CHAPTER 196: A MATE FOR MARSHI... AND SECRETS FOR ME

[Lavinia’s Pov—Rose Garden—Later]

If anyone ever asks me what’s more nerve-wracking than two grown men arguing over me on a balcony, the answer is simple: a divine beast sulking in a koi pond. Because apparently, that’s my life now.

"Move! Let me through!" I snapped, hiking my skirts as Sera led the way, Rey strolling like he owned the palace, and Osric glaring daggers at his every step. By the time we reached the courtyard, the scent of burnt roses and steamed fish hit my nose.

And there he was—Marshi. Glorious, luminous, and absolutely ridiculous. His whole body clung wet to his body as he sat, yes sat, in the middle of the pond, koi fish circling him like confused diplomats.

"...Is he sulking?" Rey tilted his head.

"No," Sera said dryly, "he’s throwing a divine tantrum."

Rey let out a low whistle. "Well. At least he’s not roasting the fish."

Osric crossed his arms. "Give him a minute."

"Stop tempting fate," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Sera was wringing her hands. "Princess, he won’t move. He’s been ignoring everyone. Even the stablemaster tried singing to him."

Rey perked up. "Singing? Please tell me there’s a recording of that."

"No," Sera snapped, "because someone almost got barbequed."

I took a deep breath and crouched by the edge of the pond, my reflection warped by the ripples of heat. "Marshi," I called gently, "what’s wrong, hm? You’re supposed to be the calm one. Why are you acting like a sulky toddler?"

Marshi flicked an ear. A tiny spark danced on the water’s surface. Not exactly reassuring.

Rey leaned closer, balancing a hand on his sword hilt like he was about to negotiate with a moody god. "If your divine is losing control, maybe it’s that thing I mentioned earlier. You know..."

I glanced up sharply. "The ’heat cycle’ thing?"

"Exactly," he said with a maddeningly casual shrug. "Every divine beast has a rhythm. Power builds up, emotions get tangled, and instincts kick in. Maybe he’s restless because he’s... missing something."

"Missing something," I repeated slowly. Then the thought hit me, sharp and uninvited. "Are you saying... Marshi needs a mate?"

Rey smirked. "Bingo. And the longer he goes without one, the more volatile he might get. Imagine bottling up that kind of energy. No wonder your roses are ash."

Osric let out a sharp breath, unimpressed. "Finding a divine mate isn’t as simple as plucking a bride from the market, you idiotic guild master. These creatures bond for life. Where do you suggest we find one? Do we hang a sign that says ’Lonely Celestial Beast Seeking Partner’?"

I ignored the jab and straightened up. "Where and how can we find a mate for him?"

That shut both of them up.

Rey’s smirk faded into something more thoughtful. "Honestly? It’s complicated. Divine beasts choose. You don’t get to pick for them."

I let out a long sigh. "Finding another divine creature, and not just any but the rare ’Rakhsar’ type... it’s going to be difficult."

Rey’s lips curved again, but this time it wasn’t mocking—it was sly. "Who said a divine has to mate with another divine?"

My eyes widened, and my brain screeched. "You mean—"

"Yes." Rey grinned wider, like a cat who just discovered cream. "You could technically find him... a normal tiger. Or something similar. But there’s a catch."

"Which is?"

Rey tilted his head, the golden earring dangling dangerously close to scandal. "It has to be his fated mate. Only the fated one can withstand the... intensity of a divine beast’s heat cycle."

I was frozen somewhere between fascination and panic.

"I see..." I murmured, but before I could dig deeper into this suddenly very alarming subject—

"His Majesty is coming!"

The words rang like a war horn. And just like that, chaos erupted. Servants scattered like frightened pigeons. Sera stood beside me.

Rey’s smirk vanished faster than a cat in water.

"I should go," he said casually—but there was a sharpness to his tone now. "See you later, Princess."

"Wait—Rey, hold on—" I reached out, but he was already moving.

But he didn’t even glance back. One moment he was there; the next he was already melting into the crowd with unnerving speed, like smoke vanishing through cracks.

I stood frozen, frowning.

Why did he run? Why did he bolt the second Papa’s name came up? Did he commit some crime against papa or what?

And that’s when it hit me—he wasn’t just leaving to avoid formality. There’d been something in his eyes at the mention of Papa. Something sharp. Something almost... wary, like he’s hiding from him.

But why would Rey hide from papa?

"Lavinia."

