Chapter 256 - 257: Goddess Isabella!
Isabella rolled her eyes at the painfully familiar voice. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was—but of course, she did, if only to confirm the nightmare.
Garan.
The moment she turned, there he was, gliding toward her like the sun was hired to light only his path. His bronze skin glistened in the daylight like he bathed in melted gold, and as usual, he wore far too little clothing for a man so loud. Just a hide skirt that barely reached his knees, and two flamboyant bursts of colorful feathers strapped to each shoulder like he was attending a bird-themed royal wedding.
But that wasn’t the worst part.
Trailing behind him like the beginning of a parade were a group of women, each dressed in modest wraps, their arms stretched out carefully, balancing the most luxurious fur hides Isabella had ever seen. Glossy, rare, thick with quality. These weren’t your average beast skins. These were the kind you hang on cave walls when you’re trying to flex on the entire tribe.
Isabella scoffed internally.
Of course.
Because if there was one thing Garan loved more than himself, it was making sure everyone else was forced to love him too.
"Goddess Isabella!" Garan announced, voice booming with a smile so self-satisfied it could’ve fed three starving men. He spread his arms out like a priest at the altar.
Behind her, the guards all perked up, some standing straighter, others clearly holding back grins. One even took a dried meat strip from his pouch and started chewing as he settled in for the show.
Isabella didn’t even blink.
"What is it?" she asked with a smile that could curdle goat’s milk. It wasn’t friendly. It wasn’t warm. It was the kind of smile that said, I’ve survived worse than you, and I’m not impressed.