CHAPTER 303: DISAGREEMENT

With Coco finding out what the rookie with guns looked like, she couldn’t help, but feel excited.

"Don’t give me that look." Sinclair said, eyeing Coco with a wary gaze as he shifted in his seat, leaning closer to his husband.

"What look?" Coco blinked, tilting her head.

"The look that makes you look so cute, that makes me want to give in." Sinclair grumbled, "But I can’t give in right now because the mediator you just spoke of is off limits."

"Off limits?" Coco mumbled, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes..?" Sinclair answered as he shared a look with Alithe, "He will be getting married to Duchess Dilitiriodix next month."

"Wait, wait, wait, wait—" Coco straightened up and stared blankly towards the married couple, "Did you two think that I was eyeing him because I was interested? I mean, I am, but not that way!"

Coco looked offended, her face contorting into a frown as she realized that the couple believed she was interested in another mediator.

"Me? Interested in him? Don’t be ridiculous." She protested, her voice was filled with contempt, her tone sharp as she denied the accusation.

Her eyes met theirs, a hint of offense in her gaze, and shook her head in emphasis, her expression stubborn. "I am not interested in anyone. I’m already busy enough as is, I don’t have time for another spouse."

Sinclair blinked, taken aback by her reaction.

A feeling of embarrassment washed over him, the realization of their assumption now obvious.

He could feel the heat rising on his cheeks as he realized how they had misconstrued her actions earlier, immediately jumping into conclusion.

He averted his gaze, the intensity of Coco’s reaction catching him off guard. "I’m sorry."

"It’s just that.. You’re getting a license, have enough money, have a dream for you and your other husbands— you already fit the requirements to have a fifth husband." Alithe stated, his voice holding a matter-of-fact tone.

"In fact, sure— go and look for a suitable fifth spouse because we don’t mind if you want to have another mediator as your spouse, I would even sponsor the wedding, but just choose a mediator who’s not betrothed to another." Alithe added to his previous statement.

However, Sinclair shook his head and disagreed.

"No." The hybrid’s disagreement was loud and firm as he placed a hand on Alithe’s thigh before squeezing hard. "Coco cannot look for another mediator unless she has the other four’s permission to get one."

Alithe felt a sharp pain as Sinclair’s hand gripped his thigh tighter, the unexpected action catching him off guard.

He flinched his body tensing at the sudden, bone-bruising grip, as a hint of surprise flickered across his face, the pain apparent in his expression.

His gaze flickered momentarily towards his husband, silently questioning the reason for the intensity of his touch.

Sinclair only sent a firm glare towards the other hybrid, his disapproval clear in his expression, his gaze held a hint of anger and annoyance, his features hardening at the comment he had made towards Coco.

The message was clear— he did not appreciate his words or any other implications he may have made.

With Sinclair’s glare, the atmosphere in the carriage easily grew tense, the air heavy with the verbal disagreement between the two.

"I’m sorry." Alithe mumbled, apologizing with a small, meek voice.

After Alithe apologized, Sinclair mumbled a firm response, his voice low and stern, his tone sharp and free of gentleness he usually uses towards his husband.

"You better be." He said, his gaze remained fixated on Alithe, his expression sharp.

The tension was noticeable in the cramped space, the air filled with unspoken words and lingering frustrations.

Coco could feel the underlying tension between the married couple, her own discomfort growing in the stifling atmosphere.

She can’t help, but feel bad towards Alithe even though she knew that what he said was disrespectful.

Coco cleared her throat, catching their attention. "It’s okay, Sinclair. Though, what he said was disrespectful towards my husbands, it would be slightly unfair to be so hard on him."

"Yes, but—"

"Not in front of me at least." Coco quickly said, cutting Sinclair off with a small stiff smile.

Sinclair paused, blinking rapidly.

He slowly picked up the implication of Coco’s words and solemnly nodded his head to let her know that he understood, his red eyes dropping away from her to the floor of the wooden vehicle.

"I’m sorry, master." Sinclair apologized, his grip on Alithe’s thigh loosening. "I’m so sorry, my dear."

The tension in the air lifted slightly as he acknowledged his own short temper, his apology an unexpected, but welcomed gesture.

Alithe let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh of relief as the tension in his muscles eased, the pain of the earlier grip slowly fading away.

Coco exhaled softly, a hint of exhaustion in her tone. "Thank goodness.."

She felt relieved as the rough atmosphere in the carriage lessened, the atmosphere growing somewhat more bearable than before.

The sight of the married couple’s argument slowly subsiding was a pleasing sight for her, and she felt herself relaxing, the tight knot in her chest finally loosening, and as she let out a sigh, she leaned her head back against the seat, her body going slightly limp, her muscles relaxing.

Coco looked away from the hybrids, her gaze shifting out the window.

Her attention was caught by the sight of the city outside and her expression changed as she took in the surroundings— a wide range of stores, including clothing stores, lined the streets, each one showcasing new and stylish outfits.

The sight of the clothing stores energized her, her mood lightening as she peered out the window, taking in the various stores they pass by.

Coco’s excitement was evident in her voice as she turned to Alithe and Sinclair, her gaze expectant, her gaze flicking from one hybrid to another. "Where are we going?"

Sinclair responded with a small smile, amusement flickering in his eyes at her excitement.

"Shopping."