New World with Four Husbands

"What did you say to your friend?" Zaque asked, turning away from the window of the carriage.

"That I'm not Coco Hughes." Came a muffled response from Coco, her face buried on Konoha's fur, mulling over her decision to come clean to Jacques.

She was overwhelmed with how loved she felt back there so she decided to tell Jacques about who she truly is, but based on Jacques' reaction, she felt kind of regretful and is now kicking herself over her idiotic decision.

"You did what— why? What gives you the idea that she will believe you?" Alhai narrowed his eyes, snapping his attention away from his book.

"I don't know.. She was just so good to me." Coco mumbled, her response coming out quietly.

The mediators shared a look, their eyebrows furrowed in worry— for Coco and about Jacques keeping Coco's secret— and stared at each other for a moment, then they looked back at Coco.

Coco and the four mediators were seated closely to each other, the vehicle rocking and bumping along the rocky road.

Despite the bumpy ride, Coco remained unchanged, her face still buried in Konoha's soft belly fur and she refused to lift her head, her expression hidden from view.

The four mediators sat in awkward silence, their gazes flickering between her and each other, their expressions ranging from concern to annoyance, the tension in the air was thick, the silence only broken by the rhythmic sound of the carriage wheels bumping over the uneven ground.

Coco's expression was not visible to their eyes, sure, but her frustration was evident in her body language.

Her shoulders were tense, her arms wrapped tightly around the white fluffy creature, her head buried firmly against Konoha's white fur— the creature in question was purring and sleeping.

"Just because she was good to you." Alhai said, nodding his head as he sucked in a breath, sharp— almost sounding like a scoff, "You told her because you were treated well? I didn't know that you would be taken by simply being taken care of—"

Coco snapped her head up, her eyes narrowed into glare that was immediately fixed on Alhai.

The sudden movement startled him into silence, his mouth snapping shut in an instant and eyes wide in surprise as he stared at Coco out of shock.

He had been speaking in a condescending tone earlier, but now he couldn't muster the courage to do so and was now as quiet as a mouse, his expression a mix of surprise and caution— his finger tightening on his book.

Coco's gaze was intense and fierce, her expression making her anger and frustration clear.

Coco sat still, her glare glued on Alhai.

Even though she had not said a single word, her expression was enough to fill the carriage with tension.

Alhai shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, his expression betraying his nervousness as he tried to maintain a neutral expression, but his body language betrays his emotions.

The other mediators in the carriage watched the scene unfold with interest, their expressions ranging from curious to cautious, but none of them dared to intervene or speak up because this was the very first time that Coco had glared at someone.

For particular reason, the three of them are glad that it was not them who was on the receiving end of her glare.

For Zaque, he knows why, but for the other two, they have no idea why— they just don't want Coco to glare at them like they are nothing, but strangers.

Huffing, Coco buried her face back into Konoha's belly, the soft fur hiding her expression once again and sending her comfort, making the anger she felt earlier melt away in an instant.

The fluffy creature, sensing the tension and probably understood what had just happened, sent a subtle look of mockery in Alhai's direction, her ears flicking back slightly with a slight twitch of her whiskers.

Alhai felt the creature's gaze and looked away, his expression a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.

As he did so, Konoha kept her head lifted and still had a mocking glare at Alhai, her gaze fixed on him, her expression was as sly as a fox, her eyes narrowed and her tail slightly flicking from left to right.

It was clear that she had no respect for Alhai and was enjoying the situation, and she made it known to others inside the carriage.

The three mediators around them watched the silent exchange between Alhai and Konoha, their eyebrows raised in confusion, but an amused smile on their faces at the creature's mocking gesture.

Who would have thought that a creature like her would dare mock their friend?

As much as Alhai wants to wrap his fingers around the creature's scruffs, he knows that he couldn't because if he did, Coco would be even more upset with him.

Zaque cleared his throat lightly, the sound cutting through the tension quietly, not wanting to startle the woman beside him, before carefully resting a palm on Coco's shoulder, his hand warm on her limb.

The touch was cautious, but firm, his eyes flickered from Coco to the other mediators briefly, sending a silent message— behave yourselves— before focusing back on Coco.

His voice was gentle and reassuring as he spoke, his words meant to soothe.

"It will be fine, Coco." Zaque said softly, his gaze warm and caring, however, Coco didn't turn towards him, her face still hidden in Konoha's belly, but her body language relaxed slightly at his touch.

Coco tightened her arms around Konoha, the fluffy creature mewling lightly in surprise, the sudden movement catching Konoha off-guard, her small body pressed against Coco's chest as the human held her close.

Though, despite the unexpected motion, Konoha quickly relaxed, her soft purrs filling the air as she settled against Coco's body.

Even if Coco was upset and got mad at Alhai, the four of them couldn't help, but feel thankful that Coco was comfortable enough to let them see this side of hers.