After their intense conversation with the mysterious scholar—who was revealed to be a black witch—Melinoe and Xyphor left the underground trade market. The deal had been made: one thousand crystal cores of demonic beasts were required for the teleportation spell that could send Melinoe back to the Central Continent.
The night air was thick with tension as they stepped onto the cobbled streets. Xyphor stayed close to Melinoe, his protective instincts heightened after their earlier run-in with assassins. He guided her swiftly through the narrow alleys, ensuring that no one was tailing them before heading toward the inn where they had been staying.
But as they neared the entrance, an unexpected sight greeted them.
A group of tall, dignified-looking beastmen dressed in intricate Hanfu stood in front of the inn, their presence commanding attention. The silken robes bore elaborate embroidery, signifying their high status. At the center of them was a middle-aged beastman, his gaze sharp yet unreadable, exuding an aura of authority.
One of them stepped forward and bowed.
"Young Master Xyphor," the man said with a tone of forced politeness. "We have been searching for you. The Old Mistress and Old Masters have ordered your immediate return to the main house."
Melinoe's brows furrowed. She glanced at Xyphor, whose body had gone rigid beside her. His usual composed expression flickered with barely concealed irritation before he forced his signature smirk.
"I don't recall being at their beck and call," Xyphor said smoothly. "I have my own affairs to handle."
The man's gaze shifted slightly toward Melinoe, his nostrils subtly flaring as if catching something unusual in the air. His sharp eyes narrowed before returning to Xyphor.
"The old mistress was particularly insistent," he continued. "And considering the company you keep… it would be unwise to refuse."
There was an unspoken implication, and Xyphor's hand instinctively tightened around Melinoe's wrist. He knew exactly what they had picked up on—Melinoe's pregnancy. There were too many of them, and if they decided to use force, it could endanger her.
With a heavy exhale, Xyphor relented. "Fine. Lead the way."
The Serpenthis Main House was an architectural marvel. Nestled deep within the grand capital of the Eastern Continent, the estate was a sprawling fortress, blending ancient elegance with imposing grandeur. Golden lanterns illuminated the vast corridors lined with intricate wood carvings depicting the legendary ancestors of the Serpenthis lineage.
Melinoe followed behind Xyphor as they entered the main hall. At the head of the room, seated on a grand dais, was Xyphor's mother—Madam Hissandale. Draped in regal attire, her serpentine eyes were cold, piercing through the lavish atmosphere. Surrounding her were eight men—her husbands—each exuding a unique presence, from scholarly elegance to warrior-like dominance.
Melinoe was stunned. She had heard of polyandrous relationships before, but seeing it in such a grand setting was overwhelming.
Xyphor, as if sensing her thoughts, leaned in and whispered, "This is just average for Eastern Continent standards."
Before she could respond, Madam Hissandale spoke. "You've finally returned, Xyphor." Her voice was deceptively gentle, yet laced with underlying authority. "And I see you brought a guest."
"She is not just a guest," Xyphor said, standing tall. "Melinoe is my chosen mate."
A tense silence fell over the hall. Then, one of the older men—one of Xyphor's fathers—spoke with barely veiled disdain. "Nonsense. You already know we have an agreement with the Luvenis family. Sierra has been chosen for you since birth. Your wealth, your influence—it all aligns with hers."
Xyphor's jaw clenched. "I never agreed to that."
"You never had to," his mother interjected, her tone clipped. "You owe this family. You would be nothing without our name, our connections."
Melinoe watched as Xyphor's expression darkened. He was composed, but she could see the deep-seated resentment simmering beneath his exterior. She was beginning to understand just how suffocating his upbringing had been.
Another voice joined in—a soft, saccharine voice from behind the pillars of the hall. "Oh, Xyphor," the woman cooed. "You wound me."
Sierra.
Dressed in an elaborate red Hanfu, the beastwoman entered the hall with slow, measured steps. Her fox-like eyes gleamed with feigned hurt, but Melinoe could see the calculative amusement beneath it.
"You would choose some unknown woman over me?" Sierra pouted, her gaze flickering toward Melinoe with contempt. "How disappointing."
Xyphor smirked but it didn't reach his eyes. "You misunderstand, Sierra. I was never yours to begin with."
Madam Hissandale's patience thinned. "Enough of this foolishness. Melinoe is nothing more than a transient woman. Sierra is a proper match. She comes from a powerful family, a business empire that has always been tied to ours."
Xyphor's gaze turned sharp. "So this is about money? Power? Taking my achievements and distributing them as you see fit?" He let out a low chuckle. "Typical."
His mother's lips curled in irritation. "You are our weakest son, Xyphor. You were supposed to be a beastwoman, a daughter who would bring us prosperity, but instead, you were born a disappointment. The least you can do is honor your duty to this family."
Melinoe's eyes widened. She turned to look at Xyphor, who remained composed despite the blatant cruelty in his mother's words. But she could see it—the years of neglect, of being seen as nothing more than a burden. It was all hidden behind his usual smirk, but now she understood.
Xyphor exhaled, then took Melinoe's hand firmly in his own. "I have no obligations to a family that never truly wanted me. I refuse Sierra. Melinoe is my mate, and that's final."
Sierra's eyes flashed with anger. "You will regret this, Xyphor."
"Perhaps," he said, unfazed. "But at least my regret will be my own—not dictated by a family who only seeks to use me."
Madam Hissandale's gaze was unreadable, but the tension in the room only grew. Melinoe could feel that this battle was far from over. Xyphor's defiance had just opened a new war within the Hissandale family, and she was right in the middle of it.