Aunt Sabby had previously observed Xavier’s budding interest in Hera, though, at that time, Xavier himself had yet to fully recognize his feelings. As a result, he hadn’t been overtly obvious about it. However, now, as Aunt Sabby mentioned the term "boyfriend," Xavier couldn’t help but appear fidgety, betraying his newfound awareness of his feelings for Hera.
"Good morning, Aunty. You must be the kind-hearted auntie who’s been looking after Hera around here," Leo greeted Aunt Sabby warmly. Without hesitation, Leo introduced himself to Aunt Sabby, not hesitating to assume the role of the presumed boyfriend. Earlier that morning, Aunt Sabby had already received a visual treat from three good-looking individuals, bringing a smile to her face as Leo approached her.
"What a charming young man you are! Will you be joining our celebration as well?" Aunt Sabby’s tone was light-hearted, but her words carried a hint of seriousness. "You’d better keep a close eye on Hera. She’s not only beautiful but also kind-hearted. Only a fool would let her slip away, and I know there’ll be plenty of guys interested in her. So, you might want to secure her affections sooner rather thanter," she advised, trailing her words with augh, leaving everyone uncertain whether she was jesting or offering genuine advice.
Hera brushed off Aunt Sabby’sment as a harmless jest, knowing her tendency to speak freely. However, what caught her off guard was not Aunt Sabby’s teasing, but Leo’s response. "If I had my way, I’d do more than just put a fence around her—I’d slip a ring on her finger. Then, no one could ever steal her away from me. Right?" Leo’s words took Hera by surprise, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Hera’s jaw dropped as she listened to the banter between Aunt Sabby and Leo, and she couldn’t help but feel a flutter of surprise at Leo’s response. As Leo responded to Aunt Sabby’s teasing with a gentle nce, Hera felt a warmth spread through her.
"That’s cheating!" Xavier interjected abruptly, reacting to Leo’s remark. "Why put a ring on her finger before even courting her?" His question hung in the air, echoing the thoughts racing through Hera’s mind.
As Xavier and Leo engaged in their banter, Hera couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly. "Brother Xavier, you’re missing the point entirely," she thought, trying to suppress a smile at their antics. Meanwhile, Aunt Sabby watched with amusement from the sidelines, clearly enjoying the yful exchange she had sparked between the two men. If given the chance, Hera imagined Aunt Sabby would be watching with popcorn and a coke in hand, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle.
"Of course, to secure that she’d be forever mine and I could court her every day of our lives after, it was only to secure that no other men could put themselves in between. Afterall, there are many male vixens lurking in the dark." Leo’s words trail off in hisst sentence as he looked at Xavier and he even remembered those other men who have been eyeing Hera. He secretly gritted his teeth just remembering them.
Hera dismissed the yful banter between Xavier and Leo, turning her attention directly to Aunt Sabby. "Aunt Sabby, where will the celebration be heldter? My team and I would like to express our gratitude to the vigers for their hospitality during our stay by preparing a meal for everyone."
Aunt Sabby’s eyes lit up with delight as Hera expressed her consideration for the vigers. "We have a dedicated hall for big celebrations in the vige. How about we host it there, and I’ll rally all my friends to assist you," Aunt Sabby proposed eagerly. Pausing for a moment, a hint of sadness flickered across her face as she recalled something. "Weren’t you all nning to leave at noon? Perhaps we could hold the celebration during lunchtime," she suggested, her gaze lingering on Hera with a sense of longing. She knew that after today, they might not see Hera again, and she felt a deepening bond with her during her time in the vige so it was also hard for her, like a mother sending her child away to work in the city.