The hill was quiet, bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun. White and yellow daisies swayed gently in the breeze, creating a soft, waving sea around Lena as she sat cross-legged, a half-eaten burrito in her hands.
Ashikai, her orange-furred companion, was sprawled across her lap, purring softly as the sun warmed him. Every so often, his tail flicked, brushing against a daisy or nudging her hand.
"You know," Lena murmured, leaning back on her hands, "this is my new favorite spot. Burrito, sun, daisies… life could be worse."
Life could be worse, Ashikai replied in her mind, ears twitching. Much worse. But this—this is tolerable.
Lena smirked and nudged him gently. "Tolerable? You always sound so dramatic."
The fox let out a lazy hum of acknowledgment, eyes half-closed. I'm conserving energy. You're doing enough for both of us.
She laughed softly, taking another bite of her burrito, letting the flavors mix with the scent of flowers. There was a simple joy here, one that had been absent from her life for weeks. She glanced down at Ashikai, smiling at the small rise and fall of his chest as he slept. "You really like it here, don't you?"
It's quiet. Peaceful. I could stay like this forever… if you weren't so messy with food, he teased.
Lena shook her head, smiling. "I'll take that as a compliment."
They were mid-lull in their easy companionship when movement caught Lena's eye—a shadow on the hill's lower path. A guard emerged, polished boots crunching against the grass, expression sharp and businesslike. Lena tensed instinctively.
The guard's eyes flicked briefly to her, and then he turned his attention to the distance, calling over his shoulder. "Your Majesty, urgent summons. The king's presence is required immediately. This matter cannot wait."
Lena's eyes widened slightly. "Uh… urgent, huh?" she muttered under her breath, finishing the last bite of her burrito. Ashikai lifted his head, ears pricked, and growled softly.
Trouble smells like that, he said in her mind.
The guard didn't glance at her again, only flashed a quick, polite smile—almost playful—before turning and striding down the hill toward the palace. Lena watched him go, burrito wrapper crumpled in her hand.
"Well," she muttered to Ashikai, "looks like the king's got some urgent nonsense to deal with. Lucky him."
The fox flicked his ears, stretching luxuriously. Lucky him? More like doomed. I can feel the tension from here.
Lena laughed quietly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I don't know, I kinda like this peace. The king can stew. We've got our daisies, our hill… and this burrito." She nudged him. "And you, of course, Mr. Dramatic."
I am dramatic, Ashikai conceded, tail flicking. And observant. Never forget that.
Lena smirked, scratching behind his ears. "Yes, yes, you're both. Observant and dramatic. We'll call it even if you let me finish my snack in peace."
He purred in acquiescence, settling back down into her lap.
The guard's footsteps had long disappeared toward the palace, leaving only the wind, the rustling daisies, and their small, stolen moment of quiet. Lena leaned back, eyes closed, savoring the warmth and simplicity around her, thinking how rare such moments were.
"Someday," she whispered softly, "I'll come back here… and nothing will be able to bother us."
Until the world remembers we exist, Ashikai added.
She smiled faintly, rolling her eyes. "Yeah… I guess that's true. But for now, we have this hill, this burrito… and you. That's enough."
The breeze swept over them again, carrying petals and the distant hum of bees. Lena opened her eyes, looking over the endless sea of daisies, feeling a rare calm. The kingdom, the crown, the mark—they could wait. For now, this small hillside was theirs.
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