New World with Four Husbands

Chapter 417: Confusion

Two days had passed since the incident and there was a subtle shift in the atmosphere among the husbands.

It became evident that news of Alhai’s accidental kiss with Coco had left a ripple effect causing their conversations to be filled with hushed whispers and lingering looks.

Due to what Alhai did, he had stopped walking through the kitchen door so early which gave the three husbands an opportunity to exchange thoughts and opinions about Alhai’s unexpected action every morning.

However, Zaque remained indifferent, at least he tried to, while the other two couldn’t help, but wonder what had driven Alhai to make that impulsive decision.

One thing was clear— the dynamic among the husbands was quietly shaped by the aftermath of that single, unexpected kiss.

Unfortunately, that incident seems to have affected their wife more than they thought because Coco had started coming home later than usual, entering the house with a weary expression on her face every time she walked through the front door.

Instead of engaging or spending time with the others like she usually does, she would quietly make her way towards her room, avoiding any interaction with them.

Her usual lively demeanor was replaced by exhaustion and a big hint of distance.

It was clear that something was amiss, but Coco remained guarded and closed off, choosing to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself regarding the incident.

The others, though concerned, respected her desire for space and refrained from pressing the issue, albeit with a lingering worry in their eyes, but what can they do? Coco doesn’t want to talk about it.

Another morning dawned, and like for the past two days, Coco prepared to leave the house for another day of work.

Heiren, being the thoughtful husband he is, had packed a lunch for her earlier and she accepted it with a nod and a strained smile.

She bid a quick farewell to him like every single morning before slipping out the door and heading off for the day.

Even though her departure was brisk and her demeanor somewhat distanced towards him, there was a glimmer of appreciation in her eyes for Heiren’s gesture so it was enough for him.

Coco stored the packed lunch inside her inventory, the items disappearing seamlessly.

With the lunch now safely tucked away, she approached the waiting carriage, her steps fast and obviously in a hurry to leave the premises.

The coachman held the door open for her and Coco quickly climbed into the vehicle, settling into her seat then, just like that, the carriage set off on its journey to the hunter guild where she always headed.

Lala perched on the seat across from Coco, her wings softly fluttering behind her.

Her gaze remained fixed on Coco, her red eyes studying her human companion and Lala being observant towards her friend, immediately picking up on the subtle cues and changes in Coco’s behavior, sensing the emotions that lay beneath her neutral expression.

As the carriage jostled slightly, Lala’s wings fluttered a bit, a small sign of her curiosity piqued.

Lala broke the silence inside the carriage first, her voice soft yet laced with concern. "Coco? Are you still shaken by that kiss?"

Coco’s eyes darted to Lala, a mixture of surprise and hesitation in her gaze.

She had expected Lala to remain quiet on the topic like the mediators, but the fairy had always been perceptive— and quite curious about her in general.

A pang of unease fluttered in Coco’s chest as she considered answering, and not a moment after, Coco let out a sigh, her gaze dropping as she nodded her head in agreement.

"Yeah.." She replied, her voice tinged with disappointment. "It’s just that... I always believed my first kiss to be with someone I had feelings for."

The memory of Alhai’s unexpected advance still haunted her thoughts and the fact that it had happened so unexpectedly left her with different emotions—disappointment, annoyance, and a lingering sense of.. Giddiness?

Lala’s eyes widened in surprise as she processed Coco’s revelation.

"That was your first kiss?" She repeated, disbelief coloring her voice, her wings fluttered involuntarily, expressing her surprise at the unexpected confession.

Coco nodded, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Yes, it was.."

The fact that Alhai had taken her first kiss left a range of emotions warring within her, but again, she couldn’t pinpoint why she didn’t seem to mind.

Lala’s expression shifted, her frown deepening as she empathized with Coco’s situation.

"Well, if it was me." She pondered aloud. "I would also avoid the person who kissed me, especially if I didn’t have feelings for them that way."

The fairy’s words struck a chord within Coco because indeed, ever since the incident, Coco had been dodging Alhai like he was contagious, a defensive mechanism triggered by the unexpected scenario.

Coco continued. "Exactly.. That’s why I’m avoiding them for now.. Because I know I should be mad, disgusted, or something— anything, really— but I just don’t."

Her words hung heavily in the air, her struggle with her lack of negative reaction evident in her face.

The absence of the expected emotional response puzzled and bewildered her, leaving her with a sense of confusion and a nagging question as to why she wasn’t experiencing the mentioned disgust or anger.

Lala listened carefully and she couldn’t stop her lips from curling into a slow, sly grin as she leaned slightly forward.

"Well, let me ask you this." The garden fairy began, her voice tinged with eagerness and teasing. "Did you actually like the kiss and wasn’t uncomfortable?"

Coco froze in place for a second before she chewed her lower lip thoughtfully.

"I.. I don’t think so." She responded, her voice dripping with uncertainty and confusion. "But it kind of feels that way? I don’t know, lala.. I just don’t understand why I don’t seem to mind it."

"Let me rephrase the question then." Lala giggled, her gaze locked onto Coco, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Do you like him?"