Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World

Chapter One Hundred and Forty One: In The Presence of Power

I looked upon them and greeted them with grace.

"King Winfrey, Queen Rosetta—good to see you again. I hope all has been well, though it's unfortunate we meet under these circumstances."

I bowed respectfully, my voice calm, my expression genuine. I saw it work—they softened, just a little. I could see it in the way Winfrey's jaw relaxed, and Rosetta's shoulders lowered an inch.

But then I saw it—guilt. Deepening. Swelling. Filling their eyes with a weight they clearly carried. And for a brief moment... I truly felt for them.

I shifted my attention next.

"Oh—and welcome back, gentlemen," I added, glancing at Rosa's mates. "You look in better shape."

I didn't linger on them. Didn't give any of them the honor of true attention.

"Can't say the same about your comrade," I said, voice dipping just enough. "But I'm doing my best to save his life. I hope I'm successful."

Out of the corner of my eye, one of the tiger males flinched. His brother. He tried to hide it, but didn't do a good job of it. That twitch was sharp, raw, and honest.

This time, I did look at him—right into his eyes. And in them, I saw it: turmoil, sadness, pain, and torn in the mind. The grim understanding of what his reality was.I held that moment, then looked away, lifting my gaze toward the kings seated around us—signaling without words that the meeting could begin.

Rosa scoffed. Loudly. Her eyes, full of hatred, rolled toward me with enough venom to drown a smaller woman. I felt nothing.

She and the others joined the table.

I turned to Winston and Gabriel. "Sit at the table for me," I said softly.

They did.

Frank and Nicholas stepped over, taking their places just outside the hollow tree where I remained. Silent and watchful. Standing as my personal guards.

As everyone took their respective seats, Wilbard repositioned himself at the far end of the table—directly in front of the hollow tree on the right side of the room, where Mr. Orangutan had climbed in and settled atop it with his legs folded. He didn't sit inside the tree like I had; he simply perched above it, still and dignified, like a statue.

James, Memi's mate, along with Shuu and Muir, leaned against the wall near the hollow tree Mr. Orangutan occupied.

From my place inside the opposite hollow tree—on the left side of the room—I observed everything. I hadn't taken a seat at the table. I didn't need to. Winston and Gabriel sat there in my stead. On our side, Bai, Parker, King Calum, and Memi joined my mates, forming a quiet front. across from King Winfrey, Rosetta, Rosa, Bart, Lucas, and Will,

Across from them sat King Winfrey, Queen Rosetta, Rosa, and her mates—Bart, Lucas, and Will who filled one side of the table.

Further down the table, with their backs to me, sat King Gallant and his mate Queen Amelia—positioned across from Wilbard, their presence cool and observant, here not just to witness, but to judge.

From where I sat, I could see everything, and more importantly... everyone could see me.

Wilbard cleared his throat and said, "So, let the meeting begin. Who should speak their side first? Maybe it's best if I pick—"

He didn't get the chance.

Rosa shot up from her seat like she'd been sitting on coals. Her palm slammed the table so hard it rattled the nearby bowls.