Beastmen Kings At My Feet [Reverse Harem] - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Veronica sat on the swing in the garden, gently swaying back and forth, her mind stuck on the injuries she'd just seen on Matthew.
She muttered inwardly, 'That doesn't make sense. He's a Fraser—one of the two ruling families in Snakehaven. And he's the President. Who would dare lay a hand on him? Besides, he's powerful.
'The only way he'd end up like that is if he didn't fight back. But why wouldn't he fight back? Who could make him choose not to?'
Joshua's voice rang out. "Whatcha thinking about? You looked miles away."
Joshua appeared out of nowhere, brushing her cheek with a gentle touch.
Veronica shook her head, not about to bring up Matthew. She asked, "How's he doing?"
Joshua motioned for Veronica to stand up. She blinked in confusion but got to her feet anyway.
Then, without saying a word, he took her place on the swing. She was just about to ask what he was even doing when he reached up and pulled her straight onto his lap.
Veronica's face flushed instantly, her words catching in her throat. "Joshua, w-what are you doing?"
He chuckled, clearly enjoying her fluster. "There's only one seat here. You want me to sit on the ground?"
"No, that's not it." She shook her head, her eyes darting away. "Just feels kinda..."
She wanted to say too intimate.
"How could it be? You're my mistress. Whatever we do is allowed," he replied.
Veronica sat stiff as a board on his lap, mentally losing her mind. 'Sure, it makes sense to you guys. But it isn't to me. I got my first kiss stolen by that tiger, and now Joshua kisses and holds me every day like it's normal.
'I've been single for years and suddenly got hot guys left and right. My defenses are falling apart here.'
Suddenly, a servant came rushing from the distance. He bowed and said, "Mr. Holland, honored female, Mr. Fraser is awake."
Veronica blinked and jolted out of her thoughts. 'Right, I was asking about Matthew. How did I get so off track? Ugh, it's Joshua's fault.'
Joshua caught the way her brows furrowed and gave her a soft, teasing smile. "Weren't you just asking about Matthew?"
"Hmph." Joshua lifted her into his arms again, carrying her toward the castle. "Don't worry. He's not dying or anything."
As he carried her across the garden, Veronica wanted to crawl into a hole because everyone was looking at them.
He didn't let her down until they reached her room. He gently placed her on the bed and said, "You must be tired. Try to get some rest."
He brushed a few stray hairs off her forehead and placed a light kiss between her brows. That cool touch sent a shiver down her spine. No matter how many times he did it, she never got used to it.
"I'm not tired," she muttered, nuzzling into his hand like a little kitten. "If anything, you're the one who's tired. I haven't helped at all today."
Joshua's golden eyes flickered. He didn't say anything at first but thought, 'Oh boy, she's so cute.'
Then, after a beat, he smiled, "Serving you is my job, Mistress. And besides, I don't mind it one bit."
He dipped his head in farewell and left in a flash. Veronica stared after him, wondering, 'What's got him in such a rush?'
She shrugged it off, took a long, relaxing bath, and finally slipped under the covers. The sheets smelled like sunshine—fresh from the line. She rolled happily on the bed, feeling like a princess in her own little world.
Just then, two gentle and polite taps on the door reached her ears. Veronica thought in confusion, 'Joshua? Didn't he just leave? What now?'
"Come in," she called out, burrowing under the blankets with only her eyes peeking out.
To her surprise, it wasn't Joshua who stepped in.
The man's face was still pale, but his steps were steady. His long hair was tied back, his features sharp and composed.
"Matthew?" Veronica sat up and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Thank you." He didn't say what for, but they both knew.
"It's no big deal," she smiled. "I'd have done the same for anyone."
Matthew didn't answer. He just stood there and fixed his eyes on her.
He just received another message from his family. Veronica's psychic power was confirmed as S-level. They wanted him to win her over, make her happy, and do whatever it took.
His teeth clenched, but his face stayed perfectly calm, the same easygoing smile he always wore.
Veronica said with a playful blink, "If it's not urgent, can we save it for tomorrow? I'm gonna sleep now."
"All right then, Ms. Byrne. Sweet dreams. See you tomorrow." With that, Matthew turned and left.
Veronica rubbed her arms, feeling goosebumps creeping up her skin. She wondered, 'Why did that feel more like a curse than a blessing? Whatever. I'm not gonna overthink it.'
She shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep. But Matthew hadn't actually gone far. Once he was sure she was asleep, he quietly opened the door and slipped back into the room.
He walked over to her bed and just stood there, watching her. Her face, half buried in the soft blankets, looked so delicate.
Matthew stood like a statue. If Veronica were to wake up now, she'd probably scream bloody murder.
The room was silent, with only moonlight streaming through the gap in the curtains, painting everything silver.
One of his tentacles crept forward, slipping under the blankets and wrapping around Veronica's wrist, drawn to her warmth.
In her sleep, Veronica stirred and frowned, struggling a little against the strange sensation.
"Easy now. Be good," Matthew murmured.
Another tentacle slid beneath the blankets, curling around to her waist after pulling up the hem of her pajamas.
Still half-dreaming, Veronica gave a lazy swat and thought, 'What the hell is this?'
She tried to open her eyes, but she sank deeper into sleep like she was under a spell.
Matthew remained by her side, calm and silent. His tentacles secreted just enough sedative to keep her under without risk.
By the time the sky turned faintly blue with dawn, he finally retracted his tentacles. Before she woke up, he finally slipped out the door.
Veronica woke up feeling sore, like she'd been through a wrestling match, not a night of rest. She lifted the blankets and stretched. Her back ached, and her shoulders were stiff.
She didn't dwell on it, assuming that she must've tossed and turned too much.
After a quick shower and getting dressed, Veronica opened her door, only to jump at the sight of someone standing there.
She was startled. "Matthew? Why are you just standing outside my door this early?"
"You said we'd talk today, didn't you?" He gave her a calm, practiced smile.
Veronica replied, "Yeah, but come on, this is too early."
She shook her head helplessly, thinking, 'He's crazy. By the way, how did he know when I would wake up?'
She eyed him more closely. He wore the same clothes as yesterday, and his hair was still done the same way.
Just then, a ridiculous thought popped into her head, and she blurted it out, "Don't tell me you were out here the whole night."
Matthew raised his brow. "What do you think?"
Veronica gasped. "No way. You're not that insane, right?"
Matthew chuckled. "Of course not, Ms. Byrne. You're charming, sure, but not enough for me to camp outside your door all night."
Veronica gave him a weird look. He hadn't exactly acted warm toward her yesterday, hadn't struck her as the type who liked women all that much. She didn't know what changed him overnight.
"Don't get any funny ideas," Veronica warned.
"I wouldn't." Matthew took a step closer, flashing that smooth grin again. "Ms. Byrne, if you start thinking of me like that, I might get a little heartbroken."
'What a weird guy,' thought Veronica.
She didn't bother replying and headed downstairs to grab breakfast.
Matthew stayed behind, watching her disappear down the stairs. His thoughts drifted back to the sensation of his tentacles wrapped around her body last night.
'Of course I didn't wait at your door all night. I was by your bed. Watching you sleep. Watching how adorable you are when you're lost in dreams. You really are different from all the other females.' Matthew thought to himself.