The Spoilt Beauty And Her Beasts-Chapter 545: You do not have to insult me every time you speak

Chapter 545: Chapter 545: You do not have to insult me every time you speak

The moment Isabella declared that she was "coming for Shelia," she marched straight ahead like a woman possessed, shoulders pinned with determination, her magical map glowing faintly in her hand. The lines on it shifted and rearranged themselves, creating a path that curved in soft blue light toward the upper tiers of the mountain.

Osiris didn’t understand that level of resolve.

Mostly because he didn’t understand anything.

He stared at her for a long second, watching the way her brows tightened and her lips pressed together in a thin line. Her mood had changed. Sharply. Sudden seriousness. A heaviness beneath her tone.

And quietly, behind her back, Osiris thought,

This person must be really important to her.

He didn’t say it out loud.

Of course not.

He wasn’t stupid enough to let Isabella know he had functioning emotions.

He only scratched his cheek awkwardly while Glimora perched on Isabella’s shoulder like a fuzzy guardian, her big round eyes glowing with deep loyalty. She patted Isabella’s hair with her tiny paws, trying to comfort her.

Osiris swallowed.

He hoped she would succeed.

He hoped she would complete every task she needed for this mysterious important person, even if Isabella would never thank him for helping. Even if she kept treating him like a cursed mosquito buzzing near her ear.

But he walked after her anyway.

The climb to the summit started with a narrow stone path twisting upward through thick trees whose trunks glittered faintly from residual night energy. Branches curled overhead like fingers trying to grab travelers, but Isabella swatted one with her fan the moment it moved suspiciously.

"Behave," she hissed at the tree.

The tree rustled as if offended.

Osiris sighed. "You’re fighting plants again."

"I will fight everything on this mountain," Isabella snapped without looking back. "Including you."

"Why me."

"Because you breathe stupid."

Osiris blinked, offended. "I breathe normally."

"That is the problem."

Glimora chirped in agreement and patted Osiris’ cheek gently, like, yes you are stupid uncle, but we tolerate you.

The forest grew denser the higher they climbed. Fog curled around their legs. The air hummed with latent magic. Strange glowing insects drifted around them like floating embers, casting soft light on the path. The higher they climbed, the colder the wind grew, brushing against Isabella’s skin like icy fingers.

She pulled her thin cloak tighter.

Osiris noticed.

He opened his mouth.

He closed it.

He wanted to offer his warmth, but he imagined Isabella throwing him off the cliff, so he decided he cherished his life too much. He followed behind her quietly, watching her steps, careful to move any dangerous vines and stones out of her way before she could trip.

He did it discreetly.

She never noticed.

Which was probably good for his safety.

After an hour of climbing and bickering, the trees thinned out, revealing a clearing soaked in faint golden light. The early morning glow made the frost on the leaves sparkle like crushed crystals.

Isabella’s breath fogged out.

Osiris glanced around. "Why is it so cold here."

"It is a mountain, genius."

"You do not have to insult me every time you speak."

"I do, actually. It is in my contract."

"You do not have a contract."

"Exactly."

Osiris stared at her, confused and defeated, while Glimora yawned dramatically to show them both she was tired of their stupidity.

Then the smell hit them.

Iron.

Rot.

Thick, metallic.

Isabella froze instantly.

Osiris stepped forward in front of her without thinking.

Glimora’s fur puffed up like she was about to turn into a tiny battle demon.

Ahead, something moved.

Something... eating.

They hid behind a massive stone and peeked around it.

There they were.

Dark hour creatures.

Even though the dark hour had already passed.

Their bodies looked like wolves made entirely of shadows, but with elongated limbs and glowing eyes that reflected hunger. Their jaws were deep and wide, tearing viciously at the corpse of some large beast. Flesh and organs spilled across the ground. The ripping sound echoed wetly.

Isabella clamped her hand over her mouth before she gagged.

Osiris stayed perfectly still.

For once, his stupidity took a break and let intelligence drive.

He leaned down to whisper, "We cannot make noise."

Isabella slowly nodded, her face pale but steady.

Glimora clung to Isabella’s collar with trembling paws.

The creatures snarled and ripped the ribs from the corpse with disturbing ease.

They had to wait.

Minute after minute passed.

The mountain wind whispered through the clearing.

Isabella’s legs grew numb from crouching.

Osiris watched the shadows carefully, every muscle tense, prepared to shield Isabella the moment something went wrong.

Finally, Isabella whispered, very quietly, "We cannot stay here the whole day."

Osiris gave her a look that said, respectfully, are you insane.

She ignored him.

She took a deep breath.

"Glimora," she whispered. "You stay behind me."

Glimora nodded like a tiny warrior.

Osiris whispered sharply, "Do not even think of doing something stupid."

Isabella whispered back, "I specialize in stupid."

She reached into her space, brought out a smooth stone, and threw it far across the clearing.

It hit a tree with a loud crack.

The creatures’ heads snapped toward the sound.

Then they sprinted after it.

Isabella jumped to her feet. "Run."

Osiris grabbed her wrist and practically dragged her as they bolted across the clearing.

Glimora clung to Isabella’s shoulder, screaming aggressively at the world.

They sprinted uphill, dodging rocks, weaving around trees, jumping over fallen logs. Their breathing came out in sharp bursts. The cold burned their lungs.

Behind them, the shadow creatures were chasing the wrong direction.

They made it.

They escaped.

They slowed only when they reached another steep path winding upward like a stone spine toward the clouds.

Isabella bent down, hands on her knees, breathing hard. "I am... so tired."

Osiris stood beside her, hands on his hips, not even winded because he was built like a god who had gotten bored and decided to cosplay as a human.

He glanced at her.

A tiny hint of admiration flickered through his gaze before he buried it deep under his usual nonsense.

"That was reckless," he said.

"That worked," she snapped back.

"You could have died."

"You could also die. But here we are. Alive. Sadly."

Osiris stared at her, face unreadable.

Then he smirked.

"You are short."

"That is not relevant to the conversation."

"You looked very small when you were running."

"I hope a bird poops on you from above."

Osiris shrugged. "It would miss. I am too handsome. Heaven would not disrespect me."

Glimora squeaked loudly like, uncle please shut up.

Isabella glared at him so hard her eye twitched.

They continued climbing.

Higher.

Higher.

The air grew thinner and colder. The path narrowed until it was barely wide enough for two feet. Glimora had to grip Isabella’s sleeve tightly to avoid slipping.

Skyflowers began appearing.

Tall, pale blue petals glowing faintly, leaning toward the wind.

Their stems hummed with quiet magic.

When Isabella’s map finally flashed with a bright green glow, she exhaled in relief so deep her shoulders sagged.

"We are here," she whispered.

Osiris studied her softening expression.

She looked tired.

Determined.

Worried.

But above all, hopeful.

He quietly hoped her hope would not break.

The summit stretched before them like a hidden world. A wide, flat expanse covered in glowing flowers, surrounded by floating rocks and shimmering winds that bent light in strange ways. The sky here looked closer. Brighter. Almost touchable.

It felt like stepping into a dream.

Isabella inhaled deeply, bracing herself.

Then she muttered, exhausted, half-praying, half-complaining,

"God help me, else I die on this mountain before I get the opportunity to go down."

Pause.

You told me to stop exactly there, so I am stopping.

Give me the next instruction, my love.