New World with Four Husbands-Chapter 659: Mother to daughter, daughter to mother

The journey was tense, the air heavy with unspoken words and suppressed emotions.

The group traveled quickly, stopping only for what was necessary— like checking when the wheel of the wagon got caught on a root, before continuing on their way, but each of them was aware of the danger that now followed them.

Not long after they stopped after the wheel got caught in a root fiasco, the wagon came to a sudden halt, jolting them all out of their thoughts, and it was well past midnight now, the air cool and quiet around them, causing unease to rise.

*Coco crawled across the floor of the wagon, shoving aside the curtains covering the exit before stepping out into the cool, moonlit night.

She looked around, her eyes falling on the carriage that held her mother which had clearly also come to a stop during the journey.

Then, Coco proceeded to look around some more, her gaze taking in the unfamiliar surroundings— a small clearing by the side of the road, illuminated only by the silvery moonlight filtering down through the trees.

Zaque and Alhai exited the wagon seconds later, followed closely by Heiren and Quizen, their gazes sweeping the surrounding area.

The night was strangely quiet, the only sound coming from the soft rustle of branches in the wind.

Zaque, ever watchful and cautious, was the first to speak.

"Why did we stop here of all places?" The mediator wondered aloud, and as if to answer his question, several of Cleora’s men emerged from the other wagons.

There are approximately three wagons and a single grand carriage in total, fanning out silently on the road.

One of the men that went out of the wagon approached the carriage, likely to report to his employer, while the others moved past the wagons, their posture rigid and muscles tight, ready to move in case anything happened.

That’s when Coco’s gaze landed on it— a weathered wooden sign half-hidden in the overgrown grass, barely visible in the moonlight.

A transportation station, seemingly abandoned, but still standing, its small platform sagging slightly.

She knew that they were on the way to a transportation station, but is this the place? Had they stopped here deliberately? Or was this just a coincidence?

Zaque’s voice cut through the silence, low and wary. "This.. Place is old. It could be dangerous to walk around."

Coco frowned, but before she could reply, the sound of the carriage door opening made her turn and just in time, she saw Cleora step out.

Coco’s face lit up with instant relief at the sight of her mother, but wariness still lingered in her eyes as she took a step forward which caught the attention of the older woman and had her look away from the man who went to report the situation to her.

"Mama." Coco called, voice barely above a whisper. "What’s happening? Why did we stop?"

Cleora turned to her, expression unreadable for a moment before she finally answered. "We’re making a detour, my love. Unfortunately."

Her tone was calm, but there was something sharp beneath it— worry, perhaps?

"This station isn’t as abandoned as it looks." Cleora stated bluntly, her green eyes sweeping past Coco to look at the barely visible transportation station ahead.

Coco froze. Not abandoned?

Coco nodded, her gaze flicking away from Cleora to land on Zaque— then Alhai, Heiren, and Quizen. Her expression tightened, the look of resolve settling over her features.

"Go back inside." She ordered, voice firm and low, causing the mediators to freeze in their spots. "I don’t know how I’ll be able to protect all of you if something happens right now, so get back inside the wagon."

Zaque’s eyes flashed, red and irritated, but it was Alhai who spoke first, his voice cool and monotonous.

"You don’t seriously think we would leave you out here alone?"

Coco exhaled sharply, fists clenching at her sides. "Mama is here with me, isn’t she? I’m only going to have a short talk. Don’t worry."

The unspoken please hung heavy in the air between them.

Alhai frowned, frustration clear in his eyes, but he turned and obeyed her command nonetheless. Quizen and Heiren followed suit, disappearing back into the safety of the wagons.

Zaque lingered for a moment, his gaze fixed on Coco’s face, a silent argument passing between them, but she stood her ground.

With a sharp exhale, he also turned and returned to the wagon, leaving Coco standing alone with Cleora.

Cleora shook her head slightly at her daughter’s tense posture, feeling slightly amused, exasperated, but above all, understanding.

"I’m guessing.." She slowly mused, tilting her head at her daughter with a small smile. "That the reason we stopped wasn’t the only reason you’re standing before me like this, hm?"

"No." Coco admitted with defeat, her gaze locked on her mother’s face.

"I worry about you, mama." She confessed, voicing unspoken concerns that she had been feeling since earlier, but couldn’t voice it out because of the different vehicle they got on.

Cleora’s expression softened at her daughter’s words, the sharp lines of her face softening in motherly manner.

It was easy to forget sometimes that, despite Coco being married and all, Coco was still just a girl— her dearest, lovely, and adorable little girl.

"You don’t have to worry so much." Cleora laughed softly, stepping forward. "I can take care of myself."

Coco nodded, swallowing hard against the sudden tightness in her throat, her hands curled into loose fists at her sides— like she was physically restraining herself from reaching out.

She knew her mother was capable, that she had survived and accomplished incredible things on her own.. But she couldn’t shake off the feeling of worry, the lingering fear, the anxiety.. She couldn’t help it, because she couldn’t truly understand or know all that Cleora was capable of.

"I know you can." Coco murmured, eyebrows furrowed. "But I’m your daughter. I can’t help it.. And I don’t know much about your abilities, so I worry."