The moment they stepped into the village, a wave of excitement rushed through the crowd. Villagers dropped their baskets, ran from their homes, and even tripped over themselves to gather around.
A little girl with pigtails tugged at her mother's sleeve, pointing at Saanvi.
"Mama! The Goddess has returned!"
Saanvi froze. Devran, Tianlan, Wei Zhan, and Xie Lian turned to look at her, confused. Vihaan, however, smirked.
An elderly man with a long white beard hobbled forward, hands trembling with emotion. "Great one! You have returned to save us again!"
Saanvi's soul nearly left her body. Again?! When did she save them the first time?!
She forced a nervous laugh and cleared her throat. "Ahaha… I think you might be mistaken… I have never been here before!"
The old man shook his head furiously. "No, no! You were here many moons ago! You saved our village from destruction!"
Saanvi blinked. "…I did?"
Vihaan leaned in, whispering, "Care to explain, my dear 'Goddess'?"
She kicked his foot discreetly and turned back to the villagers. "Um… how exactly did I save you?"
A middle-aged woman clasped her hands together. "A year ago, a great disaster struck! A child was trapped in the river currents, and a divine lady appeared from nowhere, pulling him out before vanishing into the mist!"
Saanvi's brain malfunctioned.
A child? A river? Mist?
She thought hard… then suddenly remembered.
One year ago… she was traveling through this area and saw a boy who tripped into a shallow stream. She had helped him up, dried his clothes, and left.
That was it. That was the whole story.
But over time, the villagers had exaggerated it into a legend of divine intervention!
"We knew you would return in our time of need!" another villager cried. "The crops are failing, and our livestock are sick! Only you can bless us again!"
Saanvi gulped. "Ah… about that—"
Vihaan threw an arm around her shoulder and grinned. "Of course she will help! She's a kind, generous, divine lady, after all!"
Saanvi stepped on his foot hard.
Vihaan (smiling through pain): "Ouch! I meant… she will do her best!"
Devran crossed his arms. "So… you can't actually bless crops, can you?"
Saanvi cleared her throat. "Technically, no… but how hard can it be?" (Internally panicking.)
Tianlan, arms folded, muttered. "I have a feeling this will be entertaining."
Wei Zhan sighed. "Do we have to get involved in this nonsense?"
Xie Lian, ever the loyal bodyguard, whispered. "Your Highness, it may be wise to observe. There is something odd about this village."
As the villagers cheered and prepared offerings for their "goddess," Saanvi clenched her fists.
She sighed. "Why is my life like this?"
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