Mute Mate: The Alpha's Obsession-Chapter 199: Turns Of Laughter

Zavren’s lips finally curled upwards at his wife’s soft laughter. It seemed like this wife of his had already discussed many things about him with their daughter. Who knew she would take that painting frame from the shark house to their humble room?

His lips lifted into a smirk as he stared at Ariana, and Ariana, who noticed his gaze, shifted hers, looking anywhere else as her heart began to thud. Now, it was Zavren’s turn to laugh. He broke into a calm chuckle, and Ariana’s face burned as she glared at him hard.

"What’s funny?" she said, stomping her feet and pursing her lips — that only made Zavren laugh more. Little Vreni, who Zavren had been carrying, laughed softly as well. She looked even cuter as she laughed because of the way Zavren was laughing.

Ariana managed a smile at her daughter, who smiled widely back at her, showing her incomplete but adorable set of teeth.

Ariana wondered if Zavren was laughing at her because she had something on her face. Maybe next time she would ask him.

"Brrrrr..." her lips parted as her stomach growled, making all eyes move to her stomach — including little Vreni’s.

"Momma, hugwy," she said, slapping Zavren’s shoulder repeatedly. Zavren nodded as Ariana shifted her gaze and spoke while walking to the dining table.

"Let’s eat."

In the past weeks and months, whenever Ariana lost her appetite and rejected food, after meeting or playing with Vreni, and when her stomach made that sound — she would notice her daughter’s curious eyes on her. Ariana would then explain that it was because she was hungry and needed food.

Ariana sat on the chair as Zavren gently placed little Vreni on her shielded chair. He moved to sit as Leah bowed, ready to feed Vreni.

Ariana reached for the prepared mixed fruits — one she enjoyed for some reason, blending them together instead of eating one at a time. Maybe it was the influence of Lady Stephanie’s concoctions, though Lady Stephanie’s were with fruit drinks, while hers were with the fruits themselves.

Just as she reached out, Zavren’s hand brushed sharply against hers, sending electric shivers down her spine. He handed the bowl to her as she took it. He calmly cleared his throat, and their eyes locked for a moment. As usual, she quickly shifted her gaze.

With a calm voice, he spoke.

"My Queen, you seem quite flustered today. You were very much—"

"King Zavren," Ariana interrupted immediately, her tone serious she knew exactly what he was about to say.

This man had lacked shame.

She glared at him before glancing at little Vreni to make sure she hadn’t heard. Luckily, the little one was so invested in her food that she failed to realize what was going on.

Zavren chuckled, giving Ariana a wink. She maintained a neutral face, even though her heart did a backflip.

Ariana lifted her fork, taking the fruits and ignoring Zavren — even though it was hard. She wanted to show him how serious she was. She was not okay with him saying that, especially when they weren’t alone now. If they had been, she knew she would have blushed like crazy...even do she was blushing now.

When she looked back, she realized Zavren was no longer eating. She stared at him curiously — no wonder she hadn’t heard the clinking of cutlery. She had thought he might be having a drink.

"Your Majesty, perhaps the food is not to your liking?" she asked in surprise.

Zavren’s lips parted. He would be lying if he said her words ’Your Majesty’ hadn’t stirred something inside him.

"Luna Ariana, your husband was just worried that you’re mad at him. Food doesn’t taste good when my wife looks sad and angry at me," he explained.

Ariana’s lips parted in shock. She could not believe what she’d just heard. That was something she hadn’t expected at all — though maybe deep down she knew it could happen. Her stomach fluttered at his words as their eyes met. Despite his calm tone, his gaze held a pleading softness that showed he wasn’t joking. Ariana knew that if she didn’t say anything, he wouldn’t eat.

So, she simply moved her fork and knife and continued eating, pretending not to have heard him. She fought not to look his way, knowing that if she did, she might not be able to keep her cool. She held back the smile and giggle threatening to escape her lips.

She wanted to punish him a little — but after a few bites, she realized she couldn’t take it anymore.

It would be better to find another punishment for him, not this. She had just realized he hadn’t eaten much and needed food.

She finally took a deep breath and turned to him. Zavren, who had been staring at her, smiled when their eyes met. Ariana’s heartbeat accelerated. Before she could speak, he did.

