CHAPTER 517: DECLINING THE INVITATION

Coco walked down the stairs with Heiren and Sinclair hot on her trail— of course, Kairo is still in her arms.

Before they left the office, Kairo tried to get down, but it was Heiren who insisted on letting him stay off the ground just in case he collapsed again, not wanting him to push himself.

The three of them stood in the lively atmosphere of the guild, their expressions blank and their eyes scanning the area.

The chattering and laughter of the guild members faded into the background as the three of them made their way through the crowded hall— a few glances and whispers were exchanged, some curious, others concerned, but Coco, Sinclair, and Heiren were unbothered by the attention they attracted.

Sinclair took the lead and guided their small group towards the exit of the guild building.

He pushed open the heavy wooden door, the sunlight momentarily blinding them as they stepped out into the open air.

The sounds of the hunters slowly faded as they left the building behind.

Coco, Sinclair, and Heiren stood outside the guild, taking a moment to adjust their eyes to the brightness of the sun that glared down at them.

Coco exhaled deeply, her gaze flickering towards Sinclair. "Alright. Heiren and I are going home."

Sinclair nodded in understanding.

"Understood, master." He replied, his voice steady. "I’ll stay and keep watch for a while longer. If anything suspicious arises, I’ll alert you immediately."

Coco flashed him a smile and was about to thank him, but she interrupted.

"Hughes!"

She heard her name being called from a distance, making her turn her gaze in the direction of the voice, her nose scrunching up in confusion.

"Wait up, Coco Hughes!" the voice called once more, the sound growing louder as the person approached at an alarming speed that made Coco take a step back.

However, Coco swiveled on her heel, her eyes focusing on the horses as she watched the five senior hunters ride towards her.

The sight of the approaching riders, their mounts’ hooves thundering against the ground made her utterly confused because what could be the possible cause of their hasty approach?

The rhythmic sound of the horses’ approach grew louder with each passing second, their strides synchronized— and Coco stood still, her gaze darting from one hunter to the next, torn between her curiosity to know their purpose or just leave them be.

Yuuko was the first to halt her horse, her gaze met Coco’s.

As if on cue, Coco’s usual carriage rumbled to a stop just behind Heiren, its wheels creaking as they ground to a stop.

Now, Coco’s attention became divided, her gaze shifting between Yuuko’s unreadable expression and the newly arrived carriage, her curiosity piqued.

Okay.. I have to listen to Yuuko first, then I’ll excuse myself. Coco thought, steeling her decision to get home as soon as possible.

A frown appeared on Yuuko’s face as her gaze landed on the carriage, her expression showing both disdain and disapproval, but she quickly shifted her focus back towards Coco, the harshness in her face softening into a smile.

"Do you have some time?" She asked, her tone dripping with hope. "Some of the hunters and I were planning on going out for a snack. Care to join us?"

Coco’s gaze darted to the awaiting hunters behind Yuuko, hesitation flickering across her face.

She already made her decision to go home so she showed them that she was thinking about the invitation, but ultimately, her decision was already clear so she shook her head.

"No, but thank you for the invitation." She declined politely, forcing a smile on her face. "My husbands are expecting me back at home urgently. I appreciate the thought, though. Maybe next time? If our schedules overlap."

Yuuko raised an eyebrow at the mention of Coco’s urgent departure, her gaze quickly shifting over to Heiren for a moment before returning to Coco.

"Is it truly that urgent?" Yuuko inquired, her tone tinged with mild skepticism as she directed her question to the brown haired mediator. "Does your wife’s presence at home require immediate attention?"

Heiren was incredibly taken aback by Yuuko’s question and he tried to respond, but Coco was quick to step in front of him, her eyes narrowing at Yuuko.

"With all due respect, I’m right here." Coco stated firmly and bluntly. "And I already declined the invitation, didn’t I? So it’s quite disrespectful to continue pressing the matter when I made my decision clear, Miss Yuuko."

Yuuko’s eyes widened ever so slightly as Coco made herself clear.

Yuuko’s horse began to whine and take a step back from Coco as if the animal’s senses detected the tension in the air.

Yuuko ran a hand along her horse’s neck, attempting to soothe the animal, her expression showing her surprise as she looked at Coco, but she decided to not push it.

She nodded her head in acknowledgment, her insistence faltering after facing Coco’s firm rejection.

"My apologies." Yuuko mumbled. "I didn’t mean to push it. I got carried away."

Coco held Yuuko’s gaze for a brief moment, her expression still stern and guarded before she glanced away, her focus shifting away from the senior hunter.

"We ought to be on our way then." Coco stated, her tone final and left no room for argument.

Coco’s attention returned to Heiren and she flashed him a small smile, making the mediator relax a little.

"Let’s go, my love." Coco said as she walked towards the carriage. "I’m sure that you’re tired."

The five hunters watched in silence as Coco and Heiren settled inside the carriage, their gazes glued on the wooden vehicle before them.

Then, slowly, the carriage started moving until the sight of the vehicle disappearing in the distance, leaving them feeling quite conflicted at the attitude Coco showed to them.

"I suggest not overstepping my master’s boundaries, hunters." Sinclair spoke up, his eyes glued to the carriage that disappeared.

The hunters gazes snapped towards him, their eyes boring behind Sinclair with puzzlement.