Mirabelle didn’t have a proper sense of time in this world, but she would have guessed that it took about another half hour until they finally reached the foot of the castle.

To get there, they had to pass through two more walls. Though these blended almost seamlessly into the surroundings, cause they were made of living hedges, their branches thick and sturdy, their thorns sharp and threatening.

In front of the castle entrance, on a beautiful courtyard paved with uneven stone slabs where moss grew between the cracks, a delegation was waiting.

A stunning woman with long red hair, alert fox ears, and a beauty mark beneath her left eye watched them with cunning eyes.

She wore an elegant red gown that was less extravagant than her mother’s dresses — relatively simple in design, yet perfectly accentuating her figure, especially her striking neckline, where a deep red gemstone necklace rested.

Around her stood at least twenty beastmen. Not all of them were likely her husbands. Among them were also a butler and other attendants.

Leontis stopped directly in front of her, and immediately a young man stepped forward to offer his hand and help Mirabelle down.

Normally, it was not common in the beast world for unfamiliar males to touch a female.

But at official occasions like this, among nobles, it wasn’t unusual. Especially since the beastmen she had arrived with would need to change first.

As soon as her feet touched solid ground, the woman approached her with open arms and a smile.

To Mirabelle’s surprise, she pulled her into a firm embrace.

"It is a pleasure to welcome you to Castle Rotwald, Lady Mirabelle. I have heard so much about you from your mother."

She held her at arm’s length afterward, studying her face with such intensity that it felt as if she intended to have a painting made of it later.

Mirabelle endured it all with slight discomfort.

She wasn’t used to being stared at so intensely by so many strangers.

Kaelith and Silas didn’t seem particularly pleased either.

They shifted restlessly from one paw to the other, waiting to finally be led to the rooms where they could change.

’Even more beautiful than I was told,’ she mused, her smile deepening.

Her fingers brushed lightly over a strand of Mirabelle’s hair, as if assessing something only she could see.

"You must be tired from the journey."

Mirabelle forced a polite smile.

"A little."

Hungry, she corrected herself internally.

’I’m dying from hunger.’

The fox females gaze fell on the earrings the Duchess of Luchsenstein had chosen.

Mirabelle grew more uneasy inside, but her face gave nothing away. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’Oh? It seems the Duchess has sent me a message as well.’

The tail of the High Duchess of Rotwald twitched in satisfaction.

Then the woman turned slightly, gesturing toward the castle behind her.

"We have prepared everything for your arrival. Rooms to freshen up... and, of course, the banquet will begin shortly."

Mirabelle’s ears twitched at the last word.

Finally.

"That sounds perfect," she said, perhaps a little too quickly.

The fox woman noticed.

Of course she did.

A knowing smile curved her lips.

"I had a feeling you would appreciate that."

Her gaze shifted briefly — past Mirabelle, toward the two males behind her.

Something calculating flickered in her expression, gone just as quickly.

"We will speak more later. I would like to get to know you properly."

Then she beckoned to a sparrow beast, who hurried over at once.

"I will lead you to the changing rooms now," he said, addressing the beastmen.

Finally, Kaelith thought. He had felt like they would have to wait forever.

Silas, too, was growing impatient.

’About time.’

He didn’t like the way the fox woman had looked at Mirabelle.

"Let’s speak after the banquet," the fox woman continued smoothly, as if she hadn’t noticed how restless the males from Zasar had become. Her eyes were sharp.

She stepped aside gracefully.

"Please. Make yourself at home."

Mirabelle didn’t need to be told twice.

_____

The room was a dream.

More and more, Mirabelle felt like she was in some kind of elven palace.

A branch grew through her room — or rather, a smaller part of a large branch emerged from the floor, creating a natural separation between a sleeping area and something like a living space with sofas, a desk, and a vanity.

Small steps had been built into the branch to allow one to cross over, and if you followed it, you could step outside.

There, a kind of balcony with seating had been constructed.

Fireflies drifted through the room and outside as well, casting a soft, almost bluish light.

For a long time, Mirabelle simply stood there, lost in the magical sight.

After a quick visit to the bathroom to freshen up, she sat down at the vanity.

It was fully equipped — with everything she might possibly need.

Tara’s hairstyling skills were impressive.

It barely looked like she had traveled for half a day.

Only a single curl had come loose, now framing the spot where her human ears once had been.

After a moment’s thought, she left it as it was.

Wasn’t beauty found in imperfection?

The makeup looked flawless.

Still, she dabbed a bit more color onto her lips to balance the bold golden patterns around her eyes.

Then she stood and looked at herself in a full-length mirror.

The dress had not a single crease or speck of dust.

Snakeskin was truly remarkable.

In the light of the fireflies, it shimmered even more beautifully.

As she watched the glowing insects, an idea came to her.

She stretched out her hand again.

She hadn’t expected it to work — but the small creatures seemed drawn to her.

Several of them landed on her hand.

Carefully, she brought them closer to her face to study them.

They looked almost cute.

Gently, she lifted a finger and stroked one of them.

It wobbled beneath her touch, as if it liked it.

A faint bluish dust shimmered on her skin.

With a grin, she brushed it onto the inner corners of her eyes, then beneath her brows.

She dabbed some onto her cheeks and along the curve of her upper lip.

’Glowing highlighter... the modern world would lose its mind.’

Lastly, she spread the remaining shimmer across her shoulders, so that it would only catch the light at certain angles.

After a moment’s thought, she did the same along her back.

’Impressive how flexible this body is.’

The fireflies drifted back into the air, joining the others.

The lynx female slowly turned in front of the mirror.

The queen wanted her to leave a lasting impression on the beastmen of Zasar?

She would get exactly that.

A/N: This time a slightly longer Chapter — thank you for experiencing this story with me. ♡ The next scene will be hot (≧◡≦)

And thank you so much for the power stones. At this point, I’m basically living off them... and oatmeal (￣ω￣;)