The Spoilt Beauty And Her Beasts
Chapter 249 - 250: She gets bored. I have no choice

Chapter 249: Chapter 250: She gets bored. I have no choice

"So this is the man you were talking about?" Isabella asked, arms crossed, one brow raised so high it nearly reached her hairline. She tilted her head slightly, sizing Valen up like he was some strange creature she’d never seen before—and might poke with a stick if given the chance.

Valen, standing awkwardly in the doorway with Opehlia practically glowing beside him like a proud sunflower, scratched the back of his head. His fingers got momentarily tangled in his messy hair, but he played it cool—sort of. "Uh... depends. Am I getting yelled at or welcomed with berries?"

"No berries," Isabella deadpanned, her expression flatter than a squashed mushroom.

Opehlia gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like she’d just witnessed a crime. "But you said you made extra sweet ones for—"

"Not for him," Isabella cut in sharply, eyes narrowing like a hawk spotting prey. "I thought you said he was strong and dependable. This one looks like he got lost on the way to impressing me and ended up tripping over his own ego."

Valen straightened, instantly puffing out his chest like a squirrel trying to scare off a bear. "I am strong!"

Unfortunately, the sudden breath caused him to swallow air the wrong way. He choked, wheezed, then broke into a small coughing fit that echoed far too loudly in the room. One hand slapped his chest. The other flailed for dramatic effect. Opehlia looked concerned. Isabella looked amused. A bird outside the window looked judgmental.

When the coughing finally died down, Valen gave a thumbs up that was both heroic and hopeless. "Mostly."

There was a pause. Then he added, voice rasping slightly, "Very strong... just... throat betrayal."

Opehlia giggled and stepped forward, grabbing Valen’s hand like he was her prized prize at the village festival. "He is strong! You should’ve seen him when he lifted that tree trunk—"

"It was a branch," Valen muttered.

"A very big branch," she corrected firmly. "And he chased off that wild bird-beast when it flew near me!"

"You mean the one that was clearly blind and confused?" Isabella smirked.

"It had sharp beak! Could’ve pecked me!" Opehlia insisted, then blinked. "Wait, does that not count?"

Isabella sighed dramatically and placed her hands on her hips. "Alright, fine. Let’s say I’m not completely unconvinced yet. Why should I accept him, Opehlia? What makes you think this is your great mate?"

Valen blinked. "Wait. I have to go through you?"

"You think we let just anyone steal our little marshmallow?" Isabella replied, motioning to Opehlia like she was presenting sacred treasure. "Opehlia’s heart is soft and pure. Her mind is... distracted, but good. So if you plan on being anything less than the best—"

"Isabella!" Opehlia squeaked, her cheeks going scarlet. "I’m not a marshmallow!"

"You are, and I’ll throw anyone into the river who forgets that," Isabella said, glaring at Valen as if she had already started planning where to push him.

Opehlia frowned a little, then looked at Isabella with those wide, innocent eyes that could melt glaciers. "Please, Bella... I know he’s a little clumsy, and sometimes he forgets where he left his own fur wraps... or direction... or lunch... but he’s kind. He listens when I talk about birds. He holds my hand even when I have dirt under my nails. And—and—he lets me braid his hair when he’s tired!"

Valen shrugged, trying not to smile. "She gets bored. I have no choice."

"I sing while doing it," Opehlia added with a proud smile.

"Off-key," Isabella mumbled, but her arms were slowly uncrossing.

"And—and he saved that little fox cub! The one with the wobbly leg! He could’ve walked past it, but he didn’t—he picked it up so gently, like it was made of feathers, and carried it all the way back to its mother." Opehlia practically bounced on her heels, her eyes sparkling now. "He didn’t even tell anyone he did it!"

"Okay," Isabella muttered, lips twitching. "That was... kind of sweet."

Valen gave a cautious thumbs-up. "That’s me. Valen. Friend to animals. Defender of fox cubs."

"Oh shut up," Isabella said quickly, but her voice had lost its earlier bite.

"I’m just saying," Opehlia pressed gently, now clinging to Isabella’s arm with both hands, "He’s not perfect. But neither am I. We just... fit. Like when you find a shiny rock in the dirt, and it doesn’t look like much at first but then you wash it and it’s special."

"Did you just compare him to a dirty rock?" Isabella asked flatly.

"...a very special dirty rock," Opehlia nodded seriously.

Valen gave her a wide grin. "Best compliment I’ve ever gotten."

Isabella let out a slow exhale, rubbing her temples. "Okay. Alright. Fine. He’s... not terrible."

Opehlia squealed and clapped. "That’s a yes!"

"No, it’s a ’he’s not terrible.’ That’s not the same thing," Isabella clarified, stepping closer to Valen until she was nearly nose-to-nose with him. "But listen carefully, twig boy."

Valen blinked. "Twig boy?"

"You break her heart, I break your kneecaps. You make her cry, I make you cry louder. You so much as forget her birthday, I will tie your legs together in your sleep and push you into the village pond."

Valen blinked again. "...Do I get any say in this pairing?"

"No," both girls replied in unison.

"...Amazing," he mumbled.

Opehlia giggled and wrapped her arms around his waist with a happy sigh, leaning her head against his chest. "See? He’s already learning."

Isabella watched them for a moment longer, then finally let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, alright. You can keep him. For now. But I’m watching you, Valen. Don’t get too comfortable."

Valen lifted his hands in mock surrender, grinning now. "Noted. Wouldn’t dare disappoint the guardian of the marshmallow."

"That’s right."

A moment passed. The mood lightened. Opehlia hummed under her breath, already imagining braiding Valen’s hair later. Isabella shook her head, but even she couldn’t suppress a small smirk.

Then Valen’s expression shifted. He turned, just slightly, looking down at Opehlia with a seriousness that cut through the playful haze.

"But I came here for something else," Valen said, turning to Opehlia.

"I came back to the village yesterday and I heard you were hurt."