Transmigrated as the villainess: I claimed five beast husbands!

"How do I look?"

Kai forgot how to breath. He sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes wide with a mixture of fascination and awe. Then he swallowed, a faint pink blush dusting over his cheeks and spreading to the tips of his ears.

"You...you look um..." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Anna let out a soft, airy laugh. "It’s not so often I see you at a loss for words, Kai. Is the change really that drastic?"

Kai shook his head. "No! Absolutely not drastic it’s just...you look so..." he trailed off, seemingly contemplating his next word before he breathed out "... innocent."

Anna rolled her eyes in good natured humour. "Innocent huh? Like I didn’t try to murder my sister and lose my crown?"

His jaw dropped.

Anna burst out laughing. "I’m messing with you," she turned back to the mirror and stared at her reflection.

Her long silver hair was gone, chopped close to her chin and dyed a rich black. Her eyes were still dark, her features looked the same as always. But Anna believed she looked different.

Black hair suits me more...

Her clothes were changed too. As she couldn’t leave with her elaborate and luxurious princess gowns, she settled for a simple tunic, pants and boots. She’d never noticed how slender her body was till she stood before the mirror in normal clothes.

I wish I had some jeans. Or even better, a crop top.

Anna had never worn a crop top in her life.

Kai came up behind her in the mirror, watching her with intense eyes. He was fully dressed too, his hair tied back, a few strands falling gracefully into his eyes. Their eyes met in the mirror and Anna subtly leaned into him. His arms came up, wrapping around her waist while his chin dropped to her shoulder.

"Do you think they’d recognize me?" She asked, her voice a breathless whisper.

Kai looked at her through the mirror. "Only those who’ve been close to you,"

Anna thought about it. Princess Orchid was popular in the South, that much was evident by her memories. But at the same time, she wasn’t close to anyone. Her relationships were strictly business and heavily labeled.

Anna let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping. "Somehow, I’m not scared at all. I feel excited even. Like this is going to be a whole new adventure."

Kai hummed, his arms tightening around her. Not enough that it was uncomfortable, just enough that she couldn’t wiggle free easily. His hot breath fanned her neck, causing her to shiver and bite her lower lip softly.

"It is going to be an adventure," Kai agreed, "one I can’t wait to experience."

"But it won’t be easy. We’ll have to work hard and survive. I don’t even have any money, what the heck does money even look like here? I don’t know."

"Work?" Kai lifted his head and glanced down at her. "Cutie, where did you get that idea?"

Anna whirled around and faced him. "It’s all I’ve been thinking about. Surely we need to work. I’m not a princess anymore. I just can’t snap my finger and the highest grade of nutrient pills will land in my lap. You remember the inn don’t you?"

"That doesn’t—"

The door opened and Ray walked in. He paused, his mouth open as if he wanted to say something. Then he looked at Kai, then Anna, then back at Kai, and without another word he marched up to them and grabbed Anna’s wrist.

Kai noticed this and merely rolled his eyes.

"As I was saying—"

"What were you talking about?" Ray cut in, holding Anna’s wrist tighter.

"It’s good that you’re here," Anna said, turning to Ray. "I was just telling Kai how we’d need to work really hard so we can be able to survive this new Chapter of our life. And he’s looking at me like I’m reciting the laws of the universe."

Ray glanced at Kai. A beat of silent conversation passed between them. When Ray turned back to Anna, he was smiling.

"Yes, we’ll need to work."

"Exactly. That’s what I was telling Kai but he doesn’t get it. I’m thinking maybe I can be a waitress or something? But no, there’s no restaurants here. Or maybe I can offer some cleaning services? I once worked as a cleaner after college and that gave me some really cool cash. I can also—"

Anna went off, subconsciously pulling her wrist out of Ray’s hold as she went on and on, listing different work she could possibly do to earn some money for them.

Both men had entirely different thoughts.

Kai was totally amused. He watched Anna with a wide smirk on his lips, his head tilted to the side like he was studying an adorable hamster. He had so much he wanted to tell her but he couldn’t. Not yet. She looked so beautiful, with her short hair brushing her chin and bouncing with each movement of her head, the way the strands caught the morning sun and highlighted blue. Blue, like mine. She’s so cute.

Meanwhile, Ray wasn’t so amused.

He wanted to grab Anna by her shoulders and shake her till all the thoughts of working vanished from her head. Why did she think it was okay to burden herself with so much thoughts? Was this how things were in her past life? Did she have to work to provide for other people? Ray’s heart clenched just trying to imagine what must have happened to make her think this way. She looks so worried and pale, has she gotten any sleep at all? If I interrupt her now, won’t that be rude? But I wish she’d stop.

Anna, pausing for breath, turned and looked at her husbands. Ray looked worried and Kai was smiling.

She touched her face. "Do I have something on my face?"

"You mean beauty?" Kai replied smoothly.

Anna smacked his arm. "Stop it."

"Anna," Ray stepped forward, "let’s get to the south first. Then we can worry about this."

A deep frown creased on Anna’s brow. "But if we don’t plan now how are we going to survive?"

"We will survive," Ray said.

"But—"

"Do you want to kill yourself with worry first?" A cool voice asked from the doorway. All eyes turned to Drax. "Someone is here to see you," he said to Anna before she could reply. Then he stepped to the side and Bella walked in.

Anna’s worries vanished at the sight of Bella. The servant girl was crying, tears streaking her face and her hands trembling, clasped together in her lap.

"Your highness," she whispered in a shaky voice.

Anna’s heart broke. She walked up to Bella and pulled her into a hug. Bella broke down, sobbing into Anna’s chest, her arms tightly wound around Anna.

"Let me come with you please," Bella sobbed, grabbing onto Anna’s tunic like she wanted to merge herself with Anna. "Please. Let me..."

Tears pricked Anna’s eyes. She’d been doing such a good job at holding her tears back since the council verdict yesterday. And now, she wasn’t sure she could keep it up any longer.

The answer was painfully obvious. The royal decree had been clear.

She was to leave with nothing. With no one.

"I’m sorry," Anna choked out, squeezing her eyes shut. "I’m sorry Bella,"

They stayed together for a long while. Until Bella’s sobs died down and Anna’s tunic was soaked with tears. Anna didn’t mind it. If it made Bella feel better.

"Here," Anna took out a small pouch from her pocket and gave it to Bella. "There’s some strawberry seeds, and I was able to solidify my spores. Use them to purify the soil. And plant the strawbrrries for you and your siblings, okay? I’m really sorry I never got to visit them."

Bella nodded, fighting back tears. "Thank you, your highness. I...I didn’t think a day would come when I’d be sad to see you go."

Anna laughed wryly. "Neither did I."

Bella looked up at her with bloodshot eyes. "It’s like you’re a different person. I’m going to miss you,"

Anna’s heart clenched. "Me too."

Bella looked down at the pouch then held it to her chest.

"We should move now," Drax said, stepping inside. "You can go," he said to Bella.

With one last tear filled hug Bella gave Anna, she turned and walked out of the room.

Anna noticed Drax staring intently at her. Their eyes met and he immediately looked away. She turned to Ray and Kai.

"Let’s go."

Kai jumped forward and put an arm around her shoulder. He wiped her tears away with his thumb. "There’s no need to cry. Your servant will be in good hands."

"He’s right, as much as I hate to say that." Ray sighed.

"You’ve been giving me attitude all day, batty. Care to explain why?"

"First, get your arm off her shoulder. She is not your causal friend she is our wife."

"Or what? You’ll beat me up?"

"You want to get beaten up?"