Fox Lian was trapped in a nightmare so vivid it felt real.
In the dream, a golden decree from the God Clan's supreme temple descended upon the academy. Stern priests pronounced a cold judgment—Emma must immediately return to the God Clan to fulfill a political marriage, securing their bloodline.
He saw Emma, pale-faced, remove the fox-ear pendant he had carved for her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she placed it into his palm, her voice breaking: "Forget me, Fox Lian."
He tried desperately to hold on, tail wrapping tightly around her wrist, but could only watch as she turned away, vanishing into blinding golden light. The icy touch of the pendant in his hand, the shattering pain in his heart—so real…
"No… Emma… don't go…"
Fox Lian jolted upright in bed, chest heaving, silver hair damp with sweat, violet eyes still haunted by terror and tears. Instinctively, he reached to the side—
And touched warm, living skin.
"Mm… Fox Lian?" Emma stirred, rubbing her eyes, confused by his pale face and damp lashes. "What's wrong? Nightmare?"
Fox Lian stared blankly at the very real Emma, tousled with sleep, then looked down at his empty palm, and finally at the silver tail instinctively curling around her waist in comfort.
A dream? That agonizing separation, the cold decree, the despairing tears… all a dream?
The contrast left him shaken, heart still pounding from the pain of the vision.
Emma, seeing his lost expression and reddened eyes, leaned closer, fingertips brushing away the moisture at his lashes. Her tone was worried, with a teasing lilt: "Really a nightmare? What did you dream? Don't tell me… you dreamed I didn't want you anymore?"
She spoke lightly, but Fox Lian's body stiffened, panic flashing in his violet eyes, tail tightening unconsciously.
Emma blinked, then burst into laughter, pinching his tense fox ears: "Silly fox, you really dreamed that? Have you been sneaking too many mortal romance tales?"
Embarrassed by her laughter, Fox Lian swept her into his arms, burying his face in her neck, muffled voice full of grievance and lingering fear: "You're still laughing! I dreamed you were taken back by your clan to marry someone else! You even cruelly returned the necklace to me…"
Emma melted at his childlike complaint. She hugged him back, fingers stroking his back and tail, soothing his tension.
"Idiot," she said with gentle warmth, "you must have been half-asleep. Since when has the God Clan had such forced marriage rules? Even if they did…"
She lifted her head, cupping his face, meeting his tear-bright violet eyes with firm resolve: "Even if that day ever came, I would never let go. No one could take me from my fluffy fox."
Fox Lian saw the clear love and unwavering determination in her gaze. The nightmare's icy despair dissolved, his violet eyes shining again like stars after rain.
"You said it." He pressed his forehead to hers, nose brushing hers, tail wagging happily as it tightened around her. "If you go back on it, I'll… I'll cry at the God Clan gates every day!"
Emma laughed at his childish threat, collapsing against him: "Alright, alright, I won't go back on it… Now sleep, we've got early class tomorrow."
Content, Fox Lian lay back down with her in his arms, tail still firmly wrapped around her waist, as if only that confirmed her presence.
Moonlight glowed outside, warmth filled the room.
As for whether the fox who cried from a nightmare would become the academy's gossip in the coming days… that remained unknown.