The council chamber was already loud before Mason entered.

Voices overlapped. Nobles argued openly.

Priests whispered prayers under their breath as if heaven might still be listening after the celestial eye vanished from the sky.

The moment the doors opened, silence spread through the hall.

Every head turned toward him.

Mason resisted the urge to turn around and check if someone more qualified had walked in behind him.

Athlian, however, felt completely at home.

’They fear uncertainty,’ she murmured inside his thoughts.

"Yeah," Mason replied internally. "I also fear uncertainty. Especially cosmic eyeballs."

Draca walked beside him, calm as always, while Saleem hurried ahead carrying scrolls like a man preparing to survive political warfare.

Mason took the throne.

He still wasn’t used to how naturally

Athlian’s body moved into authority. One shift of posture, one relaxed breath, and suddenly everyone looked smaller.

A grey-haired noble rose immediately.

"My Goddess," Lord Veridian said sharply.

"What we witnessed was an act of divine aggression. The heavens themselves questioned your legitimacy."

Mason folded his hands together.

"Technically," he said, "they questioned my paperwork."

Several council members blinked.

Saleem coughed to hide a laugh.

Athlian’s amusement warmed his mind.

Veridan did not smile. "This is no time for humor."

"It is exactly the time for humor," Mason replied calmly. "Because panic makes people stupid."

A few nobles shifted uncomfortably.

Draca leaned against a nearby pillar, watching quietly. His presence alone discouraged interruptions.

Another councilwoman spoke carefully.

"The priests believe the celestial judge appeared because the Goddess has... changed."

Athlian went quiet.

Mason felt her attention sharpen.

He nodded slowly. "Yes. I have changed. You heard that part already this morning."

"The gods do not change," a priest insisted.

Mason tilted his head. "Then maybe that’s their problem."

The room froze again.

He continued before anyone could object.

"Listen carefully. Whatever that thing was, it didn’t attack. It observed. That means we are being watched, not punished."

Saleem stepped forward. "Strategically speaking, observation suggests evaluation rather than condemnation."

Several nobles reluctantly nodded.

Politics calmed people more than theology ever could.

Mason leaned back slightly, pretending confidence he absolutely did not feel.

"We prepare," he said. "Increase city defenses. Strengthen communication with border regions. And I want reports on every temple that suddenly became extra nervous today."

The council began murmuring again, this time focused on action rather than fear.

Good.

Crisis redirected.

But then a strange warmth slid through his chest.

Slow,Familiar and Dangerous.

Athlian stirred.

Not fear or anger.Something else entirely.

Mason frowned internally. "Why do I suddenly feel like I walked into a romance movie soundtrack?"

She didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, emotion flooded him; anticipation, playful excitement, hunger wrapped in nostalgia.And recognition.

The palace doors burst open.

A young guard stumbled inside, breathless.

"My Goddess...someone demands an audience immediately!"

Veridian snapped, "The court is in session!"

The guard swallowed. "He says... he says the Goddess invited him personally."

Mason blinked.

"I did?"

Athlian went very, very quiet.

That was never good.

Footsteps echoed from the corridor before permission could be granted.

Confident,unapologetic.And entirely too familiar to Athlian’s memories.

A man entered the chamber wearing travel leathers instead of noble attire. Sun-dark skin, careless confidence, and a smile that suggested rules existed purely for decoration.

He stopped in the center of the hall and looked directly at Mason.

His expression softened instantly.

"There you are," he said warmly. "You disappeared without saying goodbye again."

Mason’s brain stalled.

Athlian’s emotions surged like fireworks.

Recognition,attraction and Mischief.

"Oh no," Mason whispered internally. "Why do I suddenly know this guy’s jawline extremely well?"

The man dropped casually to one knee not reverent, more playful than respectful.

"Your Radiance," he said, voice smooth. "I returned the moment I heard you awakened."

Council members stared in shock.

Draca straightened subtly near the wall.

Mason cleared his throat. "And you are...?"

The man looked wounded.

"You truly forgot?" he asked softly.

Athlian’s voice finally returned, filled with reluctant fondness.

’That... is Saki.’

Mason waited.

She hesitated.

’One of my... companions.’

"...Define a companion."

She avoided answering.

Mason sighed internally. "You had lovers. Many lovers. Didn’t you."

Silence confirmed everything.

Saki rose slowly, eyes never leaving

Mason’s face.

"You look different," he said gently. "But you feel the same."

Mason forced a diplomatic smile.

"Well, people grow."

Saki’s gaze turned openly admiring.

"And yet you called me back."

Mason nearly choked.

"I absolutely did not..."

Athlian’s memory flashed to Moonlit gardens,Secret laughter and Hidden meetings behind palace walls.

’Oh no.’

"Oh no," Mason repeated aloud this time.

The council exchanged confused looks.

Saki stepped closer.

Draca moved instantly between them.

Not aggressive.Just firm.

Saki raised an eyebrow. "And who is this?"

Draca answered calmly. "Commander Draca."

Recognition flickered across Saki’s face.

"The human," he said thoughtfully.

The temperature in the room shifted.

Mason felt it immediately.

Jealousy, not his but Athlian’s.

And strangely... Saki’s too.

Mason rubbed his temples. "Okay. Time out. Why does this feel like I accidentally walked into a relationship drama?"

Athlian laughed softly inside him.’Because you did.’

Saki crossed his arms. "You vanished without warning. The others believed you abandoned us."

"The others?" Mason repeated weakly.

Athlian pretended innocence.’You asked for comedy.’

He wanted to scream.

Draca glanced back at Mason. "Do you want him removed?"

Saki smirked. "I doubt she does."

Mason stood quickly.

"Yes. Private discussion. Immediately."

He gestured toward the side chamber.

Saki followed without hesitation.

Draca followed too...of course he did.

The doors closed behind them.

Mason turned slowly toward Athlian’s former lover.

"Okay," he said carefully. "We need to clarify several things."

Saki smiled knowingly. "You missed me."

Mason pointed at himself. "New management."

Saki blinked.

Draca almost smiled.

Athlian laughed uncontrollably inside Mason’s mind.

He exhaled long and slow.

"So," he said, already exhausted, "how many of you are there?"

Saki grin widened.

"...You really don’t remember."

Athlian whispered with dangerous amusement.

’Five currently. Possibly six if Salamm hears I awakened.’

Mason closed his eyes.

He can’t believe he’s dealing with this again!

"Fantastic," he muttered. "I inherited a kingdom... divine enemies... and a romantic comedy disaster."

Draca folded his arms quietly beside him.

Saki tilted his head, studying Mason with growing curiosity.

"You truly have changed," he murmured.

Outside the chamber, palace bells suddenly rang again.

Not alarm but arrival bells.

Multiple arrivals.

Saleem’s voice echoed faintly through the corridor.

"My Goddess... more visitors have arrived."

Athlian’s excitement surged.

Mason felt immediate dread.

"...Please tell me that’s not more lovers."

She didn’t answer.

Which was answer enough.

Mason stared at the door.And realized this was only the beginning.

Because the Goddess’s past had officially come knocking again

And they were all coming home.