The return of a sly little fox :)
The tranquil moment in the garden was abruptly shattered. Just as Usagi was about to respond to Sterling's heartfelt vow, a flash of fiery orange streaked across the garden path. A lithe figure, with vibrant crimson hair, pointed fox ears twitching wildly, and a bushy, magnificent fox tail swishing behind her, came darting past, barely missing Lyraen, who had just entered the garden.
"Sterling! My Sterling!" a high-pitched, gleeful voice shrieked.
It was Princess Vixen, the sole heir to the cunning Fox Kingdom, a realm known for its intricate politics and sly diplomacy. Vixen, renowned for her beauty and her equally notorious infatuation with Sterling, ignored everyone else. Her bright, intelligent fox eyes locked onto Sterling, and she launched herself at him, her arms wrapping around him in a surprisingly tight embrace. Her fox tail wagged furiously, a vibrant plume of orange against the subdued greens of the garden.
Sterling, ever the picture of calm, barely flinched at the unexpected assault. He caught her with practiced ease, a small, weary sigh escaping his lips. "Princess Vixen," he said, his voice polite but firm, "it is a pleasure to see you, but perhaps a more formal greeting would be appropriate."
Vixen, however, was deaf to his remonstrations. She simply burrowed her face into his chest, her fox ears pressed against his shoulder. "Oh, Sterling, my love! I've missed you so! Did you think of me? Did you pine for me in my absence?"
Usagi, who had been sitting wide-eyed through this entire chaotic entrance, couldn't help but let out a soft, delighted giggle. The sight of the prim and proper Sterling being accosted by such an energetic and unashamedly affectionate princess was utterly charming, and a welcome distraction from the heavy emotions that had just filled their conversation.
Lyraen, who had followed the blur of orange into the garden, watched the scene unfold with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. He recognized Princess Vixen instantly – her relentless pursuit of Sterling was a long-standing courtly joke. He walked over to Usagi, a soft, fond smile on his face, relieved to see her safe and even more relieved to see her giggling. He sat beside her on the bench, taking her hand in his.
"It seems Sterling has his hands full," Lyraen murmured, a hint of a smile in his voice. "She's been chasing him for years. A persistent little fox, that one." He leaned in closer to Usagi, his golden eyes filled with warmth. "But now," he whispered, his voice more serious, "we need to talk about why my beautiful wife was out of her chambers without my explicit permission." The smile on his face was gone, replaced by the same stern, yet concerned, expression she had seen earlier. The playful chaos of the fox princess had offered a temporary reprieve, but the serious conversation about Usagi's safety was now due.