Chapter 316: For the greater good.
Sienna braced herself, expecting an introduction, followed by at least a token apology for being dragged to the spa without her will. Instead, the Queen mother’s gaze swept over her, lingering on her body. Her lips curled into a smile that was both amused and cutting.
"Well," she said, " her voice rich and commanding, "its a good thing you’ve lost so much fat. When Lina first told me that you had volunteered to step in for Amani, I imagined a piglet waddling in silk. At least now you look more like a healthy cow dressed for the market."
The words struck like a whip. The bridesmaids gasped, some hiding their laughter behind jeweled hands. Lina giggled, delighted at her mother’s wit.
Sienna’s jaw tightened, her hands curling into fists, despite the wolf attendant’s grip, Her heart pounded, fury rising like fire in her chest.
The Queen mother leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Yes...slimmer now. But don’t get too proud. You are still human and I agree with Cadelaria that the position of fox tribe matriarch should go to an actual fox beast woman."
Sienna’s breath caught, her retort burning in her tongue. The room held its breath, waiting for her reply.
Finally, Sienna replied, her voice clam but edged with steel. "Is this a suggestion that I should divorce my husband?"
The Queen mother tilted her head, her expression serene but her words sharp. "Not divorce, child. For the greater good of your tribe, if you truly love him, perhaps you should settle for being the second wife. Allow a noble fox beast woman to lead the tribe as matriarch, That is the natural order. A fox should guide foxes."
Sienna’s lips curved into a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Has this been brought up with my husband? Or with his grandparents or great grandparents?"
The Queen mother’s silence was telling. She did not answer, her gaze flicking away as though the question was beneath her.
Sienna leaned forward, her smile widening, her tone deceptively polite. "With all due respect, don’t meddle in the marriages of others unless you wants others meddling in yours." She paused, letting the words sink in. "The king’s father, your husband, could use a younger bride. Have you considered the greater good you are requesting from me? Perhaps you should become a second wife yourself, and allow a new young bride to take your place."
The spa went utterly silent. The attendants froze mid-motion, the bridesmaids stiffened in their chairs, and even the fountains seemed to hush. Every eye turned to Sienna, waiting for the inevitable explosion, for the Queen mother to declare off with her head.
The queen mother’s face drained of color, her lips tightening into a stiff smile. For a heartbeat, the tension was unbearable. Then, suddenly, she laughed--a brittle, sharp sound that echoed off the marble walls. "I see now why Cadelaria struggles to control you. And why you have made a mess of her marriage--sending women to her husband, encouraging him to divorce."
Gasps rippled through the room. The bridesmaids exchanged shocked glances, their whispers rising like a tide.
Sienna shrugged, her expression unbothered. "She did exactly what you are doing now so I retaliated. Nobody should meddle in my marriage unless they want me meddling in theirs."
Her gaze shifted to Princess Lina, who stood wide-eyed beside her mother. Sienna’s voice was steady, resolute. "I was willing to indulge you but I have changed my mind. I will not be your bridesmaid. My reasons are simple. First, I am the outcast here. Your bridesmaids don’t like me. They think I stole Amani’s place and they have eyed me, whispered and sneered. They have made plans to go wine and cake tasting, a task you assigned all your bridesmaids apparently, yet no one has invited me. In fact they have made sure to exclude me. I don’t care, but I refuse to play high school games of famous girls and their circle against the new weird outcast."
The bridesmaids stiffened, some looking guilty, others defiant.
Sienna continued, her tone firm. "Second, I was brought here against my will. That alone is reason enough. I thank you for the invitation. For considering me a friend. For the spa treatment which I will reimburse in full. But I will not stand beside you at your wedding."
Lina’s face flushed red, her mouth opening to retort. But before she could speak, the doors burst open. They exploded inward as if a beast were attacking.
Elias strode in, cloak billowing, flanked by his men. His presence filled the room, commanding and unyielding. His eyes were so cold that they chilled everyone inside. Without a word, he crossed to Sienna, lifted her effortlessly into his arms, and carried her out. He did not acknowledge the princess or queen mother, or the stunned bridesmaids. His focus was solely on his wife.
After he left, some warmth returned to the room. People sighed in relief, because they had been expecting a beating when he strode in. Elias Veythar was not afraid to beat anyone that offended him. He had fought the king many times when they were in school. What was a princess or queen mother in comparison? What were noble beast women in comparison to the king?
Lina’s face twisted with fury. She glared to her friends and said coldly. "I told you to make Sienna comfortable. You made her uncomfortable and now she won’t be my friend anymore." She sneered at them. "I don’t want you as my bridesmaids anymore. Your attitude will ruin my wedding because you will offend the guests. Get out."
The bridesmaids looked unsure, but under Lina’s cold gaze, they left the spa. Most were disgruntled, with half done nails. But a royal command could not be disobeyed.
Lina finally turned to her mother, stamping her foot like a child denied a toy. "Mother, this is your fault! You ruined it!" A fat teardrop slipped from her right eye.
The Queen mother went into panic mode, her eyes blinking rapidly. "Baby, I was just trying to help my friend Cadelaria. Who knew the human girl was so sensitive? Did I say anything wrong? All I did was offer reasonable advise out of kindness."
"You ruined everything. I am not getting married anymore." Lina sobbed.
Lina turned, running from the spa in tears, saying she was going to tell her father and the Queen mother followed after her, begging her daughter to listen to her explanation.
The attendants in the spa were left puzzled and frightened, with their tools in hand, staring at the empty room.