The aftermath of the two-day honeymoon was easily the most blissful—and physically demanding—two days of Bunny's life.
Aurabelle had always considered herself energetic. Even before joining the Vixens she had been strong for a Rabbitkin, but after a full year of carefully distributing her iPoints into endurance, agility, and vitality, she had become something far beyond the village girl she once was.
And yet…
Even with all that strength…
She still could not tire Jax.
That realization should have frustrated her.
Instead it left her smiling in a way she couldn't quite hide.
Because if there was one failure she would gladly accept, it was losing to Jax in a battle of endurance.
It had been nearly fourteen hours of pure, unrestrained happiness spread across the two days.
Fourteen hours that left her body exhausted, her legs weak, and her mind floating somewhere between satisfaction and disbelief.
Failure never felt so good.
As their wagon rolled slowly back toward Burrowlane, Bunny rested her head against Jax's shoulder and sighed happily.
Part of her desperately wanted several more days like that.
Another part of her quietly begged the gods for a little recovery time.
When the wagon finally returned to the village, the Vixens were already waiting near the main house where they had stayed as honored guests.
Nyxian spotted Bunny first.
The succubus moved fast.
Before Bunny even stepped down from the wagon, Nyxian had wrapped her in a tight hug.
"You don't need to say a single word," Nyxian said with a grin.
Bunny blinked.
"What?"
Nyxian pointed upward dramatically.
"We all got the system notifications."
Bunny froze.
The other girls burst out laughing.
Zee covered her face with both hands, blushing bright red.
Llandra tried to maintain her composure, but even she couldn't stop the smile forming on her lips.
Nyxian leaned in closer.
"I hope it delivered enough."
Bunny groaned.
"It did," she admitted. "But now I need a vacation to recover from my honeymoon."
The girls erupted in laughter again.
They surrounded Bunny, hugging her and teasing her endlessly while she tried—and failed—to look dignified.
Jax simply shook his head with an amused smile.
Eventually the group moved toward the house where Bunny's massive family was waiting to say their final farewells.
Despite the short visit, Jax had made quite the impression.
Rabbitkin valued strength, honesty, and hard work.
Jax had demonstrated all three.
Before the group departed, several requests were made.
Bunny's father approached Jax with a serious expression.
"There is something we'd like to ask of you."
Jax nodded.
"Name it."
After a short discussion, Jax agreed to construct another teleportation gate on the outskirts of the village near an old farmhouse.
The location would allow safer trade access while keeping the main settlement from becoming overcrowded with travelers.
It would also give the Rabbitkin village a direct connection to the growing trade network around Solmere.
But that wasn't the only surprise.
Bunny's twin brother, Auron, stepped forward next.
Beside him stood one of Bunny's sisters and her husband, along with several cousins.
They looked slightly nervous.
"We talked about your offer," Auron said.
"The one about helping run some of your businesses."
Jax smiled.
"And?"
Auron scratched the back of his head.
"Well… if the offer still stands…"
"It does."
Relief spread across their faces immediately.
Rabbitkin valued independence, but they also valued opportunity.
Running businesses in Hairbro or Solmere meant stable work, better income, and the chance to help their extended family.
Gratitude filled the group.
Several of them bowed slightly in appreciation.
Jax waved it off casually.
"Just work hard," he said.
"That's all I ask."
With final hugs, laughter, and more promises to visit soon, the Vixens gathered near the newly constructed gate.
Moments later, the familiar swirl of magic activated.
And the group returned home.
To Solmere.
Meanwhile — Alexandria
Hundreds of miles away, a very different reunion was taking place.
Inside the Imperial Castle of Alexandria, the atmosphere was cold and calculating.
A private meeting had been arranged.
Only four individuals were present.
The Queen.
General Korvin.
General Veynor.
And General Malreth.
Torches flickered along the stone walls of the chamber as the Queen sat calmly at the head of the table.
Her fingers rested lightly against the arm of the throne-like chair.
"So," she began quietly.
"What do we know about what is happening in the Beastkin Territories?"
She intentionally refused to call them the United Kingdoms.
"And this… new player?"
General Korvin stepped forward.
The intelligence commander was a tall, thin man with sharp features and calculating eyes.
"The unrest appears to coincide with the appearance of a human."
He paused briefly.
"His name is Jax Darquebane."
The Queen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And where did he come from?"
Korvin shook his head.
"That… remains unclear."
"We have no records of him prior to roughly a year ago."
"He simply… appeared."
Malreth leaned forward with interest.
"And in that time?"
Korvin continued.
"He dismantled the Slave Guild's influence in multiple territories."
"He established trade routes between cities using teleportation gates."
"He commands the loyalty of several powerful adventurers."
Korvin hesitated.
"And he appears frequently alongside a group of women known collectively as the Vixens."
Veynor chuckled quietly.
"Ah yes."
"The famous harem."
Korvin ignored the remark.
"In several cities, murals and statues have already been built in their honor."
Malreth raised an eyebrow.
"That kind of influence in a single year?"
Korvin nodded.
"It is… unusual."
The Queen tapped her finger slowly against the arm of her chair.
"Is he the same man who destroyed our army?"
Korvin folded his hands behind his back.
"We cannot confirm it with absolute certainty."
"But all available evidence suggests that it is."
Silence filled the room.
Then the Queen spoke.
"It is him."
Her certainty left no room for debate.
The generals exchanged glances.
"But where did he come from?" she continued.
"What are his powers?"
Veynor leaned back slightly in his chair.
"We know who he surrounds himself with."
His smile was sharp.
"Perhaps we approach him through them."
Korvin immediately shook his head.
"My network is already in place."
"If anyone should lead this investigation, it should be me."
Veynor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your network?"
He leaned forward.
"With all that information, you still failed to stop the towns that attempted to secede from the Empire."
The jab landed.
Malreth smirked.
The Queen remained silent for several moments.
Thinking.
Finally she spoke.
"Korvin."
He straightened.
"You will take point on this matter."
Korvin nodded confidently.
But she wasn't finished.
"We require more information."
Her voice turned colder.
"But if you fail…"
Her eyes drifted toward Veynor.
"…then we will pursue other tactics."
"And perhaps other leadership."
The challenge hung in the air.
Korvin bowed his head slightly.
"As you command."
But inside, he was already certain of his success.
Across the table, General Veynor said nothing.
He simply watched.
And waited.
Patiently.
For his moment.