Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Operation: Zoo Date

(Featuring One Bunny, One Dragon, One Gorilla, and a Dog)

Zatariel's Point of View

Today will go down in history.

Not because the economy did a backflip.
Not because some politician tripped over a flag.

No. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

Today is historic because Miexha Wayne Verra—heiress of the Wayne Empire, sworn enemy of pollen, and lifelong fan of windows that don't open—has finally stepped outside her castle.

Into the wild.

And by wild, I mean the zoo.

Yes. The city's most popular zoo. Home of penguins with attitude and goats with teeth. A public animal prison.

Apparently the perfect location for a government event.

Because nothing screams national pride like giraffes chewing sideways while diplomats sign trade agreements.

Naturally.

And there she is—

My—no, our—sweet little endangered species.

Wrapped in a white cotton dress.

(Which I chose for her, thank you very much.)

She's clinging to Jayson like the goats are capable of launching an organized assault.

"Riel... are we going to get rabies if we stay here too long?"

She whispered it like we were entering a battlefield instead of walking past a petting zoo.

"No, princess," I said with a smirk.

"The goats are strictly vegetarian. They only bite billionaires who wear white."

She gasped and instinctively scooted closer to Jayson.

Who, for the record, looked like a grumpy uncle forced to attend a school field trip.

The man radiated brooding competence. He could probably make a lamppost salute.

And the way he held Miexha's hand—like she was a national treasure he'd personally been assigned to protect.

Calling them a couple was like calling soup a beverage.

Technically true.

But fundamentally wrong.

Jayson gave her a small, reassuring nod. The kind you give a cat watching you from across the room.

Right.

Fiancé.

More like an honorary butler.

Meanwhile, Asha was already ten steps ahead of us, skipping through the path like a delinquent sprite.

Her denim shorts were so microscopic that even the flamingos looked scandalized.

She blew a flying kiss at a female zookeeper.

"If the lion doesn't want you, honey," she purred, "I do."

The poor woman turned the color of tomato soup.

"Asha," I muttered, "control your thirst. There are children present."

She winked.

"Relax. I already gave the princess some spicy books. She won't stay an innocent baby forever."