Chapter 958 - 956-Cat Fight.

Austin still lays to be the greatest mystery that Isabella had come across in her life, she had pitied and found it so confusing when Emily was so attached towards this figure, she being a beautiful and successful woman had her own fair share of admirers coming after her, those prideful elves keeping away their pride and talking to her even though Emily is more towards a half elf.

Sure it grants more abilities and is well respected but among many, they are still considered as in a sense inferior in blood, yet even those tried to get in touch with Emily, she was just that attractive to them, yet such a woman had given all her focus and time towards Austin, Isabella had heard the name more than once in passing before.

She had seen how much interest and focus Emily had given Austin, and she found it weird, though that didn’t last for long, now even she in a way had fallen towards the path that Emily had taken, she used every resource in her arsenal to gather all the information she can, trying to piece it all together, and the more she got to know, the more confused she became.

A lot of inconsistencies in the story, betrayal, growth, and a lot of gaps that not even her powerful information network could fill. In truth, reading what she got only felt more like swinging deeper into the story of a hero, of a legend, and it was confusing as hell for her.

Isabella, the one who could never forget what she sees and holds, couldn’t understand why such confusion filled her, Austin was an enigma and she wanted to unravel him but the more she tried the more she kept investing herself into it, unable to let go, unable to free, at some point unseen by her, it had become an obsession for her.

Soon she even took in all the info that Emily held, Isabella got to know mostly everything about Austin, how tall he is, how he walks, his sense, his presence, his smell, the food he likes, his relationship with his family, his favorite desserts, his favorite past time and just like Emily in a blink of an eye Isabella had also become a stalker.

But somehow Isabella didn’t hate it, in fact somehow some kind of recognition and a certain happiness filled her whenever she unraveled more of the life of Austin, it was like she was being rewarded, in her dream, she kept seeing her own smug face when she will surprise Austin with the knowledge she has, and down that rabbit hole she had fallen for the plan Austin had set for her.

.....

’This is a masterpiece’

Isabella thought. She looked at the topless Austin, having seen a vast amount of art, works, and sculpture, never having gazed upon such perfection before. An unnatural heat started to fill Isabella’s body, one she wasn’t used to; her face flushed, and her ears trembled.

’This is new information.....’

Using that as the excuse, Isabella secretly made sure to record this.

’Fo-For research’

Isabella tried to reason with herself, trying to bury it all under simple thoughts like ’this is just natural,’ but at the back of her mind she knew it was wrong; though, subtly, the corruption ranged and her mind turned a little.

’I am the one and only princess of the Elves, if I want some data, it’s mine to use, what the issue?’

A simple thought, and it spiralled down towards the obsession, the need to get more data, more information in any way she could, the subtle hint of it corroding deeper into her mind, while her body heated up and her mind turned, the voice Olivia sounded out, a bit deranged.

"What are you all staring at?"

.....

Olivia’s eyes had a certain redness to them, and her expression wasn’t all that bright as she asked the question; thus the atmosphere turned sour in an instant as Marlene asked.

"What do you mean? We are just watching the match."

She replied, her words loaded with a certain teasing to it; she and Catherine knew that perhaps Olivia might be the hidden love interest of Austin, thus they didn’t have much happiness in answering, not to mention with this disturbance, they had to take their eyes off the beautiful prize in front of them.

Marlene’s reply only made Olivia a bit more pissed off.

"If it’s just watching a simple match, why the hell do you have such a perverted expression?"

"Perverted?"

Marlene asked back with a light smile, her eyes narrowing just a fraction as she leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. The room, once buzzing with the low hum of anticipation for the fight, now felt like a pressure cooker, the air thick with tension. Marlene’s voice carried that regal edge.

Olivia’s lips curled into a sneer, her fingers digging into the armrest of her chair. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, not from embarrassment, but from the raw fury bubbling inside. How dare they? Austin was hers—her secret, her obsession, the one thing in this chaotic world that belonged solely to her.

She’d kept it hidden, played the part of the aloof friend, all while savouring the stolen moments. But now, seeing these... these interlopers ogling him like he was some exhibit? It twisted something deep within her, that possessive flame fanned by the corruption she’d always kept leashed.

"I’m just saying," Olivia shot back, her voice dripping with false sweetness, the kind that masked venom. "You all look like you’ve never seen a man before. Blushing, fanning yourselves. It’s pathetic. This is a fight, not a strip show."

Catherine, who had been subtly tucking away her recording artefact, let out a soft chuckle, her eyes flickering with amusement—and something sharper. She adjusted her posture, sitting up straighter, her maternal warmth giving way to a predatory glint. Catherine had always been the nurturing type, the one who dreamed of family, of rebuilding what she’d lost. But Austin? He was the cornerstone of that dream.

The thought of him with anyone else... it made her insides coil like a serpent ready to strike. She’d played the long game, waiting for the right moment to reclaim what she saw as hers by right—the husband, the father of her future children. And now, this confrontation? It was like the universe was testing her patience.

"Oh, Olivia, sweetie," Catherine cooed, her tone laced with condescension, like she was talking to a child throwing a tantrum. "Jealousy doesn’t suit you. We’re all just appreciating the view. Austin’s worked hard for that physique—it’s inspiring, really. Makes you think about what it would be like to... well, get closer to someone like that." She paused, her gaze drifting back to the arena where Austin stood, poised and powerful. "Don’t tell me you’re not feeling it too. Your face was practically glowing a minute ago."

Olivia’s eyes flashed, her grip tightening until her knuckles whitened. "Appreciating? Is that what you call it? You look like you’re ready to pounce. And recording? What, planning to replay it in your lonely nights? That’s not appreciation; that’s creepy."

Carmel, who had been sitting quietly, her blush still lingering like a stubborn stain, shifted uncomfortably. Her internal turmoil was a storm—sisterly affection twisted into something deeper, more desperate. Austin had been her anchor, the one pure soul in her fractured life. But now, hearing these barbs, it hit her: she wasn’t the only one seeing him that way. The thought of sharing him, of being relegated to "sister" forever while others claimed more... it ignited a spark of defiance. Carmelia’s voice whispered in her mind again:

’Fight for it. Don’t let them take him.’

"I-I don’t know what you’re talking about, Olivia," Carmel stammered, her voice soft but edged with a tremble that betrayed her nerves. She fanned herself again, more out of habit than heat now. "He’s just... impressive. As a fighter, I mean. We’ve all seen him fight. It’s normal to admire strength like that." But even as she spoke, her eyes darted to the others, gauging their reactions. Catherine’s knowing smile, Marlene’s smug tilt of the head—it was like they were all circling the same prey.

Marlene snorted lightly, her beastly instincts simmering just beneath the surface. The future Queen of the Seas didn’t share. Not power, not territory, and certainly not a man who stirred her blood like Austin did. She’d always prided herself on control, on the stoic facade that hid her deeper hungers.

But Olivia’s prodding was cracking that shell. "Admire? Sure, let’s call it that. But Olivia, why so defensive? It’s not like you have a claim on him or anything." She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Unless... do you? Is that why you’re snapping at us like a guard dog?"

The room fell into a tense hush, the only sound the distant roar of the crowd below as the fight preparations continued. Isabella, who had been the quietest, finally stirred. Her elven poise was impeccable, but her ears still twitched faintly, a telltale sign of her inner unrest. Isabella wasn’t used to this—emotions bubbling up unbidden, driven by an obsession she’d rationalised as mere curiosity.