New World with Four Husbands

"This is Coco Hughes." Sinclair said, introducing a buzzing Coco to the man standing beside Alithe.

Sinclair, his hand still holding Coco's, turned to the man with piercing eyes— his hair was a soft silver, almost shimmering in the soft glow of the night, his eyes were a steel blue, an intense and captivating color.

The man's gaze shifted to Coco, his eyes locking onto hers with a steady stare.

Sinclair spoke, his voice formal and respectful, "Coco, this is Captain Orlan, the eldest child of Marchioness Monilia and the captain of the guards of order."

The man nodded his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over Coco as if appraising her, his expression was stoic, his face betraying no emotion and from looking at him alone, Coco could tell that the man was intimidating, his lightly muscular frame and stern expression gave an air of authority.

The Captain's gaze stayed on Coco, his eyes studying her closely for a moment before he spoke.

"Welcome to Elyva Omylarion." He said, his voice low and smooth, "I am Captain Orlan, but you may refer to me as Eimon, because Alithe's and Sinclair's friend is a friend of mine as well."

Coco smiled with infectious enthusiasm, her head bobbing up and down as she responded.

"Likewise!" She said, her voice cheerful with her eyes sparkling with excitement as she returned his gaze.

There was no hint of timidity or nervousness in her demeanor, only eagerness and cordiality, and that caught the man off guard.

"Though, just because you're Sinclair's friend doesn't mean you're my friend as well." Coco hums, the friendly smile still on her face, "But I'm more than willing to get to know you, sir!"

Captain Orlan's expression shifted as Coco made her statement, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded her.

He took in her words, a small frown forming on his face as he processed her declaration, his eyes flickered between Coco and Sinclair, doing his best to scope out the intention of the woman before him.

When he saw none, with Sinclair simply offering him a knowing smile, his expression became more thoughtful and he found himself considering Coco's words.

He let out a small, almost quiet huff.

There was a sharp edge to his gaze, a flicker of annoyance flickering across his features, but he held his tongue, his expression becoming understanding.

The Captain nodded his head, his expression softening a tiny bit because no matter how much he flipped the woman's brain upside down, he could understand where he was coming from.

Sinclair raised an eyebrow at the changes of expression on his stoic friend's face, the corner of his lips curling up in an amused smirk.

There was a glimmer of understanding in Captain Orlan's gaze, a momentary hint of appreciation for Coco's straightforward honesty and lack of pretense, and despite the initial annoyance he felt, he respected her bluntness and even found a touch of common ground with her.

"I understand." The silver haired man stated, voice gruff with grumble.

"Great.. So, I— I mean, can we excuse ourselves? It's getting late, and I'm worried about my husbands." Coco said, tightening her hand on Sinclair's, "The journey from the village to here was a rough one so I want them to rest as early as possible."

The Captain raised an eyebrow at Coco's words, his expression slightly showing that he was intrigued by her reason.

However, even if he was intrigued at the blunt lie that Coco told in his face, the man nodded his head, his gaze shifting to the gate behind him as he gave Coco a subtle signal, gesturing with a brief tilt of his head for her to go past.

The gate loomed behind him, its intricate carvings on full display— the carvings themselves is the royal family's crest— as if telling those who wants to enter that they are about to enter the grandiose city of them all, which is true, they are about to enter the main city after all.

Coco brightened up at the idea of finally entering the city, her hand tugging on Sinclair's arm as she made her way back to the carriage, the movement was quick and eager, her excitement evident in her body language.

Alithe and Captain Orlan watched them go, their expressions both amused and slightly perplexed at her behavior, but the strangeness of her abrupt departure, they didn't stop her, their gazes following her as she practically dragged Sinclair back to the carriage.

There was a spring in her step, a sense of urgency in her movements, and all Captain Orlan could do was slowly turn his head to look at Alithe, a single question leaving his lips.

"You're okay with someone like her to drag your husband away from you?" The Captain's voice has a slight tone of amusement, barely there, but it was unmistakably there, "I didn't expect to see the day that Astin Alithe II would let his dearest get snatched by a woman."

"You're speaking as if Sinclair had fallen in love with Coco." Alithe huffed, an annoyed lilt on his voice as he shot Captain Orlan a boombastic side eye.

"It's not my fault if that's how you interpreted my words." The Captain hums.

Then, a scream snapped the two of them out of their playful banter, causing the two of them to whisk their heads to the direction of the scream.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" Coco screamed, her body hanging out of the open door of the carriage.

The Captain and Alithe flinched and their expressions shifted to surprise as the carriage rolled past them, its wheels churning against the ground and the horses' hooves slapping against the dirt, all adding to the noise.

They watched the carriage roll away, their gazes lingering on the departing group, but then Alithe's eyes landed on Sinclair who had stuck his head out of the carriage just in time for them to disappear in the distance.

"Clair?!" The hybrid cried out, eyes widening in shock.