"I apologize for my behavior. Please, could you find a way in your beautiful heart to forgive me? And if you can’t... fine, I’ll help you find it, my love."

Ariana’s face burned as she glared at him. Zavren broke into laughter at her expression. Little Vreni, who had been focused on her meal, tilted her head, looking between her mother and laughing father curiously.

"Pwincess Dada," little Vreni said softly, clapping her hands.

Leah smiled at the little girl, taking a small cup of water and gently feeding her again.

Meanwhile, at the table, Ariana was holding back her laughter so hard as she noticed Zavren’s stunned expression. Why wouldn’t he be speechless, when his own daughter just called him—

"Princess Dada."

Ariana could no longer hold it back. She giggled, then burst into laughter. Zavren just stared at her, his lips curling. Seeing her smile already brought one to his own lips — those soft laughs that always calmed him and made him float.

"Your Majesty, you may eat. I have forgiven you," she said softly, her smile still held back. The situation only grew funnier in her head.

"Go on, sweetheart. Laugh," Zavren said calmly as he moved the meat to his lips. He hadn’t shifted his gaze — except, of course, when his daughter had called him "princess." Now he wondered why he’d even shown his wife that frame, knowing she would never let it go.

Ariana laughed again. She really tried to stop but couldn’t. She slapped her laps gently as she finally calmed down. Zavren chuckled softly, lifting his glass of water to his lips. He noticed his wife had laughed so hard that a tear had fallen from her eyes.

Ariana looked away immediately as their gazes met.

"Focus on your meal, honey," she spoke through their mind link.

Zavren’s lips curled upwards — he couldn’t believe he had forgotten that they could mind link.

"But sweetheart, how can I, when I have someone far more delicious to feast on?" he replied with a devilish grin.

Ariana coughed as she had swallowed her rice wrongly. Zavren immediately stood and handed her water. She took it, glaring at him as she gulped it down gently. Zavren’s large hand circled her back softly.

"Are you alright, wife?" he asked gently.

Ariana nodded.

"You should mind the words you say, Zavren," she mind-linked, a wide smile spreading across Zavren’s face, this time revealing his teeth.

Ariana’s heart wouldn’t stop racing. It was like this man knew exactly what he was doing. Zavren walked back to his chair and sat calmly. If anyone saw him now, they would never believe what he had just said to her through their mind link.

He turned his gaze swiftlybto her — and Ariana gasped, immediately looking away. He must have caught her staring.

"The seer will be arriving soon.. not only the seer but Raven as well," Zavren said.

Ariana nodded, wondering if it was related to what she had seen earlier. Was that why Zavren had been talking to that man before?

"Momma," little Vreni called. Ariana took her water and gulped it down before standing. She walked to her daughter and gently wiped the food particles from her mouth, while Leah bowed and cleared the plates.

Ariana carried little Vreni in her arms as the girl hugged her, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder.

"Momma, finished my fwood. Where’s sweet?"

Ariana smiled softly. "Leah, please take her to the room. Give her sweets as well and chocolates. Today, we’ll go feed the fishes."

Leah nodded with a bow. "Yes, Luna Ariana."

Ariana handed little excited Vreni to Leah. The girl waved, and Ariana waved back. As soon as they were gone, Ariana turned to Zavren, who had been watching her.

"May I also come fishing with you two?" he asked calmly.

Ariana smiled widely. "Of course, honey. I thought you’d be busy— we would all go that would be perfect."

Before Zavren could speak, a maid entered with a bow.

"Your Majesty, Mister Raven and the seer are here."

"Let them in."

The lady bowed and hurried away.

Not long after, Raven and the seer arrived. Other maids moved around, clearing the table.

"Luna Ariana, a pleasure to meet you," Raven said.

Ariana smiled softly, but suddenly, the atmosphere turned suffocating. Raven immediately shifted his gaze to Zavren. The seer stood with a bow before raising her head.

She was holding a box. Ariana grew curious about what it was.

The seer gently set the box down and opened it.

Ariana’s lips parted, her body shivering.

There, sitting inside, was the ancient heart — the ancestral heirloom passed down by her family. Her lips trembled as an overwhelming urge to cry took over.