Lead-gray storm clouds blotted out the sunlight, slowly rolling in from the north and gradually shrouding Asgard in dim gloom. Faint thunder rumbled like the low roar of some massive beast, echoing indistinctly.
On an empty street, two maidservants carrying flower baskets looked up at the oppressive clouds overhead, their expressions somewhat grave.
"Storm clouds from the north... It looks like Lord Thor will be back soon," one of the maidservants murmured.
"Lord Thor doesn't seem to be in a very good mood. Could it be that he failed to catch that assassin?"
"Looks that way. He spent two days making the round trip. If he still didn't catch the assassin, Lord Thor's mood must be awful. You don't see this very often..."
The other maidservant let out a long sigh.
"Let's hurry back. Lady Sif sent us to pick these flowers because she must have wanted to give Lord Thor a surprise. If he comes back and sees Lady Sif waiting for him amid so many blooming Scale-Treading Chrysanthemums, maybe he'll feel better." One maidservant inhaled the rich fragrance from the flowers in her arms, longing gleaming in her eyes.
"The flower language of the Scale-Treading Chrysanthemum is eternal love, isn't it? I wonder whether Lord Thor will understand Lady Sif's painstaking intentions."
"Let's not worry about matters between the gods. If we dawdle any longer, we really won't make it back in time!"
The two maidservants hurried down the cloud-covered street.
Just then, a golden arc of light streaked across the sky. As though it had spotted something, it circled halfway through the air before flying straight toward them.
Bragi, dressed in an elegant dark-gold formal suit, stepped out of the light. His gaze settled on the pale yellow flowers blooming in the maidservants' hands, and delight appeared