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

Chapter 242: What’s his and hers?

Elias sat back on the blanket, torn between exasperation and reluctant amusement. His wife had a way of turning lunacy into strategy. He imagined Princess Lina, spoiled and dramatic, shrieking with joy at the sight of a worm dressed like a noble. He imagined her telling her servants that the worm was more valuable than them. He imagined the King getting a big laugh from it and parading the worm before the courtiers. Perhaps, he thought, it might actually work.

Still, he had to protest. "Sienna, what if it dies before the ceremony?"

She waved a hand, "I have already hired Jacinta’s worm caretaker. He prepared a large mobile home lined with star-moss. It will continue to live comfortably and lavishly as it has been taught."

Ali clapped her hands. "Papa, you should help! You can stitch the collar."

Elias recoiled. "I am not sewing a collar for a worm cloak."

Sienna leaned closer, eyes sparkling. "But imagine the story: the mighty fox lord, feared across realms, personally stitched a worm’s wedding attire to make his daughter happy. It will be legendary."

The rest of the family laughed.

Sienna tugged at Elias’s sleeve. "Come on. Just one stitch. For me."

He groaned, but the warmth in her eyes and the hope in Ali’s eyes was hard to resist. Reluctantly, he took the needle, pricked his finger immediately and scowled. Sienna patted his hand, guiding him through a clumsy stitch. The collar looked crooked, but she declared it perfect.

"There," she said triumphantly. "Now, it’s a family effort. Everyone must make at least one stitch. Precious the worm, will carry our unity into the princess’s marriage."

Her words drew laughter from everyone. As silly as it seemed, it seemed like something fun to do together.

Elias muttered, "If anyone asks, I deny involvement."

Sienna grinned. "Too late. Your stitch is immortalized." She gestured for everyone to sit around and make some stitches.

In the garden, laughter bloomed as they worked on the tiny clothes. Cyra and Eli joined soon enough, after returning from a shopping trip. Lunch was served, and they all remained where they were, enjoying a rare moment of bonding.

Only Cadelaria was absent. She was at the fox temple, serving food to pilgrims. After lunch, she had to join the monks in cleaning and meditation. It was her new job and also a form of penance, according to Jess. She would have to do it until her debt was paid off.

Her absence made the air sweeter, in Sienna’s opinion.

"So, what’s this about stolen blueberries?" Jesse asked suddenly, when fruits were being passed around.

Elias groaned.

Sienna kissed his cheek. "A carrot before the stick," she whispered. She turned to the elder, a forlorn look on her face, "Grandpa, you have to make a decision for me. Elias has to be stopped. He treats my garden like his farmer’s market, only, he doesn’t pay for the goods he takes."

"Doesn’t marriage have something like what’s mine is yours?" Miro asked? "It’s in the vows...I think."

Elias pointed to Miro, nodding eagerly. "True, True.."

Sienna hissed at him. "No, what’s his is mine and what’s mine is mine."

That started a loud round of argument on financial responsibilities in a marriage. In Elias’s opinion, Gael needed this knowledge the most, before dipping his toes into the field of marriage.

****

That evening, Elias and Sienna got some alone time away from the rest of the family, They used it to stretch by the pool on the second floor of the house. Outside, the weather was cold, but inside, it was as warm as a summer. Elias’s stuffy clothes had been exchanged for a loose tunic, giving him the appearance of a man on a holiday.

Sienna’s thick cloak had been swapped for a medium length light silk dress. She sat beside him, dipping her toes into the cool water, her hair loose.

"It feels like we have escaped something," she murmured, leaning back with a sigh. "Without the weight of your mother pressing down on me, I feel like we are on a vacation."

He chuckled, eyes half closed. "Except it’s not. I still have a stack of reports waiting in my office."

She waved a hand dismissively. "Reports can wait. Look at this pool. Look at me. Isn’t this more important?"

He turned his head, studying her with a low smile. "You make a compelling argument." He reached over, brushing his fingers against Sienna’s wrist.

She tilted her head, teasing, "Careful. If you start flirting, I might demand you lay down for our regular patting therapy."

He raised a brow. "We still have more! We have done it like ten times." They had two sessions a day.

"We have had seven. There are three more to go. You make it sound as if you don’t enjoy them." She laughed. "Last night, you were begging me for cuddles. In tears Elias!! I used to think your tear ducts were clogged with ice." She chuckled.

He sighed theatrically, rising to pour her a drink from the crystal jug on the side of the table. When her handed it to her, she tapped the rim against his glass in a mock toast. "To the cute fox lord and ordinary days that feel like paradise."

As the sipped, the sound of a car crushing echoed faintly from outside the house. He picked up his phone from the table, and looked at the security footage. His mother was back, and she had driven herself.

"Is she drunk?" Sienna asked curiously.

Elias sighed. "Looks like it." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "The guards should not have allowed her to drive herself."

Sienna watched footage of Cadelaria stumbling into the house, with the assistance of servants. They took her upstairs, where she proceeded to slam the door and lock it.

She raised an eyebrow. "Her road to atonement is going to be long. She is blaming everyone but herself. You, me, the sun, the air....anyone and anything but herself."

Elias leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers. "Let her blame who she wants. Her punishment was decided, the apology was publicized and everyone is ready to move on. Now, we can all move on. We deserve this moment. You, me, the water, the warmth. No politics. No worms. No drama."

She tilted her head, amused. "You had to mention the worm."

He grinned. "I can’t help it."

Sienna dangled her feet in the water again, kicking up a few drops with her toes, splashing him lightly. He retaliated by flicking water at her with his fingers, and soon they were laughing, playful as children.

Back at their seaside home, things were not as cheerful. Mrs. Miller had just received a package from the dead Paris Rocland!