Papa’s voice cut through the courtyard like a blade. The air shifted instantly; everyone dropped into a bow. Even the koi seemed to pause mid-swim. Papa’s gaze swept over me, slow and deliberate—left, right, up, down—as if I were a doll on display, and he was inspecting for cracks.

Finally, he exhaled, the sound heavy. "I thought something happened to you."

"I’m fine, Papa." I quickly pointed toward the koi pond where Marshi was sulking, his great striped body looking far smaller than usual. "But him—Marshi needs care. Urgently."

Papa’s brows drew together. "Did he lose control of his power again?"

"Yes," I admitted. "But it wasn’t just that... I found that he’s going into his heat cycle and that’s the reason why his powers keep misbehaving with him."

The moment the words left my mouth, Papa’s head snapped toward me, his eyes narrowing like twin blades. "Who told you that? Who’s filling your head with such pathetic things?"

The tension cracked across the courtyard; even the guards flinched.

I crossed my arms. "Papa, I’m not a child. I can put pieces together."

His glare lingered, then softened into something like resignation. "And how, exactly, did you ’put the pieces together’? Who gave you such information?"

I didn’t hesitate. "Rey told me."

The reaction was instant. Papa froze and then slowly, almost too carefully, turned his gaze on me. "What did you say? Who?"

"Rey," I repeated. "A friend. Someone I know."

I can’t tell him that he’s the guild master. I hired.

Papa stepped forward in one smooth, predatory motion, his hand coming down firm on my shoulder. His grip wasn’t harsh, but it was grounding, like he needed the contact. "What is his full name, Lavinia?"

"Huh?" I blinked, thrown by the sudden intensity. "Why do you—"

"Lavinia." His voice cut sharper this time. "Tell me his full name."

This is the first time I’ve ever seen Papa acting desperate, and something in his tone made my stomach knot. I swallowed.

"Rey... Rey Morvan."

Behind him, Ravick stiffened, stepping forward as if to speak, "Your majesty..."

But Papa’s focus never wavered.

"Dark blue hair?" Papa asked, his voice quieter now, too quiet. "Does this guy have a dark blue hair, Lavinia?"

The question sent a shiver down my spine.

How does he know?

"Yes," I said carefully. "But Papa how did you—"

Papa didn’t answer. Instead, he ran a hand through his own hair, almost absently, and gave a small, dangerous smile. "I’ll send letters to those who keep tigers. We’ll find a mate for your Marshi."

And just like that, he turned, his cloak flaring behind him as he strode off. "Ravick. Follow me."

Ravick’s eyes met mine briefly—there was something unreadable there—before he followed.

I stood frozen, a dozen questions bubbling in my chest.

How did Papa know about Rey? Why did his voice change like that, like he knew Rey before?

I turned to Osric. "Osric...what do you think how did papa know—" hoping for some anchor of normalcy, but the words died in my throat.

Because Osric was pale—unnaturally pale. His usually calm expression was gone, replaced by something tight, almost rigid. His hands were clenched so hard at his sides that I could see the faint tremor in his knuckles. And his eyes... they weren’t on me or the koi pond anymore. They were fixed on the empty space where Papa had been, wide and unblinking, like he’d just seen a ghost.

And there, clear as daylight, was fear.

It wasn’t the kind of fear you see when someone’s startled. No, this was deeper, heavier, like a weight pressing down on him.

Fear told me one thing: Osric knew something—something I didn’t. Something they were all keeping from me.

Why were the men around me suddenly acting strange? Rey vanished the second Papa’s name was mentioned. Papa’s sharp reaction at the mere mention of Rey. And now Osric, standing here like a man who’d just realized the sky was about to fall.

They were hiding something. I could feel it crawling under my skin like an itch I couldn’t scratch. And I hated being left in the dark.

I have to find out. Whatever it is, I will.

But for now... priorities. I glanced back at the koi pond, where Marshi’s tail flicked weakly against the water, his golden fur dimmed. My heart softened.

"Sera," I said, my voice steady, "let’s find a mate for Marshi. He needs us first."

I took one last look at Osric’s pale face, at the fear that still lingered in his eyes, and turned away. My sigh carried more weight than I intended, but I didn’t stop. My steps were deliberate, my thoughts already racing ahead.

One thing was clear—something was moving behind the curtains of this palace, and I was going to pull them down, thread by thread.

But first... Marshi.

And with that, I walked away.