Chapter 54: Ch 54. Briella’s Explanation 1

Selena narrowed her eyes at the accusation. Meanwhile, Stoner immediately lifted his head and stood tall, as if to defend his dignity as King.

Jhon narrowed his eyes in disbelief, then stepped inside. "I saw you stroking his head as he rested it on your lap. Since when have you two been so close?" he asked, then stopped in his tracks as he drew near.

"Who’s close to her? I was just listening to her problems so I’d know what I could do to help her," Selena retorted, causing John to look away.

He glared at Stoner, who was standing tall. "Then why did you go so far as to rest your head on the Queen’s lap, Wolf King?" he asked Stoner, who immediately gave a small smile.

"It was just a gesture of gratitude—even though I used to be a jerk, the Queen was still willing to forgive me," Stoner said calmly. "Besides, why does it bother you so much? Selena is my wife too; even if I kissed her right in front of you, there’s nothing wrong with that."

Selena glared at Stoner, making him wince as he realized it. Meanwhile, Jhon glanced at Selena, who had gone back to enjoying the food that Stoner had apparently brought.

"What brought you here?" Selena asked without looking at him. "Who else besides the two of you is going to come here?"

Jhon snatched Stoner’s chair, sitting down first while Stoner snorted silently.

He chose to sit in another chair, watching Jhon as he ordered his men to set down a heavy-looking wooden crate.

"There’s a rare Phoenix pearl that I’ve kept for a long time—a tribute from the Heavenly Phoenix clan. I’m giving you a chest of those rare Phoenix pearls as a token of my gratitude for healing me last night," Jhon said earnestly.

Selena furrowed her brow. "Does it sound like something valuable? What’s its worth here?"

"It’s worth more than gold, and its price is also very high because it’s so rare. Unlike gold, which is widely available and can be owned by anyone, these Celestial Phoenix Pearls are only possessed by the Phoenix Clan and a select few," said Jhon proudly.

"Hmm, it doesn’t sound all that impressive compared to your Golden Feather," Stoner commented, causing Jhon to look at him. "I’ve heard that the Phoenix King’s Golden Feather is the most valuable item in the Phoenix clan. Why didn’t you give that to Selena instead?"

Jhon shook his head. "It’s not that I don’t want to, but that item is part of the Phoenix’s primary weapon—including mine. It’s our source of light and energy—it can strike an opponent in battle. If I remove it, I’ll die," he said seriously, causing Stoner to click his tongue.

"Excuses."

"You don’t understand—you’d better just keep quiet," snapped Jhon, glaring at him. "What exactly have you given Selena that gives you the right to comment on my gift?"

Stoner fell silent for a moment. "I’m thinking about it."

Jhon clicked his tongue in turn, as if mocking him. "You actually think you’re better than me, even though you haven’t given anything," he said derisively. "At least I’m one level ahead of you!"

Stoner rolled his eyes listlessly, knowing that Jhon was indeed annoying when it came to arrogance and taunts. They were cut from the same cloth, but Jhon was a Phoenix—a species renowned for its arrogance in the Beast world.

When Stoner stopped responding and taunting him, Jhon turned his attention back to Selena.

"I’ll try to give you precious things that will please you, Selena. I hope you’ll accept this pearl—it’s a treasured heirloom of the Phoenix clan. After this, I’ll find you other precious items," he said softly, causing Selena to sigh.

Selena finished her meal, then accepted a napkin from Vee, who had been standing between them the whole time.

"I don’t care what’s most valuable and what isn’t; what matters is that the items you give me are treasures I can use as a means of exchange," said Selena, making Jhon smile broadly.

"Of course, these are extremely valuable and can be used as a medium of exchange throughout all of Eldoria," John said earnestly.

Selena stood up and walked over to the chest, looking at the shiny red Phoenix pearls. This made her smile; she picked up a few and gently ran her fingers over them.

"Quite nice. Vee, have Kev take it to the storeroom. After this, I’ll go see Briella," said Selena, causing Vee to nod and immediately head out to call Selena’s bear servant.

"My Queen, I accidentally overheard Coxy earlier. Is it true that you incapacitated Briella?" asked John, looking at Selena, who had already turned away.

