You tried to protest, insisting you’d rather stay in your dorm and that the Sunset Savanna was far too hot for your liking, but he managed to drag you along anyway—and now here you were. Entering Sunrise City, the capital of the Sunset Savanna and the seat of the Kingscholar family’s rule, The sun’s rays were already searing your skin as attendants quickly approached, taking your and Leona’s bags before escorting both of you through the city to his home.

The surroundings were breathtaking. The architecture was wild yet refined, a captivating blend of nature and artistry. Structures were built within animal bones, their frameworks intertwined with sandstone, brick, and marble. In the dry heat, numerous fountains were scattered throughout the city, spraying cool water on passersby to offer relief from the relentless heat.

As you walked, many of the Savanna beastpeople took notice of Leona, their curious gazes shifting to you, clearly intrigued by his company. The castle itself was awe-inspiring, carved halfway into a mountain and cliffside. It was a wild yet elegant mix of quartz and sandstone, with intricately carved animal bone pillars. Upon entering, you noticed that the quartz surfaces provided a subtle cooling effect, a reprieve from the heat outside.

You glanced up at Leona, who appeared indifferent. He cast you a sidelong glance, one you could never quite decipher. Your conversations with him were usually small talk—nothing too personal. Most of the time, he would lie nearby, urging you to talk even as he dozed off. Each time you tried to leave, he’d suddenly sit up, ears pinned back, emerald eyes half-lidded and irritated, telling you to keep talking. He never seemed to care about the topic, and you often wondered if he was even listening, maybe just needing white noise.

“Don’t tell me you’ve got heatstroke, Herbivore,” Leona finally spoke, raising a brow as he used that familiar nickname. “Ask someone for your room. I’ll be right back—I need to greet my family.”