New World with Four Husbands

The decision is final and no one objected to it.

Coco could feel their eyes on her, but she ignored the stares and focused her attention on the tea before her, steeling her nerves and her resolve.

Personally, she believes that no one should be left behind when it comes to family.

Her mother had never left out anyone whenever she brought home something expensive to eat or anything as a congratulatory gift for one of them, there would always be another gift for the other two, no matter what.

Her big sister won't ever let one of them feel left out so whenever she makes plans to go out, she would make sure that all of them are free so they could come.

It's the little things that speak volumes.

So, whatever happens, happens, because anyone who tells her that she was making a bad decision can go screw themselves.

The mediators around her had been abused for as long as her memories allow her to remember and they have been subdued by their anger after she took over Coco Hughes' body.

After all, anger is the protector of sadness, and if they were merely protecting themselves, how could she be mad at them?

"From what Sin said to me, we will be leaving tomorrow afternoon after I deliver the monster I will be hunting and the fruits I will be harvesting." Coco informed the four mediators around the room, humming softly.

Then, Coco carefully picked up the cup, her slender fingers encircling the porcelain with a tender touch.

The weight of the tea felt familiar in her hand, the steam rising in curled wisps, as if reaching towards her lips, and brought the cup to her mouth, her lips touching the rim, the heat of the tea transferring to her mouth as she sipped the liquid.

"Don't we have a say in this?" Alhai spoke up, his eyebrows furrowing in disbelief.

Sure, he may have felt a quick sense of relief, but when he realized what he was feeling towards Coco, he was fast to act and push that feeling down.

Not on his watch.

Not when Coco Hughes has not done enough actions to prove that she was a different person—

"I don't think we do, Alhai." Zaque said, cutting Alhai's train of thoughts, the sound of the knife hitting the chopping board following after, "Let's not forget about the fact that Coco has the most power in this household, and whatever she wants, she would get."

"But I don't want to co—"

"But you must come." Coco was the one who spoke up this time, cutting off Alhai's words as she pulled the rim of the cup from her lips, "If not, I'll have to resort to burning this house to the ground."

Zaque and the others stiffened, their attention snapping towards Coco, their eyes wide in shock.

"Pardon?" Heiren took the liberty to speak up, an incredulous look on his face as he stared at Coco, "You do know that you sounded outrageous just now, don't you?"

"Did I?" Coco blinked and raised an eyebrow, feigning a confused expression, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make all of you wary of me.. But you see, what I said a minute earlier? I mean it."

"You'll burn the house down if Alhai won't come with us?" Quizen asked, finally speaking up after being silent for almost half an hour.

"Yes." Coco said bluntly, as if it was the most basic knowledge in the world.

"That's.." Quizen mumbled with his voice slowly trailing off, like he was struggling to find the right words to say to his wife, a troubled expression on his face.

With the three mediators feeling slightly distraught because of what she said, Coco simply looked up, her eyes locking with Zaque's red ones as a warm and knowing smile curled her lips.

Zaque could not help, but feel a sense of reassurance from her gaze alone, his heart easing as he recognized the unspoken message in her gaze.

I got this.

It was a message of calm, a silent reassurance that she had everything under control.

Oh.. So, she knows? Zaque thought as he felt a wave of gratitude and trust wash over him, his mind relaxing ever so slightly as he watched her take charge.

This whole time, Coco managed to figure out what he wants and knows that he wants everyone to come with them to the main city? Even if the others were against his wants? But Coco took care of it despite being labeled as the bad guy for their eyes?

Zaque's heart pounded in his chest as he realized what Coco had done.

She had taken on the role of the 'bad guy' and willingly accepted the blame, the negative attention, all to protect his feelings and ease his worry.

The act felt so selfless, so kind, that Zaque found himself overwhelmed with gratitude and affection.

It was one thing to offer words of reassurance, but it was another entirely to shoulder the burden herself, to shield him from any discomfort or hurt.

Zaque watched as Heiren, Alhai, and Quizen directed wary stares at Coco, their eyes narrowing slightly after they heard what she said and observed her actions, but Coco remained composed, smiling and seemingly enjoying the tea.

Zaque let out a small sigh, setting down the knife he had been using to slice the bread on the counter and dragged the bread to a clean plate.

Wordlessly, Zaque walked over to the table where Coco was sitting and set down the freshly-cut bread in front of her.

The bread was still warm so the fragrance of freshly-baked bread filled the air as soon as he placed it on the table, and Coco didn't waste any time to lean forward, inhaling the delicious scent.

"Go on, eat." Zaque insisted, smiling, then his gaze flickered to the other three, "The three of you can eat, too, I guess."

Coco couldn't stop the snort from escaping.