— Demeter Visits the Rooftop Garden
The Emporium's roof had become a quiet garden—a place Aeron casually built with Minecraft freedom. Fruit trees, soft grass, stone benches, flowers arranged in soothing patterns.
Demeter loved it.
She appeared holding a picnic basket.
"Aeron~ I brought lunch."
He sat beside her under a fig tree.
Demeter's presence was warm. A comforting softness no other goddess had.
"Aeron," she said, watching him with gentle eyes, "you look tired."
"A little."
"You work too hard."
He smirked. "You spend too much time bringing me food."
Demeter placed a hand against his cheek.
"Because I want to," she whispered.
Aeron didn't pull away.
Demeter's cheeks warmed, and she smiled softly.
"I know the other women chase you," she murmured. "But I don't mind waiting."
Aeron's expression softened.
"You're patient."
"Gardens don't bloom in a day," she said. "Neither do hearts."
Aeron looked at her with genuine appreciation.
Demeter glowed.
---
— Guild & Loki Familia Chaotic Reaction
Later that night:
Eina: "FREYA IS CHASING HIM. RIVERIA SPENT THE NIGHT WITH HIM. DEMETER IS BRINGING HIM LUNCH. WHAT IS HAPPENING!?"
The Guild director: "HE IS A SOCIAL CATACLYSM."
Loki Familia overhearing:
Tiona: "Riveriaaa~ he's soo popular~!"
Tione smirking: "Admit it. You love it."
Riveria, red: "Silence."
Aiz: "...I want to see him again tomorrow."
Lefiya sobbing into a pillow: "W-Why is everyone falling for him?! Even Lady Riveria… even Aiz—!"
Bete: "He's too smug. Punch him."
Aiz: "No."
Riveria: "Absolutely not."
Demeter, somewhere else: "Aeron is adorable."
Freya on a rooftop: "Mine."
Aeron?
Sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the chaos he caused.