Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 154: I Want A Wedding.

Chapter 154: I Want A Wedding.

"Alright," Kato said at last, crossing his arms over his chest. "What favor?"

Scarlett’s eyes locked onto his, and she could see the curiosity burning behind them, flickering like a flame waiting to be stoked.

"What favor?" Kato repeated, his voice steady but laced with intrigue. "Ask, and who knows I might just fulfill it."

Scarlett met his gaze unwaveringly, her expression unreadable. Then, she spoke, her words deliberate, measured.

"I want a wedding."

A heavy silence fell over the room, so thick it was almost suffocating. Kato’s body stiffened, his arms dropping to his sides. Across the room, Georgia and Scorpion exchanged wide-eyed glances, while the guards remained frozen, their disbelief mirroring Kato’s own.

"W...what?" Kato stammered, his breath hitching as if he had just been doused with ice-cold water. His eyes widened, staring at her as if she had just spoken an entirely foreign language. "What do you mean?" he finally managed, his voice a mix of shock and confusion.

Scarlett remained composed, her lips curving ever so slightly. "I’m serious," she said, her tone unwavering. "You want to take me as your queen, don’t you? If that’s the case, don’t you think I deserve a proper marriage? A wedding where everyone knows about, humans, monsters, leaders of every organizations? You already insisted we act like a couple before we got here but now I want to make it a reality. I want to be your wife not just in pretense, but in truth."

Kato took a step back, his fingers running through his hair before he let out a quiet scoff. He covered his mouth with his hand, as if trying to stop himself from saying something reckless. He needed a moment to process what he had just heard.

"A wedding?" he echoed, his voice edged with disbelief. "And you want it to be big? With all the organization leaders attending?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he stepped closer again, studying her intently. "Scarlett, just what exactly are you thinking?"

Scarlett tilted her head slightly, a knowing glint in her eyes. "A grand marriage," she reiterated, crossing her arms. "Think about it, Kato. Don’t you see the advantage? If the leaders of the organization witness our wedding, they’ll believe that you are no longer interested in gaining powers, that you’ve chosen your queen, a human you love with no ulterior motives. It will make them lower their guard. They’ll have no idea that beneath this disguise, I am the Queen of Monsters.

"And if you truly want to claim me," she continued, her voice dropping slightly, "if you want to harness my power, to rule over the world of monsters and eradicate the humans, then don’t you think you should first let those very humans know who their future queen is before they meet their demise? I don’t know but I actually support your decisions now. I also want to rule beside you as a queen over every monster."

She arched a single brow, challenging him.

Kato stared at her, his jaw tightening. The room was so silent that the faintest shift in breath could be heard.

And then, he exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.

"Scarlett," he murmured, more to himself than to her. He had always known she was unpredictable, but this...this was beyond anything he had anticipated.

Kato let out a low chuckle, his arms crossing over his chest as he studied Scarlett with an amused glint in his eyes.

"You know what?" he mused, tilting his head slightly. "I’m actually curious about what mating with you and taking your powers would feel like." He let his words linger, watching her reaction. "There’s no doubt we’d make a powerful couple. And again, I can’t help but wonder... what happens next?"

His gaze darkened with intrigue as he continued. "The whole theory about chosen members mating with non-chosen members to become chosen themselves...it’s insane. There’s no denying it. But still... I feel like there’s something we’re missing. A secret that won’t reveal itself until a male chosen member has sex with the Queen of Monsters."

An outburst of laughter escaped him, filling the tense silence that had settled over the room.

Scarlett remained calm, her expression betraying nothing. "If you throw me a wedding," she said smoothly, "and let Garvin and Jaden go, then I will willingly give my powers to you. No funny business."

She watched Kato closely, searching his face for any sign of resistance. His initial reaction had told her he was considering it, but she needed to hear him say it.

"I’ll stay in disguise as Maya," she continued, "because we both know that revealing my true identity would put my life in danger." Her lips curled into a slight smile. "So, what do you say, Kato? Will you fulfill this wish of mine?"

Kato’s smirk faded, replaced by a hardened expression. He took a slow step forward, his gaze locked onto hers.

"You want to change your goal because of Garvin and Jaden. Makes sense considering the fact that I can kill them in one goal. I hope you know you aren’t as smart as you think you are," he said, his voice low and laced with warning. "Even though you’re the Queen of Monsters in this apocalypse, you’re still human. So whatever you’re planning in that head of yours... I hope you’ve thought it through. Because if you’re not careful, you might end up hurting yourself more than anyone else."