"Yes," Selena replied with a relaxed smile, while Jhon and Stoner swallowed hard almost simultaneously. "She injured my bodyguard with poison, then mocked and insulted me. So she deserved it. Besides, I can heal her back to normal—it just depends on whether she’s willing to cooperate and explain to me why she caused all that damage."

"Damage?"

Selena let out a heavy sigh, then sat back down. Stoner handed her another serving of food, trying to lift Selena’s spirits, which seemed to have turned sour again.

"That girl has gathered the members of the Fox clan and turned them into monsters, and I’ve also received reports about this at the Court Council. The members of the Council of Justice are lethargic, weak, often daydreaming and falling asleep on the job. That’s also one of the effects of the narcotic powder she created."

"So there’s a possibility she’s already infiltrated the Council of Justice, which is why she knows some of the plans the Council has for you all," said Selena, causing John and Stoner to exchange glances.

"She’s capable of poisoning rhinos and bulls?"

"Not to mention that—she was even able to control the Old Fox King and get that man to poison his own son. I don’t know if this is actually her doing or not, but the Fox King said she’s often seen in the area where the Fox clan was turned into monsters. That means she’s definitely involved in this matter, and I’m sure it’s worse than I thought," she said seriously.

"That makes sense—no wonder she’s so stubborn; deep down, she wants to do something truly monumental. Does she want to split Eldoria in two and drown all the Beasts? Why does she sound so crazy..."

Selena shook her head, unsure; she hadn’t asked yet and didn’t know the full answer.

"I’ll go there and ask her first; relying on this Phoenix King will also be difficult. I have to rely on myself—that way, I’ll get another perspective on this issue," Selena replied, then stood up.

She glanced at her two husbands, who were watching her, then gave a wry smile. "I’m leaving now. Once you’re done with your date, you can clean up this table and leave my room," she said, then walked away.

Jhon looked at Stoner—both of them had their eyes wide—before they finally jumped to their feet.

"Hey, help me clean up this table!" Stoner shouted as Jhon walked off without a word.

"I didn’t bring any food—you brought it yourself, Wolf King. Why should I help you?" he said casually, making Stoner click his tongue loudly.

"Derk!" Stoner called, causing his personal assistant, who was outside, to rush in.

"Your Majesty?"

"Clean up this table; I want to keep Selena company."

"Yes, leave it to me."

Stoner hurried off, but then he stopped and looked at Derk, who had begun tidying up the table.

"Summon all the Wolf Clan’s best spies; tell them to wait for me at the palace. There’s a task they need to carry out," Stoner said, causing Derk to turn and nod obediently.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Without waiting any longer, Stoner dashed off. Derk blinked once and smiled before returning to tidying up Selena’s table.

***

Selena sat haughtily in Briella’s detention room, with Jhon and Stoner flanking her on either side, following her like chicks following their mother.

Before them, Briella—unable to sit properly—lay there, looking weak. She stared at Selena and the two Beast Kings flanking her, not to mention the bear guards behind Selena, one of whom she had nearly killed earlier.

"Your explanation today will determine whether you live or die," Selena said, leaning back casually as she looked at Briella.

"If I tell the truth, will you grant me justice?" Briella asked hesitantly, causing Selena to raise an eyebrow.

"Of course, if you’re actually in the right. I am a wise Queen; you’d better tell your story well so that I’m moved," she replied, causing Stoner and John to exchange glances.

It was true, Stoner admitted. Selena immediately told him the name of the plant that could serve as a cure as soon as Stoner finished explaining his problem.

"My name is Briella; I’m the last remaining youngest daughter of one of the great families of the former Fox clan," said Briella hesitantly, looking at Selena, who had begun to listen. "My family used to be incredibly wealthy and prosperous. My father was one of the men closest to the Old Fox King—you could even say he was the Old Fox King’s best friend, since he held the position of Minister and Advisor to the King."

"Everything was going well and normally at first; for years, my father and the Old Fox King were friends and helped each other manage the Fox Clan. Until finally, that catastrophe struck—my family was slaughtered to the last person. I was the only one left because my mother had entrusted me to another Fox family before the night of the massacre."

Selena furrowed her brow in disbelief, but she asked anyway.

"Are you the daughter of a high-ranking member of the Fox clan who was slaughtered back then?"

"Yes, I want to take revenge on the Old Fox King and his family. Including everyone who brutally murdered my family..."