Chapter 188: I Didn’t know
Zane~
The moment Jacob arrived, the room seemed to hold its breath. He looked mildly amused, as if walking into chaos was his daily entertainment. His brothers flanked him—Tiger, ever silent but commanding with his earthen strength; Eagle, silver eyes dancing like wind-blown flames; Fox, red-haired and mischievous, already grinning like a fox in a henhouse; and Bubble, light and gleaming, twinkling with mischief. They stood like gods amongst mortals, and the murmurs in the court grew into a hum of awe and dread.
I stood still, arms still around Natalie, watching Jacob with careful eyes. He strolled forward like this was all some grand, slightly irritating joke. The court parted for him as though the floor itself bowed to his presence. He didn’t look at the king. He didn’t even glance at me.
He walked straight up to Natalie, who now wore a proud, dangerous smirk that had Red howling in satisfaction inside me.
Jacob arched an eyebrow. "Really, sister?" His voice carried through the silence like silk drawn over steel. "A barrier? Around the entire palace? That wasn’t very nice of you. Poor Tiger almost walked into a wall."
Natalie shrugged, folding her arms. "If it stopped you even for five seconds, then I’m calling it a win." She tilted her head playfully. "Though... clearly, the barrier wasn’t strong enough. Seeing as you all waltzed right through it."
Jacob chuckled, and the sound was like a breeze in a burning field—gentle, but ready to erupt into fire. "Of course we made it through. I’m Mist, little moon. No barrier can hold me." He winked, and the court gasped as if the ancient name still echoed in their bones.
Then Jacob’s eyes finally flicked toward my father, still dangling in the air, mouth agape and face turning a rich shade of violet. He didn’t flinch. Instead, he sighed dramatically.
"Little moon, do be a dear and release him," Jacob said, casually examining his nails. "It’s honestly embarrassing for a monarch to dangle like a worm in front of his people."