Chapter 311: A rattle.
There was more to be said, but Mika came into the office with a cup of fresh coffee loaded with honey and almond powder. Mija’s sad mood retreated, replaced with her usual air of a smug heiress who was better than everyone around her.
Guards entered the office, preparations were made, and Sienna got to work. Her first duty today was to oversee the divorce mediation procedure between the Marrowfangs, a couple that was not noble, but came from old money on both sides.
The air shifted as soon as they walked in. Wealth always carried its own scent: polished leather, rare perfumes, and the faint touch of drama.
Mr. Roy Marrowfang a fox beast man strode in first, tall and sharp-eyed, his furry ears brushed to a gleaming sheen. His wife, Albana Marrowfang followed, a cat beast woman draped in a sable fur cloak followed with deliberate grace, her long tail flicking like a whip. Behind then trailed two children, wide-eyed, clutching each other and eight lawyers with expensive cases, expensive suits and expensive rates by the hour.
Mija whispered to Sienna, "They are the Marrowfangs. Old money. Their estates stretch across six cities."
Sienna straightened in her chair. "Do they want a divorce or mediation?"
Mija snorted softly. "Divorce. Mediation is just a polite way of putting it. A lot of egos are involved here, that is why it’s complicated. They can’t afford to make a public spectacle of themselves so they are doing it before you."
Sienna started slowly as she faced the couple, sitting before her. She introduced herself politely, with a smile and asked Mr. Marrowfang to start.
Roy slammed a hand on the table. "I demand a divorce. I don’t just want one, I demand it. Albana has poisoned this marriage with her vanity and deceit."
Albana laughed. It was one of those low and dangerous laughs that made everyone who heard it uneasy. "Deceit? You dare speak of deceit when you squandered a quarter of our fortune on racing horse and mistresses who couldn’t spell your name?"
The lawyers exchanged nervous glances. The children shrank back.
Sienna raised her hand. "Enough. State your grievances clearly."
Roy jabbed a finger toward the briefcase one of the lawyers carried. "Inside is the item that proves her betrayal. A rattle. Worth two beast coins. She refuses to relinquish it. She says its hers alone."
Sienna blinked. "A rattle? A cheap children’s toy? This is a two hundred million divorce case and you are quarreling over a cheap two beast coin rattle?"
Albana’s eyes gleamed. "It is not about the rattle. It is about the principle. He gave it to me when we were young. It is more valuable than the estates and jewels. It is the only gift of his that was sincere. And now he wants to strip it from me, as he has stripped off his clothes in front of those whores."
Gasps filled the room.
Roy snarled. "Sentimentality! The rattle is Marrowfang property, not her Sparrow family property. It must be returned. Her refusal to hand it over is a sign of the stubbornness she brought into our marriage. Her refusal to yield always. Her determination to have the last word always. If she keeps it, she wins."
The younger child, a boy with drooping grey fox ears chimed in, "Mama, papa...please stop."
The older girl, with feline grace, lifted her chin. "If you fight over rattles, what will you fight over next? Separating us?"
Sienna leaned forward, sensing the venom beneath the couple’s words. "First of all, keep your language clean, both of you. Keep in mind that your children are here with us and they are only ten and twelve. Secondly, it seems to me that the rattle is not the issue. It is the battlefield."
Silence fell heavy. The lawyers shuffled papers, pretending not to hear. Sienna’s heart tightened. She had seen things like this before--wealthy families tearing themselves apart over symbols, while the children bore the scars.
One lawyer, a hawk beast man, cleared his throat. "Lady Sienna, the rattle is merely the spark. The estates, the vineyards, the racing stables--everything that is considered marital property must be divided. My client insists that his wife has squandered resources, gifting jewels worth millions to servants on a whim, hosting endless banquets night after night. She does not deserve half of the assets. Maybe a 70-30 split is fairer."
Another lawyer, a wolf beast man, countered sharply. "Mrs. Albana, my client, insists the husband has hidden funds. Those missing horses, he has been selling them in secret and funneling wealth into shadow accounts. His clinging to the rattle is proof of his pettiness."
Mija hissed softly, "We are going to be here all day."
Sienna had the same feeling. No wonder, according to records, this couple had been to see Cadelaria twelve times in one year and failed to come to a resolution! Each wanted the other party to bow before giving in and divorcing. But they were both proud, so none was willing to give in.
Roy looked at Albana, saying bitterly. "Your family may have some money, but it is nothing in comparison to mine. And let’s be honest, you were nothing before I married you. The Sparrow’s value boys over girls. If not for me, they would not have given you special treatment. You are a stray cat in borrowed gowns. I gave you status, a name, a castle. And you repay me by scratching me with your claws."
Albana’s tail lashed. "And you were nothing but a spoiled cub in the shadow of his more impressive brothers. You were desperate for my beauty to polish your reputation. I gave you beautiful heirs, I gave you dignity. And you repay me with betrayal."
Sienna raised her voice. "Enough! This office is not a stage for insults. If you wish to fight, fight with facts."
But the words had already ignited them.
Roy slammed his fist again, rattling the table. "I want that rattle returned. It is mine. It is the symbol of her arrogance, which she only developed because of me and I will destroy it before I let her keep it."
Albana rose, her claws unsheathing. "Destroy it? Then destroy me as well, for I will not yield. I will give it as a gift to my next husband while we are spending your money."
"You fucking bitch!" Roy bellowed.
Sienna’s mouth opened slightly in surprise.
The lawyers tried to intervene. The boy clung to his sister and whispered, "They will tear each other apart."
Sienna rose, "You will not fight in front of your children. Sit down, both of you."
But Roy’s pride was too wounded. Alabana’s fury was too sharp.
In a blur of emotion, Albana lunged at her husband. Roy met her head-on, their tails and claws slicing through the air.