Transmigrated To A Beastworld As The Lazy Wife Of The Fox Lord

Chapter 238: How to proceed.

The ruling family of the fox tribe gathered in the sprawling living room, its walls lined with portraits of ancestors glaring down like silent judges. Jess and Jesse sat in high-backed chairs, at the head of the room, their presence commanding silence.

The air was thick with tension, though Sienna herself was blissfully unaware, curled up on a side couch, snoring softly, her hair spilling over cushions. She had been sleeping for two hours and showed no sign of waking anytime soon.

Ali, ever her mother’s willing shadow, had joined her in slumber, clutching a stuffed space ship plush and drooling on Sienna’s hair.

Elias sat rigidly in the chair closest to them, his jaw tight. On his others side was a couch occupied by his father. Lady Cadelaria was also sitting on that couch. She was leaning toward her husband, whispering urgently, but Marius was ignoring her. He was staring ahead as if she were invisible. The silence between them was louder than any argument.

The rest of the Veythar children sat around, in different chairs, exchanging glances that were filled with words they didn’t dare to say loudly.

Jesse cleared his throat, the sound echoing like a drumbeat. "You have all heard the new on the affairs of the family. We must discuss how to proceed after the incident." His eyes flicked to Cadelaria, who shifted uncomfortably. "The tribe is watching. Gael’s engagement is approaching, we cannot afford anymore scandal."

Jess nodded, her cane tapping against the floor. "Appearances must be preserved. The engagement is not only a family affair, it is a political alliance. The tiger tribe should not see this as anything more than a family affair."

Eli, brimming with self-importance, stood slowly. He clasped his hands behind his back like he saw grandpa Coven doing often, and walked to the center of the room. "I believe," he announced solemnly, "that we must issue a statement. Something dignified. I have been working on it with Timothy all afternoon: ’The fox tribe regrets the incident, but we remain united.’"

The elders blinked at him.

Gael laughed. "All afternoon, and that is what you came up with? Grandma’s search and seizure of mother’s family assets is not a tribal issue, so, you can’t say the tribe regrets it. You can say ’The Veythar’s regret it.’"

Eli frowned.

Elias frowned.

At the same time, they both said, "Veythars don’t do regrets."

"And you are a child, sit this one out." Cyra pointed out the obvious.

Eli puffed out his chest. "I am not a child. I am strategist for our family. Mama assigned everyone roles in the family. I am the strategist."

Elias groaned softly, rubbing his temples. "Maybe you should take a sit Mr. Strategist. Your duck print socks disqualify you from these affairs."

The boy ignored his father. "We must also control the narrative. If we do not, others will. I suggest we blame grandma’s actions on the Eagles. The dead eagle lord specifically. There is nothing a good frame job can’t fix. And, he is dead, so he can’t defend himself anyway."

Elias turned to look at his sleeping wife immediately. Framing! Where else had the idea been born, if not his wife? It seemed like her methods were having an effect on their son. He would have to remind her to commit crimes away from the presence of their children.

Sienna snored softly, as if applauding her son. Ali shifted, mumbling in her sleep, "More meat...."

In such a serious moment, the careless behavior of the two drew smiles from almost everyone.

Lady Cadelaria took advantage of the minor distraction to try again. Leaning towards her husband she whispered, "Mari please, listen to me. If I am made to apologize publicly, I will be ruined. At least tell mother to put me back in charge of Gael’s engagement. Stripping away all my authority is not the solution. What will people say?"

Lord Marius turned his head deliberately away, studying the ceiling beams, as though they were more fascinating than her pleas. The silence was brutal. She bit her lip, eyes glistening, but no one came to her rescue.

Jesse raised a hand. "Putting aside the duck print socks, the boy is right. We must issue a statement, but we are not involving the deceased eagle lord. We must give the people half-truths. It must be crafted carefully. Elias, you will draft it."

Elias stiffened. "Grandfather, why me?"

"You are the Lord of the tribe," Jess said sternly, "You will speak for the family."

Eli raised his hand. "I volunteer to edit the statement. My vocabulary is extensive."

While others giggled, Elias sighed. "Your vocabulary is not needed. You know like three big words."

"That’s three words more than you used when you failed to explain to mama why you stole her blueberries." Eli sniffed.

While Elias’s face burned, his family laughed. With the exception of Cadelaria of course. She was too busy glaring at Sienna, and wondering how she had the guts to sleep with her feet raised on the couch! Right before Jess and Jesse! If it had been her, the two elders would be throwing a fit right now.

Why was it that Chubby charms could get away with everything?

Sienna stirred in her sleep, muttering, "Don’t forget the sauce..." Ali rolled over, snuggling closer to her mother. The two were like a pair of foxes curled in a den, oblivious to the storm brewing around them.

Jess tapped her cane. "Gael, your engagement has been affected the most by this mess. We must decide how to present your mother on that day because everyone will be whispering. It is your choice. Should she be present for the ceremony?"

Cadelaria gasped. "Mother! You would exclude me! I am his mother for crying out loud!"

Jess replied blankly, "A mother that gave away the only set of Silver Pearl jewelry in the world which was meant to be part of his bridal gifts. It is worth 12 million beast coins. Do you even know that? The collector your mother sold it to died a week ago and it vanished. Now, I am the one that has to explain to the family of the bride why one of the most outstanding the betrothal gifts they asked for is missing." She huffed. "You know what? You can attend the ceremony but you will be in the background. Consider this my mercy. If you don’t like it, fake a sickness and remain out of the public eye for a few months."

When Cadelaria looked at Gael for support, her son shrugged. This was out of his hands.

Cadelaria shrunk back, sniffing softly. "It’s not fair," she muttered, "I am the mother of the groom." Why was everyone against her? she asked herself.

In the eyes of everyone, her pity party held no weight. But as long as she did not make anymore mistakes, it was not too late.