Gardenia did not care if San Wol swore eternal servitude; nothing would change the suffering she had undergone for millenniums nor the pain she felt when she tore out her own core. San Wol remained prostrated before her old friend even after Gardenia walked away. There was no changing the past.
Jia er was uncertain if he should intervene and chose to follow after his beloved. Just as he caught up to Gardenia, the little fox sprinted past, bumping into her calf and bouncing back on her bottom.
"Forgive me, master; she got away," the guard who had been keeping an eye on the little fox apologized. The little fox nipped at the guard as he tried to pick her up. "She suddenly became erratic and ran off when I tried to feed her."
"Did I not tell you to find her a place to go?" Jia er did not have time to look after children, especially divine ones.
Gardenia walked over and picked up the little fox by the scruff of her neck, then cradled her into her arms the way you would a newborn, "you are the cutest thing I have ever seen." She rubbed her face against the fox's forehead, "where did such an adorable fox come from?" Gardenia had not seen a fox as fluffy and adorable in a very long time. The last time she came upon a fox was around the same time she met the golden dragon. The Fox Deity Huli had been the only one who did not oppose her relationship with Jia er.
"She came through from the Demonic Realm." Jia er kept his distance from the little fox. Children tended to avoid him, and he doubted the little spirit would be any different.
"We should keep her," Gardenia said, already walking away with the sleeping fox in her arms. Huli would like that." She looked at the little fox with great regret when Chu Hua shattered her core. Huli had been banished from the Heavenly Realm for helping hide their relationship from prying eyes. "I think I'll name you Xiao Huli." The little fox continued to dream of rosy clouds and fragrant pavilions, unaware she had just been named.
There were few things Jia er regretted in life, and letting one of his few true friends be banished was one of them. Perhaps taking care of Xiao Huli was a way to repent, but he doubted it would change anything.
How the world turns is hard to predict; at times, one may not be aware of all that is watching us. While Deity Huli had made it known of her approval for a dragon and flower demon spirit to be together, there had been those too low in rank to have any say in the matter, but now, after centuries, the Heavenly Realm had a new High Archy. The reunion of the Heavens greatest mistake had awakened not just the Heavenly Realm's curiosity but also the Fian and Demonic Realms.
Something interesting was about to take play out, and all four players had entered the stage.
After four nights, San Wol finally retired to her chamber. Her muscles ached from kneeling for so long. While Lady Gardenia had not forgiven her, she had not condemned her either. San Wol's attendants busied themselves preparing a medicinal bath when the heavens lit up, illuminating all of the Kingdom of Nocturn, and beyond the great horizon, a new god had descended, and a heavenly tribulation had just been put into motion.
The little fox woke with a start and found she had been wrapped in something warm. She burrowed into whatever she was wrapped in when a familiar voice spoke to her, "Xiao Huli, have you slept well? Would you like something to eat?" Xiao Huli looked toward the voice. Snowy hair was the first thing she saw, followed by the face of a woman she felt she had met before in a distant dream. "Have some sweet persimmon," the white-haired woman scooped her into her arms and brought a slice of persimmon to her lips, "I think you'll like it."
Where had she seen the women, Xiao Huli wondered as she nibbled on the persimmon. There was something soothing about the stranger. Why was she calling her Xiao Huli, who had given her permission to name her? Especially to name her little. She was not little; she was a mighty divine fox. Xiao Huli had been through many hardships, and as much as she wanted to rebuke the stranger's care, she quite enjoyed it.
Now, why was the man who opened the gate here, Xiao Huli wondered, and why was he looking at me with disdain? No matter what, I can make anyone like me. Xiao Huli jumped out of Gardenia's arms, ran over to where Jia was sitting, and rubbed her head against his leg. It wasn't the first time she had used her cuteness to get by. In the Demonic Realm, only the strong and the clever survive.
"She seems to like you," Gardenia said, picking up Xiao Huli and placing her in Jia er's arms. Just pretend she's our baby."
Jia er and Xiao Huli both looked at Gardenia in shock. She had only recently regained her memories, and already, she was asking him to treat the orphan like their child. Jia er tried to recall if Gardenia was ever this brazen but had trouble doing so.
"What do you not want to have a child with me?" Gardenia crossed her arms and cocked her head.
"That's not it at all," Jia er said, setting the little fox on the table where the plate of persimmons was. "I just was not expecting such a request. If you wish, I will have as many children with you as you please."
Gardenia reached over to pet Xiao Huli. "For now, one is alright. Tell me how the Empire of Cardena will fall."
Jia er took Gardenia into his arms, "By your hand and your hand only, my love."
"Then why did you dispose of the Lucia Royal family?" Gardenia pushed him away, taking the empty seat Jia er had occupied.
"I must admit I was ahead of myself, but do not worry, the Imperial family of Cardena still remains." Jia er fell to his knees, took Gardenia's hand into his own, and sealed a promise with a kiss.
Xiao Huli munched on her fruit without a care in the world. The couple's conversation intrigued her, but the fruit was simply too good to ignore. What if the man ate all the persimmons? She rushed to eat and nearly choked. Luckily for her, the man reached over and pulled the fruit out of her throat.
"Be more careful. I am not some degenerate that takes food away from children," Jia er set her back down after using cooling magic to soothe Xiao Huli's throat. Perhaps the man was not so bad, thought Xiao Huli as she waited patiently for the man to feed her the freshly cut pieces of fruit.
San Wol stood outside the High Mage's chamber, barring Rose from entering. The woman claimed it was urgent business, but it was evident that all she wanted was to intervene in Lady Gardenia and his Imperial Highness's affairs.
Rose had made her interest in her Master evident from the moment they set foot in Nocturn. She did little to hide her desire for him. San Wol would be damned if she allowed anyone to intervene in Lady Gardenia and her Master's relationship.