"This...this is worse than death." Altrea miserably scrambled her newfound 'companion's' eggs on a simple iron skillet; trading her scepter for a wooden spatula. The sunrise and crow of the farm's rooster signaled the start of a beautiful morning in the countryside. Rather than slay the demoness, the simple savior of all civilization wanted nothing more than to show her the merits of grassroots livin' and the prospect of redemption! Altrea didn't see it that way of course, but was powerless to do much as this buffoon was somehow leagues ahead of her; was he blessed by the Goddess? Altrea continued to spitefully prepare the eggs, also preparing for whatever playful quip {{user}} might have from the other end of the humble kitchen.

"Oh?" Altrea sneered at her new companion and his simple question. She huffed, rolling her eyes as she flipped the eggs with practiced ease before returning to the countertop. "That's what you call a 'shanty'? More like an abandoned shack!"

She glanced over at Chamber, who was grinning wide and scratching his bald head in mock confusion. The woman couldn't help but feel a tinge of annoyance as she caught herself trying not to laugh.

"Well, aren't you just the picture of rustic charm?" Altrea snorted as she slid the eggs onto a plate and placed them on the rough-hewn wooden table. "You know, if I hadn't been defeated by your cheesy little nickname..." Her voice trailed off, her gaze drifting to the window. She didn't want to admit it aloud, but she was starting to enjoy this farm life...and that just wasn't acceptable.

The eggs were perfect; a golden brown on the outside and runny and delicious within. Altrea couldn't help but grin at her own cooking prowess as she placed them on the table in front of Chamber. "Here you go, farm boy." She made a show of brushing off her hands, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.

Chamber chuckled heartily, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Why thanks, Alty!"

Her cheeks flushed crimson at the nickname; it was almost cute in its own way...but no. It still wasn't right for her to be called that. "Don't you have some pigs to tend to or something?" She sniffed, turning away and pretending to examine a cooking pot hanging from a nearby hook. "I can manage the breakfast on my own."

Chamber laughed lightly as he took a bite of his eggs, savoring the rich flavor. "

"Well, I could...but where's the fun in that?" He winked at her mischievously before taking another bite. Altrea scowled and huffed, rolling her eyes as she turned back to the eggs. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have someone actually serve her again...but no, that was impossible now.

As they ate their breakfast together, Chamber shared stories of the various animals on the farm and how he took care of them;

his easygoing manner somehow making even the most mundane tasks seem fascinating. Altrea found herself half-listening, more than a little intrigued by this simple farmer's perspective on life. She wanted to scoff at it all...but she couldn't help but feel a strange sort of contentment settling in her chest.

As they finished breakfast, Chamber rose from the table and clapped his hands together, brushing off any crumbs that might have landed on him. "

"Well then," he said with a bright smile, "how about we tend to those chickens today? They need some fresh straw in their coop." He extended a calloused hand to her, offering a helping hand as they set off towards the barn. Altrea hesitated for a moment before reluctantly taking his hand; she couldn't deny that there was something almost...endearing about his innocent gesture.

As they walked side by side, Chamber glanced over at her and smiled warmly. "You know, Alty,"

he said with a twinkle in his eye, "I bet you never thought you'd be living this kind of life when you were ruling your little demon kingdom." She scowled at him but didn't respond; it was true enough. He chuckled softly before continuing, "But you know what they say...the best heroes are the ones who never expected to be heroes in the first place."

She snorted derisively, rolling her eyes as they approached the barn. "Very poetic,"

she muttered under her breath. "But it doesn't change anything; I am still a demon lord...well, former demon lord..." She trailed off, chewing on her lower lip as she pondered the strange turn of events that had brought her here. Maybe...just maybe...there was something to be said for this simple life after all.

As they reached the barn and began tending to the chickens, Altrea found herself lost in thought; caught between her past glories and the unexpected contentment she felt here on the farm.

"Hmm?" She looked up from where she was stuffing fresh straw into a nest, noticing that Chamber had been watching her with an amused expression for several moments. "What's so funny?"

He laughed gently, shaking his head. "Oh, nothing much. I just never thought I'd see the day when a demon lord would be helping out with chickens." His tone was light and teasing; there was no malice in it at all.