CHAPTER 316: OFF TO THE CITY GATE

Sinclair and Coco got inside the carriage, their bodies adjusting to the confined space as the door slammed shut behind them.

The coach man flicked the reins, the horses pulling the carriage forward, causing the wheels to rumble over the cobblestones— the ride was slightly bumpy, the suspension doing its best to smooth the jolts.

Zaque and Quizen were left blinking in surprise as they watched their wife Coco pressed against the window of the carriage, her body squished against the glass.

They had expected her to enter the carriage with a certain amount of grace because no matter how much Coco tells herself otherwise, Sinclair is still a noble, but she was instead pressed firmly against the glass, her face squished against it as the carriage shook and rumbled over the cobblestones.

A strange sense of amusement and slight concern crossed their faces, the sight of her in such a position an unexpected surprise.

"I knew you were going to come back, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon." Coco mumbled, leaning back hunched.

Sinclair couldn’t help, but chuckle when he heard Coco’s words, hearing the mild grumbling in her voice, her annoyance was evident, and he couldn’t help but find it just a little endearing.

Coco’s grumpy expression brought an unexpected smile to Sinclair’s face, her disgruntled tone making the situation quite amusing, and he couldn’t but let his eyes gleam with amusement, his lips curled into a smirk as he took in the sight of her squished against the window.

"You should have told me yesterday that we will today, too, you know? My social battery gets so low that I refuse to leave the house, but what can I say? You already planned a whole day for me." Coco mumbled, just ranting at this point.

Her continued complaint about his early arrival was more adorable than annoying, and he couldn’t help, but find the whole situation rather heartwarming.

As Coco continued to rant, Zaque and Quizen exchanged a look, the two housing the same expression— concern.

Her hunched position against the window doesn’t look comfortable, rather, it looks painful and awkward so Zaque felt worried about his wife’s body.

With Coco ranting, Zaque barely let his brain process that he was already reaching out and tapping Coco gently on the shoulder, drawing her attention away from the window and ceasing her grumbling.

Coco turned to face Zaque, her face still contorted into a displeased frown, but as soon as she noticed him offering his shoulder as a more comfortable place to rest on, she quickly obliged.

"Thank you." She murmured and leaned against his shoulder, shifting her weight away from the window and towards his body instead, finding comfort and stability in the new position almost immediately.

Zaque should be happy, should be grateful that Coco leaned on him, but he tensed up, feeling a mix of surprise and embarrassment as Coco accepted his offer and leaned against his shoulder.

He did not expect her to take him up on his gesture of offering his shoulder for her to rest on so the sudden contact made him feel flustered.

Zaque’s body stiffened, his mind racing with thoughts, as he tried to regain his composure, he couldn’t help, but feel a bit overwhelmed by the situation, the unexpected intimacy leaving him off balance.

He knew that Coco was not someone who would lean on a person she doesn’t seem trustworthy— and that thought? It helped him ease a little.

Sinclair raised an eyebrow at Zaque’s reaction as he watched him tense up and try to compose himself.

Coco leaned against his shoulder and made the situation all the more intimate, but that’s normal between married couples, right? Zaque’s attempt to regain composure was evident and Coco’s relaxed face was a sight to see.

Unfortunately, beside Sinclair, Quizen couldn’t help, but feel a pang of envy as he watched the scene unfold before him.

The sight of Coco leaning against Zaque’s shoulder sent a wave of envy coursing through him, his mind consumed with thoughts of what it would feel like to have that kind of intimacy with her.

Sure, Zaque proclaimed his love for Coco in front of the other husbands first, but that doesn’t mean he gets to have Coco Coison all to himself, right? Right?

Quizen frowned and huffed in frustration, his eyes unable to look directly at the sight before him.

He tried to console himself, telling himself that everything has a reason, reminding himself that he would also get a moment of closeness with Coco soon.

However, deep down, a hint of doubt and impatience clung to him, making him wonder when it would be his turn because if he was being honest, he did not treat Coco as well as Zaque when she first arrived at their house.

He could remember vividly that he had turned his head away from Coco when she tried to be as civil as possible towards him— towards them, Coco Hughes’ husbands.

Despite all the snide remarks, the barks towards her abusive behavior even though it wasn’t her, the menacing glares that were thrown her way, the words that spread around the village even if it wasn’t her doing.

Coco has put up with everything, but didn’t call them out of it nor did she stop them.

Somehow, Coco not doing anything to protect herself against their jabs and accusations— Quizen’s cheating accusations— made the blue haired mediator annoyed.

How can she not protect herself from them?

How can Coco Coison not give them the same snide remark they had thrown her way? How can she stay calm and composed after getting disrespected by the three of them?

Quizen let out another huff, crossing his arms and pushing himself further on his seat.

He looked out of the window, staring at the gates, stores, and buildings that they had passed, only to find himself staring at Coco’s sleeping face.

Quizen blinked, his eyebrows furrowing.

Why do I keep looking at her?