A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night

She held up a finger for each as she spoke.

"One's cunning and calculating, probably still playing three-dimensional chess in her sleep."

"Another's practically celibate. If she ever looked at a man, I must've missed it."

"Then there's the control freak... wouldn't be surprised if she schedules her breathing."

And then, her voice dropped into a teasing drawl.

"And the last one... was a rebellious brat. Ha. I still remember my mother saying how she tried to sneak into the Sword Tower disguised as a stable boy to get back her sword that the Tower Master confiscated. I bet judging your personality, she must be the hardest to get along with."

Alice gave a short laugh to herself. "Though, who knows? It's been years. Maybe they've changed. I mean, I don't mean to demean them or anything. I know that they were your wives and you love them. Just saying… You know…"

"That's alright. They are fine, actually." Kael replied with a smile. "We get along well. They help me out with whatever problems I have and…"

Suddenly…

*Ahem.*

All heads turned. Mia had her hand raised slightly, her eyes flickering to the side. "Alice... you do realize that one of his wives is right here, don't you?"

Alice blinked. Slowly, her gaze turned to Shiera. The latter had a calm gaze, but when you look deep into them, it is quite terrifying. "Umm… you? I'm sorry, Miss… Princess… which one are…" Alice didn't finish, but her eyes widened in realization. "The youngest?"

Shiera lifted her face with a hardened gaze. "Yes," she said coolly, her grip on the cast iron rod that had a roasted Boar tied to it was tightened to the point that it left her print as she left it, and added. "The rebellious brat."

Alice's smile faltered.

A bead of sweat rolled down the side of her cheek as she stiffened. Her hand, instinctively searching for cover, reached out and grabbed Kael's arm beside her. She laughed awkwardly, high-pitched and forced. "O-oh! I didn't mean you, Shiera. I… I meant… I…"

Alice's nervous laugh faded into silence as she couldn't find any words to say before she whispered in Kael's ear. "Help me out, please."

Kael felt a bead of sweat roll down his own temple, hearing her request. He subtly tried to pull his arm away from Alice, but her grip only tightened slightly, almost unconsciously, like she was anchoring herself from drowning in the tension.

He knew that if he got involved in the mess of two women, he would become collateral damage.

Shiera, meanwhile, narrowed her eyes, her tone turning slightly glacial. "Then, who is the rebellious brat you are referring to, earlier? And who am I then? The control freak, the celibate, or the cunning one?"

"Well…" Alice's eyes darted left and right, her face had an awkward expression. She seemed like she didn't know what to answer, and she couldn't help but tug his sleeves twice.

"Alright, alright. Shiera, calm down. Don't need to be all jumpy over such comments. Alice was just trying to be humorous." He glanced sideways and came to her defense, not having any choice. Then, he added a quiet mutter. "Well, she is not wrong, though."

"Hmm? What did you say?" Shiera's eyes flashed chillness for a moment. She looked as if she was about to lose her sanity for a second.

Kael, however, had his gaze away. He didn't see her expression and only muttered. "Well, you were indeed kind of famous across the Queendom… for being a rebellious brat."

Clang!

Shiera snapped the cast iron rod in her grip and walked to the others. Everyone flinched, and Alice, as if she were afraid, leaned onto Kael's side, holding his arms to her chest.

"First of all, take… your… F*cking… hand… Off… My husband."

Her voice was low, measured, and dangerous. Alice immediately freed him. Shiera then shifted her gaze to Kael. "And Kael… I would like to speak with you. Alone."

There was a warning in her tone. The kind you don't argue with.

Kael blinked in surprise, but nodded. He followed her as she strode to a quiet corner, a bit far from the campsite.

Kael barely had time to speak when Shiera spun around, her arms crossed tightly across her chest, her jaw clenched. "What was that earlier?"

Her tone was cold and accusatory.

Kael frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me," she snapped. "Do you like her or something?"

Kael recoiled a bit. "What? No! Of course not. That's ridiculous."

"Then why were you defending her like that?" she demanded. "I didn't even do anything to her, and you jumped in to take her side in front of my friends and Mia."

Her fists trembled at her sides. Not from weakness, but from frustration barely held in check. "How dare you take her side over mine when you are supposed to be my husband?"

Kael's expression twisted in surprise. However, he frowned instead, "So, you really acknowledge me as your husband? I see you insulting me to my face in front of your sisters, and I didn't say anything."

"So, this is your payback?" Shiera's gaze turned even colder. "Now that you've gotten stronger with extra monsters on the side, you will insult me now in front of strangers? Do you think I will sit aside and swallow them or something?"

The conversation between them heated up further as Kael shut his eyes for a moment to control his anger. "What insult? Where is the insult? I was just trying to cool down the atmosphere. It was a bloody joke. She already apologized for it. Alice didn't mean it, alright. Also, I purposely teased you before, but you didn't say anything in the desert. Now, you are offended all of a sudden? Did you forget that this whole thing—us being close, being a nice couple—it's a charade to keep Mia happy. Which, by the way, is your idea. And I'm supporting you. After this mission, I intend to get back home anyway. So, we won't see each other. Why don't you just try to cooperate for another day, you know, try to hold off your anger and all, and we can separate on nice terms?"

Shiera's teeth ground together. Her next words were low, almost a growl. "Yes. That's true." But then she stepped closer, her voice sharpening with every word. "Fine, I won't flare up, but if you're going to defend another woman like that… if you're going to tease me to make her laugh… how does that look? Huh?"

She jabbed a finger into his chest.

"You think it makes us look close? Like a couple? Or does it just make me look like a joke to her? That this 'brat' you married is just some hotheaded idiot you can't even pretend to like in public? And even if it is true, if you admit to her that you married us for money, you are just embarrassing me and my sisters in public. You could have been vague instead. And for your information, I didn't say anything in the desert because they are people I trust. Your friend is nothing but a stranger to me. Ever thought about how I would feel if you embarrass me in front of her, instead of covering up for me, instead?"