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

Chapter 287: Two rivals families.

"Shut up." Sienna hissed to her mother-in-law. "Let those who are involved do the talking."

Sienna had no idea what was to come next. She could only wait for them to decide. What she was sure of, was that she was not going to sign off on the divorce without helpful information, no matter what insults her mother-in-law hurled at her.

Mr. Valemont rose slowly, his white and light blue cloak whispering against the polished floor. His presence commanded silence, and though some of those in the room shifted uneasily, none dared interrupt. Not until they heard what he had to say.

"Since you demand to know, Lady Sienna," he began, "I will explain everything, for both families." His voice was deep, carrying the weight of someone accustomed to leadership.

The room was silent. Lady Cadelaria pursed her lips, clearly displeased that the matter was being dragged into the open just because Sienna insisted. Her authority was being thrown away completely in favor of the human daughter-in-law.

Sienna’s eyes narrowed, her hand tightening on her phone and the smart pen which she would use to sign the electronic paperwork if she saw no issues in their story.

Mr. Valemont’s gaze swept across the room. "Three hundred years ago, our two families turned sworn enemies. It began with the discovery of a jade mine in River Raj Northern cliffs. My ancestor, Lord Peyter Valemont secured the rights to mine the jade. But their ancestor, Lady Amerie claimed he bribed the priest overseeing the treasures of the tribe for the information on the mine and rights to control it. Blood was spilled that night. Lady Amerie was slain in the skirmish, and one of my grand uncle’s was poisoned to death in retaliation. From then on, every generation carried the feud like a torch, passing it down with bitterness and pride."

He paused, letting the weight of history settle. "The enmity thrived. Marriages forbidden between our families. Trade wars erupted. Even festivals became battlegrounds when our two families met. The feud grew bigger with every year that passed. The crimes which were committed between in the bid to prove superiority became dangerous. There was just so much hatred and rivalry carved into our bones."

Some of those present exchanged glances. A few thought the tale unnecessary, a relic of the past, but none dared to interrupt him because they all wanted the same thing. Sienna listened intently, her heart pounding. She was already imagining a tale of enemies turned lovers, running away together. Had the couple been caught by their parents and they were being forced to divorce?

Mr. Valemont continued. "My son Fiddle, heir to our house, fell unconscious one morning, four months ago, without warning. No physician or technology or special herb could rouse him. His breath was steady, his body uninjured, yet his eyes remained closed. We kept the news in-house, but invited medical sages from all over the empire and abroad. All failed.

Finally, we invited the priest to take a look. He opened Fiddle’s eyes, looked inside and declared that my son’s soul had slipped beyond the mortal world accidentally. Only a union could restore it--a marriage to a woman born under the rare alignment of yin and yang."

Sienna’s excitement dropped by a large percentage. They were not run away lovers, it was probably a marriage of convenience.

Mr. Valemont lifted his hand, "The priest’s words were precise: she must be born on the twelfth day of the twelfth month, at the twelfth hour, in the twelfth minute when yin and yang cross. He called it the hour of the fox, when night yields dawn. Such a birth is rarer than a phoenix giving birth to two eggs. We searched across cities, through noble houses and small towns. Only one matched: a girl born to the house of our sworn enemy."

Sienna’s heart thudded slightly. She covered her mouth to stop the gasp which nearly escaped. So the daughter of the rival family had married to save a life! What price had the Valemont’s paid?

Mr. Valemont sighed. "We knew it would not be easy getting them to agree to a marriage union. They would sooner watch my son die than save his life. But it so happened that at the time, both families were competing for a royal jade merchant contract worth ten billion. A fortune that could secure dominance for the winning family for generations. It so happened that our family won.

The Pyrrhath’s agreed to allow the marriage, but only if we surrendered the contract. We had no choice. My son’s life outweighed wealth. The marriage was arranged swiftly. Three months ago, vows were exchanged. Three days later, as the priest predicted, my son awoke."

He closed his eyes briefly, as if reliving the miracle. "We waited three months to be certain. The priest has given him a clean bill of health, physically and spiritually. Now, the purpose of the union is fulfilled. Divorce must naturally follow."

Lady Cadelaria leaned forward, her voice sharp. "You see, Sienna? It was necessity, not choice. Now sign the papers and end this farce."

But Sienna’s jaw tightened stubbornly. "Necessity or not, a marriage is not a contract to be tossed aside when it outruns its usefulness. What if the couple fell in love during those three months and wish to stay together. They are adults. I want to hear their wishes."

Mr. Valemont’s gaze hardened. "My son is engaged to another. His wife to be is the daughter of a noble rabbit family. Their engagement was held at the beginning of the year. When Fiddle lost his soul, we sent her off on a vacation under false pretenses to buy time. Their wedding is set for two months for now. If her family learns that Fiddle was married during this time, the engagement may collapse. Our families have financial ties. Our house would be disgraced!"

Dixie’s mother also pitched in. "Our daughter also has a prior engagement with Mr. Grace Twindell’s son, Ethane. Mr. Grace is aware of everything that has happened, but he wants a clean slate before Dixie daughter marries into their family. This marriage is not about two people, it is about the union of houses."

It seemed so simple. Everything was tied neatly in a bow. But Sienna couldn’t help feeling like the bow was crooked.

Sienna looked at the couple curiously, softening her voice. "Do you two agree? Should I sign the papers? If there is something you wish to say, this is your chance. Three months is a lot of time, anything can change. I would not wish to sign these papers and hear that one of you abandoned an innocent man or woman at the altar so so you could both run away."