Bond.

Sitting in a large tree several miles away from the event, a seemingly dour fox spirit could be seen talking to a floating scroll.

"I'm confused... Why have you decided to contact me again?"

Keran pressed her knees into her chest as she dropped her head down.

"I just... wanted to hear your voice, mother."

Through the scroll floating in front of her face, Keran stared at her mother Ayame as she lounged on her stone throne.

Despite her attempts to hide it, Ayame was clearly interested in exactly what was going on with her daughter.

Had the two of them always had the best relationship? No. But she had always known her daughter.

It was easy for her to figure out that something was wrong here just by looking at her ears and eyes.

"Out with it, my pup. Has that husband of yours done something I should castrate him for?"