The Spoilt Beauty And Her Beasts-Chapter 572: Soup. If you drop it, I’m taking it back
Evening settled quietly over the stone palace, warm amber light spilling from carved lanterns that lined the hallway.
The air smelled faintly of herbs, broth, and the cool breeze drifting in from the open courtyard. After the ritual, Shelia had been carried back to her room, placed gently on the freshly laid bedding that Ophelia had straightened at least six times out of nervous habit.
Isabella sat beside the bed now, one leg crossed over the other, tapping her fingers lightly on her knee. Her eyes softened every time she looked at Shelia’s resting face. Her friend looked peaceful. More than peaceful. Beautiful.
"She looks like a sleeping fairy now," Isabella murmured to herself, her voice filled with a tired pride that warmed the room. "My work is elite. Honestly, I should open a clinic."
Glimora, who had flopped dramatically across a nearby rug, lifted her tail lazily and swished it once. Isabella reached over and rubbed the little beast’s stomach with absent affection.
"You saw her before, right?" she whispered to Glimora. "Her skin was melted. Her bones were twisted. People would scream if they were to see her. And now look at her. Glowing. Shining. Sparkling. If she wakes up and doesn’t thank me with tears, I will be offended."
Glimora let out a soft chirping sound that translated roughly to: "Yes, yes, your greatness is blinding."
Isabella smiled smugly.
"Ophelia!" she called out suddenly, then lowered her voice so she wouldn’t startle Shelia. "Ophelia. Quick. Bring the soup. Shelia will be starving when she wakes up. You know she eats like a grown warrior trapped in a maiden’s body."
From the hallway came Ophelia’s frantic reply. "I’m coming. Wait, wait. The herbs spilled. Isabella, why do I run like this every day? My legs are getting thinner!"
Isabella snorted softly and shook her head.
A moment later, Ophelia burst inside, breathless, holding a steaming bowl of soup that sloshed dangerously close to the rim.
"Soup, soup, soup. I got it," Ophelia announced proudly as if she had brought treasure from a forbidden mountain.
"You nearly spilled half of it," Isabella said, grabbing the bowl before a disaster occurred.
"Well, almost spilled is still not spilled," Ophelia argued, puffing her cheeks. "And I made it with extra roots, so it will make her stronger and prettier."
"She doesn’t need prettier," Isabella said, glancing at Shelia again. "When she wakes up, even the moon will feel insecure."
Ophelia giggled behind her hand and sat beside her. "We really did it. She’s back. She’s really back."
Isabella’s chest swelled with a quiet pride she tried, and failed, to hide. "Tomorrow I’m planting something new," she said casually. "So I’ll tell the men what to do. They better wake up early. If anyone yawns, I’ll throw dirt at them."
Ophelia nodded eagerly. "I’ll help too. I have never experienced planting. So i want to learn too!"
"Of course you do," Isabella teased. "You act tough, but your heart is squishier than tofu."
Before Ophelia could protest, footsteps approached the doorway.
The air shifted.
Kian stepped inside.
Tall. Regal. Sharp eyes softened by exhaustion he hid poorly. His presence filled the room like a silent wind. The lantern light reflected off his white hair, making him look like he had stepped out of a painting.
He didn’t say anything at first. He just stood there, looking at Shelia, his expression unreadable, then finally turned to Isabella.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Isabella blinked. Slowly. Then she set the soup aside and crossed her arms.
"You don’t need to thank me," she replied, lifting her chin. "Shelia is my friend too. I didn’t do it for you, all right?"
Ophelia’s eyes darted between them, sensing the strange tension in the air. She scooted back a little, smiling awkwardly, like someone who walked into her parents arguing and did not know where to run.
Kian opened his mouth again, maybe to argue, maybe to apologize for the past, but before he could speak, a soft sound broke the thick tension.
A cough.
A weak but unmistakable cough.
Ophelia jumped like she had been electrocuted. "Shelia!"
She rushed to the bedside, nearly tripping over Glimora, who flipped out of her way with a dramatic roll.
"Shelia, Shelia, are you awake?" Ophelia cried, grabbing her friend’s hand.
Outside the door, two shadows froze. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Luca and Asael, who had been pretending to guard the hallway but were actually leaning against the door like gossiping aunties, burst inside the moment they heard that tiny cough.
"With permission— princess!"
Isabella stared at them flatly.
"Amazing," she said. "You both couldn’t pretend even for one minute. Truly, your acting skills are as dry as old leaves."
Luca coughed. Asael looked away. Neither denied it.
On the bed, Shelia’s fingers twitched. Her eyelashes fluttered. Slowly, painfully slowly, she opened her eyes.
Ophelia gasped so loudly the room shook.
Shelia blinked, taking in the warm lights, the faces, the familiar scent of herbs. Her gaze drifted across the room until she saw Kian.
"Brother..." she whispered.
Kian’s breath hitched. His shoulders softened for the first time in days.
Everyone relaxed.
At that exact moment, Cyrus also stepped into the room, carrying a tray filled with more bowls and herbs. He froze when everyone turned to look at him, equally emotional.
Isabella clapped her hands together sharply.
"Stop," she ordered. "Do not crowd her like hungry chickens. At least let the girl breathe."
Everyone straightened like scolded children.
Shelia looked confused for a moment, then smiled weakly.
With Ophelia’s help, she slowly sat up. Isabella stood too, stepping close. She reached out and touched Shelia’s cheek, then her forehead, then the back of her hand.
Her eyes softened.
"She’s fine," Isabella whispered to herself. "Actually... she’s perfect."
Shelia leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Isabella’s waist. She was still weak, but her hug was full of emotion that shook Isabella’s chest.
Ophelia immediately burst into tears.
"I missed you," Ophelia sobbed dramatically. "You scared us. I thought you were gone. I already planned how to mourn you and everything."
Shelia patted her back gently. "I missed you too... please don’t mourn me while I’m still alive."
Ophelia cried even louder.
The boys awkwardly looked away.
Shelia pulled back and turned her eyes toward Isabella.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I know you saved me. I heard everything even though I couldn’t move. Thank you."
Isabella stiffened slightly, then smiled, brushing a stray hair from Shelia’s forehead. "Don’t thank me. I was just doing my duty as the local village goddess."
Everyone nodded like this was now a universal fact.
Kian lowered his head, guilt simmering in his eyes. Isabella pretended not to notice.
Shelia looked at her brother again. "Brother."
Kian’s composure melted like snow. He moved closer and touched her head gently, his voice barely above a whisper. "You scared me."
Meanwhile, Asael and Luca stood at the foot of the bed pretending to be composed. Completely failing.
Asael cleared his throat. "Princess. You are finally awake."
Shelia smiled at him. "Thank you for staying with me. I know you watched over me the entire time."
Asael’s ears turned red.
Luca opened his mouth to say something heartfelt, but Isabella beat him to it.
"Luca, why are your eyes red?" Isabella asked, lifting her brow. "Do you want to cry?"
Luca sputtered. "Isabella! You just came back and you are already bullying me?"
Cyrus, seeing chaos return to normal, exhaled softly.
"Dinner is ready," he announced from the doorway, tone gentle.
Isabella turned toward him with a mock frown. "Why are you always cooking, Cyrus?"
Cyrus looked at her like it was the most obvious truth in the universe. "Because I don’t want you to be hungry."
Isabella’s cheeks warmed instantly.
Ophelia saw it and squealed silently.
Isabella quickly snatched the soup bowl and carried it to Shelia.
"Here," she said, clearing her throat. "Soup. If you drop it, I’m taking it back."
Shelia laughed weakly.
Everyone breathed.
For the first time in days, the room felt full of life again.
