Tasting
Chapter 357

357–Messing Around

Nora:

After Silas left, I took a deep breath and sipped some water, only for Mrs. Fisher interrupted and snatched the glass from my hands.

“You are not allowed to use any of the royal dishes,” she hissed at me, her voice low so that no one else would hear.

“Really?” I met her gaze directly, then grabbed a large spoon and licked it thoroughly, watching her face twist in shock. I loved doing obnoxious things just to get under her skin, and it was always satisfying when I got an explosive reaction out of her.

Provoking people had become a game for me now. But even I could sense something had changed within me. The girl who used to cry after being dismissed by her mates was gone. The moment they were out of sight, I was fine, even joking around.

“There you go, savor it. It’s a blessing from a fighter,” I teased, winking at her as I continued to mess with her. She groaned in frustration while the other maids laughed. It didn’t bother me as much anymore. Ever since they’d seen me fight the mutants, their comments were mostly behind my back–and even then, they’d apologize quickly afterward.

“Everyone, is dinner ready?” Brody walked in, addressing the maids as he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a sigh. The brothers were giving him a hard time.

“My dear husband is sweating in the middle of winter?” I joked, leaning against the counter as I grabbed a can of mixed fruit, casually eating spoonfuls. Food from the royal kitchen tasted incredible, and I wasn’t allowed in here anymore. I only got fresh fruits and bottles of milk. Not going to lie, I was starving most of the time. They needed me in good health to keep fighting the mutants and bringing them wealth yet they didn’t do that.

“I really want them gone,” Brody muttered before turning his full attention to me. He walked over and stood in front of me, hands on his hips.

“They came to see you. What did they talk about?” he asked, his expression tense. He looked so serious that I couldn’t help but mess with him a little.

“They said they suspect we’re hiding something,” I whispered, watching his eyes widen in alarm.

“Huh? Did they pick that up from my behavior or yours?” he asked, his voice shaky. So he wanted to know which one of us is messing up? Did he really expect me to say my own name?

“Yours. They said someone told them you have a second wife and that you’re hiding her right now,” I continued lying, and the sweat on his forehead turned into a flood.

I knew Brody had sent Janet away to some hotel, hoping the brothers wouldn’t replace out. However, he did mention that if they did, we would act like I had allowed it.

“Oh no, that means I shouldn’t hide her. If they replace out before I tell them, they’ll think something’s wrong and might extend their stay,” he whispered to himself, nodding as if confirming his own plan. It was fun watching the world burn around me.

“You’re right. Wow, you think so well,” I praised him, making him break his gaze from the floor and look at me. A blank stare, followed by a smile creeping onto his lips.

“Thank you. But would you be okay if I brought her back? I mean, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable, especially in front of them, knowing I’ve brought another mate above you,” he asked so innocently that no one would believe me if I told them this was the same man who had let me be watched by thousands in the arena, getting beaten and forced to kill a mutant.

“Of course not. I want them gone as much as you do,” I straightened my posture, setting the can aside.

“You do?” The gleam in his eyes made me chuckle.

“Of course, I’ll finally get to hold my babies then. Why else would I want them gone?” I raised an eyebrow, shattering whatever hopeful thoughts he had.

Did he think I was going to say something like, *‘Because I want to spend time with you, Brody?‘* These alpha kings were seriously delusional. I bet they thought their one gaze can soften a mountain. That is not how it works. Brody is not that handsome for me to have one look at his face and forget about his mistreatment.

“Right. I’ll go ask the driver to bring Janet back. But please, handle everything. Don’t let them figure out what we’re hiding,” he said as he started to walk away. I cleared my throat, stopping him with one last question.

With a forced smile on my lips, I asked, “And what exactly is that?”

I bet he knew if he started explaining what we were hiding, he’d look like the villain.