Mija pitched in from behind Numia. "A stinky, not so hot mess."

While Numia did not care for Lady Cadelaria’s opinions, she cared for Numia’s, because there was still hope for her son marrying into the white snake tribe. She changed in the snap of a finger, smiling politely. "Princeeessss, I am sorry you had to see me like this. I will go and shower right now."

She flew off with the same speed she had used to come over to confront Sienna.

"I never thought the white snake would be useful." Mrs. Miller said. She nodded at Mija. "You are on Numia duty for as long as you live here. Keep that crazy woman away from my daughter."

Corven Junior scratched the back of his head. "Sorry," he muttered.

Many people groaned.

"How many times must I tell you not to apologize for your mother?" Sienna asked him.

Soren pulled he boy down, "Hurry up and finish your food, we have to help our uncles decorate the store sister is opening in the local beach hub. Why focus on things that are out of your control?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Grandpa Corven shot a glare at his son meanwhile. Christo blushed, and flew off, following after his wife. Even then, the man knew talking to his wife and telling her to get her head on straight was a waste of time. Numia was too headstrong!

As for the divorce his mother proposed, it was too complicated. Christo always looked sad when the issue was raised. Besides, Numia may have been loud and ambitious, but she was a good wife and mother. In a way, her advantages cancelled out her faults.

If only Numia could keep in mind that they were guests on Sienna’s property. They were not even permanent residents in this city just yet. So, why offend their hosts?

While Christo was thinking of how to make his wife change for the better, Lady Cadelaria was thinking of how hateful the Rocland’s were. The old woman Byra had almost made her choke on a pastry.

Earlier that day, Linera had ’accidentally’ clawed her on the shoulder and apologized weakly. They both knew it was revenge for what had happened with Sienna yesterday.

Now, this Numia had disrespected her!

Sienna’s whole family was hateful.

"Kids, your dad is calling." Sienna announced.

Ali and Eli squealed, following their mom to a spot under a tree for privacy.

Lady Cadelaria’s body became as stiff as a rod. Elias was hateful too. Since he left for his business meeting, he had not called her once. He could have called Liman or anyone else, to talk to the children. Why call Sienna? And why was Sienna laughing as if she was being tickled? Elias was not that funny!

Unaware of her mother-in-law’s thoughts, Sienna was laughing loudly without a care.

***

That evening, as Sienna was counting her remaining pan inventory after a successful sale by Mija, a couple arrived at the gates of the compound. The guards ushered them in after a few questions, their faces grim. The woman’s clothes were bloody and torn. Her body was trembling. Most shocking, the biggest part of her tail was torn!

Sienna was summoned, and she came quickly to the front yard near the gate. Her eyes could not believe it when she saw the tail. She knew what tails meant to beast men. They were more than flesh, they were pride, lineage, power. Losing one was like losing one’s soul.

Fifty percent of the foxes were single tailed, and this beast woman was one of those. It was not hard to see why she was broken.

Beside the woman was her husband, stiff and cold were he stood. He was keeping a deliberate distance between them.

"What happened?" Sienna asked Liman.

Liman pointed to the woman. "This is Mrs. Nan Stykes, she went hunting with her husband Mr. River Stykes. Her tail was severed during the hunt."

"I took a blow for him," Mrs. Stykes cried out, "and now he is demanding a divorce."

Sienna was shocked.

"She is crippled." Mr. Stykes declared.

Sienna sat down on a wooden bench, wondering why this matter had been brought before her. Was it because the matriarch of the fox clan could mediate all interpersonal conflicts before legal authorities were invited in? But, they had never come to her before. All issues like this were handled by her mother-in-law. "Are you here to see Lady Cadelaria?" She asked.

Mrs. Stykes shook her head. her straight black hair flying in the wind. "I came to see you because you are the current matriarch. You hosted the summit. This means Lord Elias has recognized you and so has the royal family." Her eyes burned with fury. "I saved his life! And now he wants to discard me like a broken tool. I demand justice!"

Sienna straightened her back. The weight of responsibility pushing her shoulders down. "Justice?" She repeated, voice low. "I don’t know what kind of justice you want but I will do my best to give it to you."

Lady Cadelaria arrived, ready to butt in. But, Mrs. Miller got in her way, puffing her chest to force the woman back. "What are you trying to do? They came to see my daughter, not you. Out with the old, in with the new."

Lady Cadelaria’s rage simmered. She glared at Mrs. Miller, clenched a fist and marched off in search of her husband.

The wounded Mrs. Stykes knelt, tears streaking her cheeks. "Matriarch, I gave everything for him. My youth, my tail, my dignity. I gave him six children. He should be punished for betrayal. I cannot swallow this anger."

Mr. Stykes sneered. "I am not betraying her, I am just making a decision that will be good for me and my children. She is useless now. A fox without a tail is no fox at all. Even a human is better."

Sienna’s anger boiled. She slammed her hand on the bench, the sound echoing like thunder. "A fox without loyalty to his own kin is worse than a senseless beast in the forest. A husband without loyalty to his wife is worthless. She took a blow for you! She lost her tail for you. After so many years of being married, have you no love for her at all?"

Mrs. Stykes remained impassive. "I stand with my desire for the divorce. I would rather be called unfaithful and worthless than live in humiliation with something that is neither beast man nor human."

The air seemed to fall silent. Even the murmurs from the guards died down.