New World with Four Husbands

Chapter 682: Carriages

The night faded into dawn, the first light of morning spilling across the sky in hues of soft pink and gold.

The view from Cleora’s castle was breathtaking— rolling hills dusted with snow, sprawling colorful gardens meticulously maintained, and beyond that, the distant silhouette of the city waking up.

Inside, Coco and the others had finished breakfast, lingering near the grand entrance of the castle.

They were ready to head back to the heart of the city, but they were still waiting for Cleora, having told that she was getting ready to head down.

Cleora didn’t join them for long for breakfast, but she started to eat with them.

Unfortunately, the butler of her mother came rushing inside the dining room and whispered something in her ear that made Cleora stand up from her seat before excusing herself from the table.

That happened earlier, with the sun barely cracking on the horizon.

So now, after they finished making themselves presentable with the clothing Cleora provided for all of them, they are now waiting for her.

Coco shifted on her spot, her gaze flicking toward the stairs every few seconds.

"Mama’s late." She muttered, eyebrows furrowing in worry. "She didn’t even finish her meal.. If she’s so busy, she doesn’t have to accompany us back to the house today."

Heiren exhaled through his nose, arms crossed, and glanced at his dearest wife. "You’re her daughter and it’s your first time in the city she rules over, so of course, she wants to guide you herself rather than let other people do it for her."

Renaldo nodded, agreeing. "Since the two of you got separated for who knows how long.. I’m not surprised that she wanted to spend as much time as she could with you."

The others who were simply listening nodded their heads in agreement, just in time for the sound of footsteps to reach their ears.

Coco perked up and looked over, hoping that it’s her mother.

Cleora descended the staircase at last, unhurried, pristine, and graceful— a mannerism that she always carried with her even when they were still on earth.

"Patience.." The older woman chided lightly, adjusting her sleeve as she passed them. "*.. Is a virtue, my love."

Coco rolled her eyes. "Of course, mama."

Seeing that Cleora is always walking ahead of them, Coco and the others trailed behind her.

They exited the castle, their footsteps crunching lightly on the frost-kissed path, and despite the group following, Coco naturally fell into step beside her mother, matching her stride effortlessly.

The crisp morning air filled her lungs, making her shudder, then she glanced at Cleora with expectant eyes.*

"What are we going to do today?" She asked, her voice bright with anticipation, her gaze practically twinkling. "I know that you want us to go to the house, but what exactly are you planning for us, mama?"

Cleora smiled, not breaking her pace. "I’m planning to do something fun."

That was all she offered and it was infuriatingly vague, which made Coco groan, though her lips curled into a grin despite herself.

The group stopped right before the castle gates because Cleora paused at the entrance, her eyes drifting toward the carriages that were approaching them at alarming speed.

A confused expression crossed Coco’s face at first, but before she could even voice her confusion, the reason for their stop became clear.

The three carriages approached and came to a halt before their group, the horses snorting softly.

The horses pulling them were well-groomed, their coats gleaming in the sunlight with the drivers guiding them with practiced ease.

One of the two footmen in front of the carriages swiftly dismounted from their station, their uniforms crisp and polished as they walked up to the carriage’s doors.

Each footman grasped the handle of the door, pulling it open with a smooth motion, revealing the lushly carpeted interior.

Cleora turned to Coco, a sly smile on her beautiful face.

Her eyes sparkled with quiet mischief as they often did when she was up to something and nudged her head in the carriage.

"Choose one." She hummed, making a small gesture toward the carriages— an indication to go ahead and pick what she liked.

"Do.. I have to?" Coco mumbled, feeling flustered under the unblinking gaze of the men who were holding the carriage doors open. "Okay, okay.. Uh.. I choose.."

Her gaze skimmed over the carriages, lingering on each of them, but there was one that particularly caught her interest.

All of the carriages were beautiful, that much is obvious, but one of them was dark green and pulled by a pair of powerful-looking brown and black horses.

Her hand shot up and she pointed toward it, her eyes never leaving the wooden vehicle.

"I want this one." She told her mother.

Cleora glanced at Coco for a moment, then hummed in approval. "Good choice. You’re my daughter indeed."

The statement made one of the footmen flinch, but one look from Cleora made him straighten his posture, then she glanced from Coco to her husbands, a smile curled her lips.

"Get inside, dears." She commanded softly. "Your wife has made her choice."

As quick as they could, the mediators nodded and hurried to obey her command, scrambling to board the carriage that Coco had chosen.

Cleora watched as they disappeared into the vehicle, her smile growing faintly.

Without a word, Coco spun on her heel towards Jacques, Renaldo, and Jonathan, a small smile on her lips.

"How about you guys? What do you—"

Before Coco could even finish her question, Jacques interjected, her voice cutting through the air.

"I want you to choose for us." The woman hummed, making the mediators behind her nod their heads in agreement. "It would be an honor if you do so."

Coco paused, her mouth snapping shut as her eyes flickered to each of them.

They were all staring at her, their gazes expectant and.. Strangely hopeful, as if they were anticipating her choice.

Coco frowned, her brow pinching in confusion. "You sure?"