Chapter 82: A Wedding Invitation.

Zyra crossed her arms on her chest. "What’s wrong with Beast valley? I think it’s nice. This shelter is a beast sanctuary...well, not ordinary beasts, the smart or chosen ones. The old witch with the wand declared it so."

[I am not an old witch.] Beauty crossed it’s arms like her, puffing its cheeks, hissing fiercely. [If you must say that, at least call me a beautiful witch. Anything less will be considered hostile language from the host.]

She rolled her eyes. Of all systems, she got the dramatic one.

Achilles leaned towards Hunter, whispering, "Cousin, don’t let her craziness infect you. I knew the whole wizard and wand claims were her work. You must have had people out here building all this without telling me." He brushed a hand through his hair. "Awesome. Also, I brought the Soul maidens here because I figured when you are ready to end it with the crazy one, you will pick a better one. One that doesn’t talk to voices in her head and has zero chances of stabbing you in the neck while you sleep."

Hunter’s face darkened.

Zyra then looked at Achilles, her expression hardening. "I heard that, orange hair. And another thing. I don’t need that human security team you brought along. The valley’s defensive formations are secured enough."

"The security team is staying," Hunter interjected firmly. "Beauty could malfunction."

Beauty? Who the hell is that? Achilles thought.

Inside Zyra’s mind, a sharp, mechanical voice suddenly exploded with rage.

[MALFUNCTION?! Who does he think I am?! I am an apex system, not a broken toaster! Host, slap him and get a reward!]

Zyra completely ignored the system’s furious rants in her head, keeping her face perfectly calm. She leaned against the kitchen counter and asked Hunter, "If they stay, who is paying their rent? I already told you, only the beasts are exempted from paying rent." She held up a hand, "Wait, even the ducks paid in eggs. So, they are not freeloading."

Achilles quickly raised both his hands in surrender. "I will! I’ll pay it," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "In fact, I’ll also be paying the rent for Malia, Yanxi, and Tessi." He had a vested interest in keeping the Soul maidens here. As for Malia, her husband had paid protection and resource money. For a period of a year, she was covered.

A slow, beautiful smile formed on Zyra’s lips as she nodded. "Wow. How generous of you, cousin Achilles."

Hunter rolled his eyes while mimicking her. In response, she kicked him on the ankle and he hissed.

Achilles’ fingers tapped against the wooden table. Sensing the mood was not right, and it was time to change the subject, he reached into his pants and pulled out a slim, elegant envelope, sliding it across the table toward Hunter.

At the same time, Hunter picked up a freshly served plate of food and offered it to Zyra. He then took the envelope, eyeing the gold-leaf trim suspiciously.

"Go on, open it," Achilles encouraged, leaning back in his chair with a smirk.

Hunter broke the wax seal, pulled out the parchment, and scanned it. His brow furrowed. "What is this?"

Achilles snorted. "What, are you blind? Or did you suddenly go illiterate in the wild lands? Your...friend is getting married."

With a flick of his wrist, Hunter tossed the wedding invitation on the table. It slid perfectly across the wood, stopping right where Zyra sat.

"I figured you would not be RSVPing?" Achilles said softly, his playful tone vanishing.

"Correct." Hunter said flatly.

"The family is going to be incredibly disappointed." Achilles murmured, his voice trailing off.

Hunter abruptly stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. His face was masked in a cold, unreadable emotion. "I’ve lost my appetite," he said shortly, turning on his heel and walking out of the kitchen.

Zyra watched his retreating back, shaking her head. "So dramatic," she muttered.

Curiosity getting the better of her, she picked up the wedding card. Her eyes skimmed over the elegant, flowing calligraphy. But as she reached the center of the page, something caught her eye and made her entire body freeze. The name of the bride-to-be was stamped in shimmering silver ink: Lita Frood.

Achilles saw the shock on Zyra’s face and raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Why do you look like you’ve just seen a Somnivore?"

Zyra slowly lifted her eyes from the silver ink, her grip tightening until the expensive parchment began to crinkle. She looked straight at Achilles. "Is Eliot Kaelion... Hunter’s friend?"

Achilles shifted in his seat, his curiosity thoroughly piqued. He stared at her, trying to read her expression. "Calling him a friend is a stretch. Why? Do you know him?"

Zyra ignored his question, her heart starting to beat like a war drum against her ribs. "And this bride. Lita Frood. Is she the same Lita Frood from Myrtle City? From the Jersey Republic?"

Achilles winced, rubbing the back of his neck looking a bit embarrassed. "Uh, honestly? I didn’t pay much attention to the details of the bride’s background." He leaned in closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. "But I did hear my sisters gossiping over the phone. They said that only a brainless village girl from some backwater village could be brave enough to marry Eliot Kaelion."

Hearing those words, Zyra’s breathing instantly grew heavy. Her chest heaved with a mixture of disbelief and pure, unadulterated fury.

This is impossible! she screamed inside her mind. How could the heavens be so cruel?!

The memories rushed back, sharp and bitter. Lita that venomous snake had actually joined forces with her trash ex-fiancés to chase her down. Lita had stood there, watching with a twisted smile while those bastards tried to violate her, completely lacking an ounce of human decency.

And now? The heavens were rewarding that monster with a prestigious marriage into a powerful family? Well, not on my watch, Zyra thought, her eyes flashing with a dangerous light. If the heavens won’t give out justice, I’ll bring it myself.

With a loud bang, she jumped up from her chair.

"Zyra? Where are you going?" Achilles called out, thoroughly confused by her sudden burst of murderous aura.

She completely ignored him. Stomping out of the kitchen, she marched straight down the hallway toward Hunter’s bedroom. She didn’t knock. She didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the handle, threw the door open, and sprung into the room like a tiger chasing its prey.

"Hunter, we need to...." The words died instantly in her throat.

Hunter was about to walk into the bathroom. He was completely naked.

Before Zyra’s brain could even process the concept of modesty, her eyes...governed by pure, unfiltered human instinct...landed directly on his body, and then naturally, traveled straight down to his private parts.

Time seemed to freeze in the room.

"Goodness woman, don’t you know how to knock?!" Hunter barked, crossing his arms over the part that needed covering.