Chapter 205 205 Fuss and Bustle

Chapter 205 205 Fuss and Bustle
Fortunately, Anton came to his sense the next day. He was disoriented and battered, but alive—and already healthy. Laverna hadn’t left his side all night and all morning, and once she made sure he was truly out of danger, she returned to her swamps.
Kays came back to me a few hours after I’d left them alone to talk. He brought good news: Anton no longer needed magical healing, and Laverna would keep an eye on him until he fully woke up.
Escaping my insatiable dark-haired menace—who, despite not having slept, still very much wanted debauchery from me—I went to Anton’s room. He was still lying in bed, deep in thought.
“Hey. How are you?” I asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Hey. Like I got chewed up and spat out,” he replied thoughtfully. “And that guy is the one who stole your heart? A textbook abuser.”
“He’s not an abuser,” I laughed, relieved my friend was okay. “He just thought he had to protect me from Laverna. They’ve had a feud going on for centuries. But! They’ve made peace now.”
“Still, you might want to take a closer look before rushing into marriage,” Anton muttered, making me smile fondly.
“The wedding’s in three days,” I said, seeing confusion flash in his eyes. “But that’s not why I’m here. Tell me… why did you step in for Laverna? You could’ve died. You almost did, if she hadn’t made it in time.”
“Honestly? I don’t even know myself,” he admitted with a sigh. “Instincts, I guess. Protect the weak.”
“Except Laverna is very far from weak,” I said, studying him as his mind struggled with feelings he didn’t yet understand.
“I don’t know! I saw danger and didn’t think. Only I’m allowed to bully the old hag!” he snapped, angry at himself. “She was here when I woke up, and I… expected to see someone else. I kept seeing Lavi in my fever dreams. Tell me—Lavi isn’t Laverna’s granddaughter by any chance?”
My jaw dropped.
“No. They’re not related,” I grumbled. “Go wash up. Let’s get breakfast.”
At the breakfast table, there were plenty of people already eating. This wasn’t a mandatory royal event—anyone could come down if they wanted, or stay away if they didn’t. No offense taken. I liked that about this world.
Kays apologized to Anton, and they seemed to smooth things over, but Anton stayed gloomy and distracted during the meal. Unlike my other friends—Yafi and Iolanta.
The brunette had never been to other kingdoms or palaces, so she was endlessly amazed by every novelty and curiosity. Yafi watched her with open affection and quiet adoration.
“Could my eyes be deceiving me? A white stallion—and you’re here?” we heard Rachil’s booming, trembling voice as she came down to breakfast with her sisters. “The gods have heard our prayers—we’ve met again!”
Damn it.
I saw Yafi turn paler than his own hair. Iolanta didn’t understand yet, but she was already tensing up. Rachil, meanwhile, paid her no attention at all—she ran up to the blond, lifted him together with his chair, dragged him away from the table, and spun him around laughing happily. Then she scooped up the stunned man and hugged him so tightly his feet barely touched the floor.
“We missed you so much!”
I watched volcanic fury erupt in Iolanta’s eyes. Slowly standing up, my friend approached the joyful reunion. Yafi swallowed hard.
“Rachil, allow me to introduce my beloved woman… my mistress… my future wife… and the mother of my future children—Iolanta!” Yafi rattled off quickly.
With every word, Iolanta’s eyes widened, her posture straightened dangerously, and she lifted her chin with regal pride as she stared down the redhead.