Ethan sat at the kitchen table, physically present, but spiritually dead.
On one side, Celestia, Second Princess of the Kingdom, sat with perfect posture, carefully slicing into a piece of bread with the precision of a noble.
On the other side, Tamamo, the mischievous fox spirit, sipped tea from an elegant porcelain cup that did not belong to this house.
And across from them, Mia happily enjoyed her breakfast, oblivious to the disaster unfolding before Ethan's eyes.
It was a nightmare scenario.
A royal princess. A chaotic fox. And his completely innocent little sister, who was unknowingly making everything worse.
Ethan wanted to die.
Celestia took a sip of water, then turned her piercing blue eyes on him.
"Your home is… humble," she said.
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
"It's a farm."
Celestia nodded. "A simple life. I can respect that."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"
Celestia placed her cup down carefully. "I told you. I am looking for a great warrior."
Ethan exhaled slowly. "Yeah, well, you're wasting your time. I'm just a farmer."
Celestia tilted her head slightly, as if evaluating him.
Then—
"…I disagree."
Ethan groaned internally.
Here we go.
Celestia set her utensils down and folded her hands together, watching him carefully.
"You carry yourself differently," she said. "Your movements, your posture… Even in casual settings, you instinctively avoid openings. That is not something a simple farmer learns."
Ethan stiffened.
"…I don't know what you're talking about."
Celestia's eyes gleamed. "You also reacted too quickly when I approached."
Ethan tensed further.
Mia, still munching on bread, finally spoke up.
"That just means big bro is really careful!" she said cheerfully. "He's always protecting me, after all!"
Celestia's gaze softened slightly as she looked at Mia.
"…I see."
Then, her eyes flicked back to Ethan.
"That is admirable," she said. "But it does not change the fact that you are hiding something."
Ethan gritted his teeth.
He needed to change the topic. Fast.
Then—
Tamamo let out a content sigh.
"My, my~ This breakfast is delightful~"
Ethan immediately glared at her.
"Why are you even here?" he snapped.
Tamamo pouted. "Ethan~ Why must you be so cruel? Can't I simply enjoy breakfast with my future husband?"
Ethan nearly knocked over his chair.
"I'M NOT YOUR FUTURE ANYTHING."
Mia twitched.
Ethan froze.
Slowly, very slowly, he turned to look at his little sister—
And saw her staring into the distance, gripping her fork, deep in thought.
Ethan's stomach dropped.
Oh no.
She was thinking about it again.
"…Big bro," Mia murmured.
Ethan swallowed hard. "M-Mia. Don't."
Mia's eyes narrowed.
"You and Tamamo do spend a lot of time together…"
"MIA, PLEASE—"
"And she always calls you 'dear Ethan'…"
"MIA, FOR THE LOVE OF—"
Mia gripped her head. "Oh no. OH NO. It really does make sense."
Ethan felt his soul leave his body.
Then—
Celestia, who had been silently watching the entire exchange, suddenly spoke.
"…Fiancée?"
Ethan flinched violently.
Oh, gods.
He did not want to go through this again.
Celestia eyed Tamamo carefully.
Then, to Ethan's absolute horror—
She nodded.
"I see," she said. "So that's how it is."
Ethan panicked. "NO. THAT'S NOT HOW IT IS."
Tamamo simply sipped her tea elegantly.
"Ara~ How wonderful that you understand, Princess~"
Celestia ignored Ethan's protests and turned to Tamamo.
"…You are skilled."
Tamamo smiled. "Fufu~ I suppose you could say that."
Celestia nodded. "Then I will challenge you."
Silence.
Ethan blinked. "Wait. WHAT?"
Celestia placed a hand over her sword.
"If you truly are his fiancée," she said, "then I must test your abilities myself."
Tamamo grinned.
"Oh my~ How bold, Princess. But are you certain?"
Celestia nodded firmly.
"A knight must be stronger than the one they protect."
Tamamo tilted her head playfully. "Ara~? So this is not a duel for love, but a duel for strength?"
Celestia frowned slightly. "Love has nothing to do with this."
Tamamo pouted dramatically.
"My, my. Such a shame~"
Ethan, meanwhile, was clutching his head.
WHAT THE HELL WAS HAPPENING?!
This was supposed to be breakfast!
How had it turned into a duel between a royal princess and a trickster fox goddess?!
He stood up abruptly. "Okay, NO. Absolutely not. I'm putting a stop to this right now—"
Then—
BOOM.
A loud explosion-like sound erupted from outside.
The house shook slightly.
Everyone paused.
Ethan groaned.
"…I don't even want to know," he muttered.
Mia blinked. "Big bro, what was that?"
Celestia frowned. "That came from my knights."
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose.
Of course it did.
He took a deep breath. "Fine. Let's go see what fresh hell is waiting for me outside."
And with that, he stormed toward the door.