After the crisis of trust was resolved, Fox Lian's "territorial campaign" grew bolder.
The tail-fur heart knot became Emma's signature accessory, always tied into her hair, swaying gently as she moved—a silent declaration of ownership. Fox Lian was deeply satisfied. Each time he saw the silver knot glimmering against her dark hair, his violet eyes rippled with joy.
But that wasn't enough.
He grew obsessed with leaving his mark on all of Emma's belongings. Not just small fox-fur decorations, but more direct signs—
"What's this?" Emma picked up her rune bookmark, finding a tassel woven with silver fox fur tied to its end. "Anti-loss," Fox Lian replied casually, flipping through a book, tail swaying lazily.
Emma lifted her alchemy notes, discovering a tiny paw print stamped on the corner with special scented ink. "Anti-counterfeit," Fox Lian muttered, ears twitching to catch her reaction.
Most outrageous of all—one morning Emma awoke to find her windowsill, desk, and even doorframe scattered with silver hairs, as if a certain fox had rolled around her room all night.
"Fox Lian!" Emma stormed into the courtyard, holding a long tail hair, half angry, half amused.
Fox Lian opened one violet eye, utterly unashamed. "Territory marking." He yawned, tail tip beckoning her closer. "So the clueless ones can smell you belong to me."
Emma: "…" She probably reeked of fox by now!
Though exasperated, Emma felt oddly reassured. His childish possessiveness proved his devotion. She even began to grow used to it… and perhaps enjoyed being so firmly claimed.
Of course, sometimes the smug fox needed a reminder.
One day, a tiger-clan youth—new and ignorant—saw Emma alone in the spirit garden and approached. "Lady Emma, need help?" he asked brightly, tiger fangs flashing.
Before she could answer, a cold voice cut in: "She doesn't."
Fox Lian appeared behind her, arm wrapping naturally around her waist, pulling her close. His violet eyes glared at the tiger youth, aura heavy with threat, silver tail bristling in warning.
The tiger froze, especially upon seeing the heart knot in Emma's hair and their intimate stance. He quickly muttered, "Sorry, sorry," and fled.
Fox Lian snorted, looking down at Emma, voice edged with displeasure: "Don't come alone to places like this again."
Emma teased, "Why? Afraid I'll be carried off?"
"Yes." He nodded seriously, tail tightening around her. "You smell of me. If others notice, it'll be trouble."
Emma laughed, stroking his trembling ear tip. "Alright, jealous jar."
Fox Lian seemed pleased by the nickname, chin lifting proudly, tail wagging in delight.
Not far away, Gu Liang, showing Cangming a new dragon technique, rolled her eyes dramatically. "Unbearable! That fox treats Emma like a cub."
Cangming (thoughtful): "Perhaps… I could too…"
Gu Liang (suspicious): "What are you planning?"
Cangming (serious): "Carve your name into my scales?"
Gu Liang (furious): "You dare!!"