The Spoilt Beauty And Her Beasts-Chapter 573: I was born this perfect

Everyone was happy that Shelia was finally back.

Inside the newly built stone dining hall, warmth filled the air. The room smelled of roasted meat, steamed roots, and fragrant herbs.

Cyrus had spent the entire afternoon preparing everything, and it showed. The hall was spacious, lined with smooth stone benches and a long table he had carved himself. The fire pit glowed in its center, sending flickers of orange light across everyone’s faces.

Isabella stepped inside and froze.

"This wasn’t here when I left," she whispered.

Cyrus looked away, pretending to serve stew so she wouldn’t see his shy smile. "You said we needed a proper place to eat. I remembered."

Isabella twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, impressed. "Remembered? Cyrus, you built a whole dining hall in one month. Are you trying to make me cry?"

Ophelia giggled behind her. "Make her cry with happiness next time. She already cried this month."

Isabella shot her a look, then laughed.

Everyone took their seats. Cyrus sat next to Isabella, naturally. Kian sat on her other side, quiet as usual. Luca, Valen, and Asael filled the far end with their usual cool but observant energy. Zyran slid into a seat like a fox ready to pounce on trouble. Osiris sat awkwardly at the corner, still new, still unsure of his place among these beasts.

And Shelia, freshly awakened, sat between Ophelia and Asael, wrapped in a warm fur cloak so she wouldn’t catch the night chill.

The fire crackled. The hall was filled with relief.

Food was served.

Isabella leaned toward Cyrus and pointed. "Eat more."

She scooped a generous piece of meat onto his plate. Cyrus looked at it, then at her, then at the plate again. His ears turned pink.

"I will," he said softly.

Isabella grinned and leaned forward to kiss his cheek.

Zyran dropped his cup.

Everyone paused.

"Why so dramatic?" Isabella asked with a brow raise.

Zyran tossed his hair back, recovering quickly. "I also want some food."

Cyrus stared at him. "Then take some."

"I don’t want the food," Zyran said calmly. "I want what came after the food."

Isabella nearly choked. "No. Absolutely not. No."

"I never said anything about kisses," Zyran replied with a smirk. "Very interesting that your mind went there."

Isabella slammed her spoon down. "Get out."

The table erupted in laughter. Even Kian let out a tiny breath of amusement, which for him was the equivalent of rolling on the floor.

Isabella sighed and rubbed her temples. "Why are you like this?"

"It is natural charm," Zyran answered proudly. "I was born this perfect."

Osiris, who had been trying to seem invisible, blinked at the chaos. He looked from Zyran to Isabella, unsure if he should laugh or hide.

Isabella noticed him then. The way his shoulders curled. The way he stared at his plate. The way he didn’t know how to fit in yet.

Her expression softened.

"Osiris," she said gently. "Eat more. You barely touched anything."

Osiris perked immediately, eyes brightening. "Really? Thank you."

He lifted his bowl slightly as if offering it to her.

But before Isabella could move, a hand blurred in front of her.

Zyran.

Fast as lightning, he dropped a heap of meat into Osiris’s bowl.

Osiris blinked. "Uh... thank you?"

Zyran leaned forward with a cold smile. "If you need anything, you can tell me. Or you can use your hands and put it yourself. Your hands work just fine."

Osiris froze.

Isabella smacked her forehead. "Zyran, leave him alone."

Zyran shrugged. "I helped him. See? I am kind."

"You are petty," Isabella said.

"I am both," Zyran corrected.

Meanwhile, Ophelia had been chattering for five minutes straight, her hands flying everywhere as Valen calmly fed her spoonfuls of soup between her sentences. The man looked like he was tending to a sacred treasure.

Shelia blinked at them. "I was only paralyzed for a short time. How do we already have new faces in this village?"

Ophelia brightened instantly. "Oh! Right. This is Valen. He is my mate. He’s so sweet to me."

Shelia paused.

Her expression said: I am processing. I am confused. I am protective. But I am also happy. But also confused again.

She turned to Isabella, silently asking if this was proper, safe, acceptable.

Isabella nodded with full approval. "Yes. He’s a good one."

Shelia softened. "Then I am happy for you."

Valen bowed his head politely. "Princess."

The conversations continued, overlapping and lively. The fire crackled, sparks floating upward like golden insects. Laughter bounced along the stone walls.

Something felt different tonight.

A good different.

Isabella noticed it. The men weren’t glaring knives at each other like usual. Cyrus passed Kian a bowl. Luca didn’t tense when Asael reached for something behind him. Even Zyran toned down his hostile staring, only glaring at Osiris occasionally.

It was peaceful, warm, almost harmonious.

Almost.

Cyrus glanced at Isabella again. "Eat more," he said softly, sliding a plate toward her.

Before she could respond, Kian added quietly, "You worked hard today. You should not skip meals."

Then Osiris pushed another dish toward her with a calm nod. Zyran followed after "Well it is the truth, eat more so you will fatten up"

Isabella looked at the pile of food stacking before her.

Ophelia burst into giggles. "Why do they look like they are feeding a little chick?"

"I am not a chick," Isabella muttered, cheeks warming. "Stop teasing me."

Shelia smiled weakly. "But they are all watching you like you are."

Kian looked away. Cyrus pretended not to hear. Zyran smirked knowingly. Osiris looked curious. Valen simply continued feeding Ophelia, unbothered by the competition.

Ophelia slammed her bowl down suddenly. "Isabella, how many things did you bring back? I am so excited to see everything. Are there new seeds? New herbs? Maybe more glowing stones?"

Isabella held up a hand. "Calm down. Go to sleep first. Tomorrow is a new day. You can scream at everything tomorrow."

Ophelia pouted dramatically. "But I want to scream tonight."

"And wake the whole village? No," Isabella scolded gently.

Shelia leaned back, watching everyone with glowing eyes. "It feels good to be alive again."

Isabella reached over and squeezed her hand. "You better stay alive. I am too tired to revive you again."

Shelia laughed. "I will try."

Conversation drifted. Food passed around. The fire dimmed into a gentle glow.

Finally, Zyran stretched his arms over his head with a loud groan. "I am full. And I am sleepy."

Osiris murmured, "You ate twice my portion."

"That is because I am twice your greatness," Zyran replied confidently.

Isabella tossed a fruit at his head. He dodged with a grin.

Cyrus gathered the bowls. Valen lifted Ophelia like she weighed nothing. Asael helped Shelia stand. Luca yawned so wide Ophelia teased him for being an old grandpa.

The night ended with soft laughter echoing across the stone walls.

As they all stepped out into the cool night air, Isabella looked at her village, her friends, her men, her future.

Everything felt warm.

Everything felt right.

And as usual, Zyran ruined the moment.

"Isabella," he said, poking her cheek, "if you want to kiss someone again tonight, I volunteer."

She shoved him into the dirt.

Everyone else laughed.

The village slept under a peaceful moon.

And Isabella smiled softly to herself, already thinking of tomorrow.