His hand lifted, fingers brushing against her cheek in a fleeting touch. For a moment, his sharp expression softened, but just as quickly, the mask returned.

Then, he pulled away and turned toward Georgia and Scorpion.

"You heard her, didn’t you?" he said, his tone shifting back to amusement. "You both have a big wedding to plan. Every organization leader is to be present."

Laughter burst from him again, the sound echoing through the room. Georgia and Scorpion exchanged stunned glances. Neither of them had expected this. In fact, they had both been certain Kato would inject Scarlett with the serum, force her to surrender her powers using Garvin and Jaden as leverage just as they had originally planned.

But now? Now, he was agreeing to Scarlett’s terms, and it made no sense.

Georgia swallowed hard, her head bowed slightly. "Are you sure about this, boss?" she asked cautiously. "I mean... everything is ready. Just as we planned."

Kato’s expression darkened. "Were you not listening when my queen made a request?" His voice carried a sharp edge, making Georgia tense. "If she wants a wedding, then give it to her. It’s only for a day, anyway."

A slow, sinister smile spread across his lips as he stepped closer to Georgia, reaching out to gently stroke Little Hope’s soft hair.

"And my queen is smart enough to know," he continued, his tone quiet but lethal, "that playing games with me would only result in Garvin’s death... or perhaps Jaden’s." He paused, letting his words sink in before adding, "Or maybe... the little baby dies first. Poor thing."

Scarlett’s expression remained unreadable, but inside, her stomach twisted. "I know all of this, Kato," she said, her voice steady. "It’s over anyway. My choices are limited. Either I become one of the other leaders’ queens, or I become yours. And I choose you."

A knowing smirk tugged at Kato’s lips. "Good girl."

His gaze flicked to Georgia and Scorpion once more. "Take my bride to her room and start preparing her. The wedding starts tonight."

With that final command, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room without waiting for a response.

The moment the door shut behind him, Georgia and Scorpion stood in stunned silence.

"Did... did that just happen?" Georgia muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Damn... I can’t believe this!"

Scorpion exhaled, shaking his head. "Seems he’s changed his plans. We just have to trust him."

Georgia’s brows furrowed. "But why? This doesn’t make any sense."

Scorpion shrugged. "I don’t know. But we have work to do. The boss wants the wedding to start tonight."

Georgia sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly in resignation. She turned toward Scarlett, who was watching them with an unreadable expression.

"Come on," Georgia said, forcing her voice to sound indifferent. "We need to get you ready for the wedding since that’s what you want. I guess a little pain is worth it after all."

Scarlett’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Let’s get started then."

As Georgia and Scorpion led her out of the room, Scarlett’s mind raced. She had successfully manipulated Kato into agreeing to her terms, but she knew this was only the beginning.

She had to stay ahead of Kato and his entire organization. If she wanted to survive, she needed to find a way to rescue Garvin and Jaden before it was too late.

And this wedding? It was the perfect tool to make it happen.

A short while later, they arrived at a dimly lit room.

"Alright," Georgia said as she stepped inside. "Wait here while we get everything ready for you." She let out a smirk eyeing Scarlett with suspicion. "Mind you, the boss mentioned you have an invisibility spell. But don’t get any ideas." Her expression turned cold. "Every action you take in this room is being watched. If you go invisible, we’ll know."

Scarlett said nothing, merely tilting her head slightly in acknowledgment.

"And I’d advise you not to waste your time searching for Garvin," Georgia added. "He’s not here."

Scarlett inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly. "Fine," she said, nodding.

She then turned to Georgia, her gaze shifting toward the sleeping infant in her arms. "Let me have the baby back," she requested, stretching out her hands.

But Georgia took a step back.

"It’s your wedding," she said with a smirk. "We’ll handle the stress of watching over the baby for you."

Without another word, she handed Little Hope over to Scorpion.

"In the meantime," Georgia added, "everything you’ll need will be brought to you."

Scarlett swallowed hard, her gaze lingering on the child before she finally turned back to Georgia. "No problem, then," she said evenly. "I’ll be waiting here."

Georgia smirked. "Good."

Scorpion nodded as well, and with that, the two exited the room, leaving Scarlett alone with her thoughts.