Chapter 154: Ties to the Kaelion family.

Zyra did not feel like socializing like everyone else in the main house. After the day she had, all she wanted was a soft bed and total silence. Besides, she had the next day to deal with.

She quickly brewed a soothing sleeping potion for Hunter, handed it over to him, and excused herself from the dining area before anyone could drag her into a long conversation.

"Ah, look at her," Nanny Rosita sighed happily, clutching her hands over her chest the second Zyra’s footsteps faded away. "She is truly the best match for my Hunter! So polite, so respectful, so full of love. It is obvious she is a good person."

Bianca chuckled and took a small sip from the glass topped with cold beer. "Well, I would expect nothing less from Zena Scorpion’s daughter. I bet little Zyra can fight like a tiger! Zena was the best fighter ever met in my life. She must have trained her daughter from the day the girl was born."

The nanny continued to stare at the empty air long after Zyra had left, with a soft smile.

Bianca tilted her head toward Hunter with a cheeky grin. "Hey, Hunt. Do you remember how tough Zena was? Your grandfather practically begged her to train you back then just so you’d turn into a formidable fighting machine like her. Who could have known that someday you would be married to her daughter?"

Hunter’s lips pressed into a thin line. He stared down at his cup for a second. "Zyra doesn’t know that I knew her mother," Hunter said softly.

The whole room went quiet. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at him.

"Wait, really?" Bianca asked, raising an eyebrow as she slurped her beer as if it were soup. "Is there a reason you haven’t told her yet? Is this some secret that I should not be prying into?"

"The subject just_ hasn’t come up. Her mother’s name brings up sad memories for her." Hunter muttered, looking away as he played lightly with a small pendant around his neck_ a gift that he treasured.

Bianca gave a long, slow nod, clearly thinking he was overthinking the matter, but she decided not to push it. She switched gears instead. "So, did you tell the Grand Patriarch about your marriage? The old man will be thrilled to hear you married Zena’s daughter. You know Zena was like a daughter to him."

Hunter’s face darkened, his tone turning bitter. "If he cared about her that much, he should have looked out for her when things went bad for their family."

"Who said he didn’t?" Nanny Rosita interjected, her voice sharp with affection. "The Grand Patriarch sent plenty of money to Mrs. Munch and gave her all the help she needed to raise the Scorpion children! Zena’s relatives were greedy, but the nanny was honest and loyal. Your grandfather wanted to take in the siblings and raise them himself but there so many evil forces were involved back then. He was dealing with massive blows to his own power at the same time! He knew he could not protect them as he wished."

Hunter let out a long sigh. He looked around the room, meeting the eyes of every single person present. "My family does not know about my marriage. And I prefer that Zyra does not know I have ties to the Kaelions either. for now, Keep it that way. She’s innocent and pure. I am worried that they will stain her."

Bianca smirked, resting her chin on her palm. "Well, you better be careful then, cousin. Your dearest mother is looking for Zyra on the down-low."

"And Andrea is leading the search operation in secret at the estate." Achilles chimed in, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "They are hunting for Zyra as if she owes them money. But it’s not just them_ so many heavy hitters are interested in her right now. Even Trinity is making moves, and the Mayor’s people are sniffing around. The search seems to have intensified more than before despite the fact that there is no bounty. The discovery of a new dungeon just when she vanished into the wildlands is also stirring a lot of waves." He shot Hunter a sharp, knowing look.

Bianca froze, her tea halfway to her lips. She blinked, looking between Hunter and Achilles back and forth. "Wait_" She gasped softly. "Can Zyra actually find hidden dungeons like her mother? Because if this is confirmed she will be in double danger."

Silence filled the room. Nobody said a single word. But in this world, silence was the loudest answer of all.

Hunter’s knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists. "From the moment she was born, Zyra has been in danger. So many people were waiting for her awakening to use her_" His eyes flamed with dark determination. "I will die first before I let any of them touch a single green hair on her head."

Bianca dramatically raised her hand in the air. "Count me in! I’ll die right alongside you, cousin!"

They both turned to stare at Achilles, waiting for his grand oath of loyalty.

Achilles threw his hands up in defense and snorted. "Whoa, hold on! I am not dying for anybody! But hey, I have my own interests tied to Zyra, so I’d much prefer she stays alive and safe right by Hunter’s side."

Hunter narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously. "I already told you_?"

"Relax cousin, I have good intentions," Achilles laughed, waving a hand lazily. "After all, she’s family now!"

"Alright, lover boy, go get some rest," Bianca nudged Hunter playfully. "You have work to do tomorrow. Bandits to kill. Beasts to slay. A wife to make happy."

Hunter didn’t argue. He picked up the small vial Zyra had left for him and swallowed the sleeping tonic in one big gulp.

Achilles raised an eyebrow, looking at the empty bottle. "What was that potion anyway?"

"Zyra made it to help me sleep," Hunter replied smoothly.

"Does it actually work?" Achilles asked, genuinely curious. "Or is it just sweet water?"

Hunter smirked slightly, feeling a faint warmth spread in his chest. "Not yet."

Shrugging off his exhaustion, Hunter turned and started walking toward his quarters. Achilles trotted right behind him like a persistent shadow.

"Hey, by the way," Achilles whispered, tapping something on his glass tablet. "I finally got all the secret background info on Zyra’s ex-fiances’ and their families." Achilles jutted his chin toward Hunter’s pocket. "I just sent it to your phone. Take a look at the files tonight, and then we can decide how to crush them properly."

"Thanks cousin," Hunter said briefly.

Instead of going straight to his own room, Hunter made a small detour. He walked and stopped outside Zyra’s bedroom door. Pushing it open just an inch, he peeked inside.

Zyra was curled up under the thick blankets, breathing softly and fast asleep. She looked so peaceful, completely unaware of the storm brewing in the world outside. Hunter watched her for a long quiet moment, a rare, gentle warmth softening his cold eyes.

Satisfied that she was safe, he gently closed the door only halfway and finally walked back to his own room.