The Spoilt Beauty And Her Beasts
Chapter 248 - 249: I didn’t mean to forget about the... uh... tree

Chapter 248: Chapter 249: I didn’t mean to forget about the... uh... tree

There was a quiet rustle behind the curtain.

It shifted just slightly, like someone unsure if they were allowed to enter. Then, slowly, a head peeked through—hesitant but drawn by the sound of a familiar voice. It was Opehlia. Her brows were slightly drawn together in curiosity, lips parted as if she’d been holding her breath.

She didn’t say anything right away, just looked—searching.

The moment Opehlia peeked her head inside, Isabella could already see the light shift in her eyes. It was like watching a soft breeze pass through a sunny morning—gentle, glowing, pure.

"Valen!" Opehlia gasped, her voice as bright as the sunrise over fresh dew, and before Isabella could even roll her eyes, the girl pushed aside the curtain in full and skipped inside.

She held a carved wooden bowl in one hand, filled with soup, the scent still rising in slow, spiraling steam. She barely registered the rest of the room before placing it carefully on a stone slab next to the log chair.

And Valen—poor awkward Valen—turned around at the sound of her voice and let out a breath so relieved, Isabella thought he might pass out.

He didn’t say anything. Didn’t even take a step at first. He just stood there, staring at her like he couldn’t believe she was real, like maybe she was a dream conjured from his hopes and nervous sweat. Then he blinked, remembered how legs worked, and stepped forward.

Opehlia didn’t wait. She wrapped her arms around his middle, burying her face into his chest.

And then?

He froze.

For exactly half a second.

And then his arms moved. Gentle. Careful. One arm went around her shoulders, the other cupped the back of her head like she was made of glass and the world was earthquakes.

He didn’t say her name again. He didn’t need to.

Instead, he leaned his cheek against her hair and whispered, "I’ve been looking for you."

Opehlia didn’t answer. She just gripped tighter.

Isabella, still seated on her log, crossed her legs and rested her elbow on her knee, chin in palm. Glimora had climbed into her lap and curled up like a tired snowball, watching the pair like they were performing a very dramatic play.

Isabella squinted.

She examined the hand placement.

One hand on the back of her head. Gentle. Protective. Okay, points for that.

Other arm wrapped firmly around her shoulders. Safe. Not clingy. Just enough pressure to show he was happy she was here.

Hmm.

She narrowed her eyes further.

Valen leaned back a little to look at Opehlia’s face. He brushed a few loose strands of hair out of her eyes with a surprisingly soft touch for someone who carved trees into boats for a living.

"You cut your hair," he said quietly, smiling.

"You noticed?" Opehlia’s cheeks flushed.

"Of course I did."

Opehlia looked down shyly and started nervously playing with the edge of his tunic. "Do you like it?"

"I like everything about you," he said.

Isabella’s jaw dropped an inch.

Glimora blinked at her.

The audacity.

The smoothness.

She leaned toward Glimora and whispered, "Who taught this man lines?"

Glimora licked her leg and shrugged like, I dunno, but it’s working.

Valen didn’t seem like he was playing a game, though. That was the worst—or best—part. He looked hopelessly sincere, like he truly didn’t know how swoon-worthy that sounded.

Opehlia, of course, was practically melting in his arms.

And Isabella? Isabella sat still as a statue, just blinking in slow disbelief as the emotional symphony unfolded right in front of her.

Valen ran a hand down Opehlia’s arm in a motion so subtle and natural, it made Isabella raise a brow.

This man had skills. Maybe not with words. Maybe not with conversation. But with presence? With his energy? He had that gentle, awkward-boy-who-would-definitely-make-you-a-necklace-from-bones vibe.

And suddenly, Isabella wasn’t so sure this man was a red flag anymore.

Maybe a faint green. Pale olive.

She watched as Valen carefully tilted Opehlia’s chin up with two fingers. Not in the cheesy, fake-romance way. No. It was like he just wanted to see her.

"You’ve been eating well?" he asked.

Opehlia smiled bashfully. "Yes. Isabella makes sure of it."

Valen glanced over his shoulder. "She does?"

His gaze finally fell on Isabella, like he was only just now remembering there was another person in the room.

Isabella smiled sweetly. "Oh, don’t mind me. Continue your tender little romance. I’m just a background tree."

Valen flushed immediately, clearly realizing just how long they’d been in their own little world.

But Opehlia giggled and nudged him. "You’re blushing."

Valen laughed softly and covered his face for a second. "I didn’t mean to forget about the... uh... tree."

"Watch it," Isabella said with a grin. "I will uproot myself and hit you with my branches."

Glimora gave a tiny growl of support. Yeah, she would.

"Sorry," Valen mumbled, eyes still wide.

"I’m not mad," Isabella said, leaning back with a dramatic sigh, the kind queens gave after watching court jesters perform. "Honestly, that was some of the best entertainment I’ve had all day. Five stars. Would watch again."

She reached down and gently flicked Glimora’s tail with a grin. "Wasn’t it, baby?"

Glimora blinked once... then gave the tiniest sneeze, followed by a dainty little hiccup.

Isabella gasped. "See? Even my baby’s overwhelmed by the romance."

Glimora gave a soft grunt and snuggled deeper into her lap like she was saying, Too much sugar, not enough meat.

Isabella chuckled and gave her a kiss on the top of her fuzzy head. "Yeah, yeah. I’ll feed you later, tiny love critic."

Valen turned back to Opehlia. "I was worried."

"I’m okay," she said gently, pressing her hand against his chest again.

And there it was again. That silence. That soft, wordless understanding between them. The kind that made Isabella almost uncomfortable. She wasn’t used to that kind of intimacy being so quiet.

So she cleared her throat.

Loudly.

Both of them jumped a little, blinking as if surfacing from underwater.

Valen coughed and stepped back slightly, scratching the back of his neck like a boy caught stealing berries. Opehlia’s cheeks burned red.

Glimora blinked up and tilted her head at Isabella like: Finally.