As soon as Elias' famous scowl and angry red eyes made an appearance, she stepped back. "Ali, come and play with your papa. Mommy has an appointment."
The red eyes disappeared instantly. Elias grabbed her arm. "Sienna, are you really going to move out?"
She nodded. "I need peace Elias. I want freedom to do whatever I like in my own house. After I find the house, we can talk." She pulled her arm out of his hold. "I am going to change, you should leave."
Elias did not leave. He had a lot to say, the first being commanding her not to step a foot out of this house. But he did not have the moral high ground at the moment. For now, it was best to let her think she had control over the matter.
He carried Ali, and the rope toy she was clinging to tightly and they left the room. Twenty five minutes later, Sienna stepped out on the balcony. The flying ship which belonged to the property company picked her up.
She had never flown in a ship before. A plane--yes, a ship, unheard of! She clutched the railing as the realtor--a towering beast man with antlers and a grin too wide for comfort guided her aboard.
"Don't worry," he said, voice booming like a cheerful gong. "Flying ships are safer than crossing the road."
Sienna muttered, "That does not boost my confidence."
"They are certainly safer than my wife," he added. "They don't throw things or argue back."
Sienna gave him a look. "That's....reassuring."
The ship lifted off, sails shimmering like stars.
Elias and his family watched the ship leave, each of them silently pondering on the implications of Sienna's move.
Soon, Sienna became comfortable and she started to enjoy herself. The view was very wonderful, especially when they reached the sea in just fifteen minutes. It stretched endlessly, waves glinting like scattered jewels.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" The realtor asked.
Sienna nodded.
The ship descended near a sprawling farmhouse perched on a cliff. Just like the listing said, it had six bedrooms, wide porches, and fields that rolled toward the sea. Sienna's eyes widened. So much space. So much peace.
The realtor spread his arms dramatically. "Lady Veythar, there are enough bedrooms for you and Lord Veythar, for every mood swing. One for happiness, one for anger, one for sulking, one for plotting revenge..."
"Is that what your wife does?" She interrupted.
The realtor winked. "She saves some for the in-laws."
Sienna chuckled, despite herself. The farmhouse smelled of salt and hay, a strange but comforting mix. She imagined raising horse here, growing her own food, establishing her fitness studio and adopting many pets. Real pets--not beast man kind.
But then the realtor lowered his voice. "One small detail. This area is...controlled by a gang of mer beast men."
Sienna froze. "Mermen?"
"Yes." He sneered. "They are not as beautiful and kind as the movies portray. Not all of them anyway. These particular ones are very territorial. They don't like outsiders near the coast. So, you can't go down there or near their sea weed patches or they will attack you."
Sienna's jaw dropped. "And for that reason, I am out."
The realtor sighed. He had been expecting it. The house had been on the market for six years because of that reason.
They returned to the ship and it soared again, carrying them to a smaller, cozier cottage nestled by the waves. It had a farm attached, chickens clucking, goats bleating. A vibrant orchard that was clearly tended to.
Sienna stepped inside and immediately smelled of bread and herbs.
The realtor clapped his hands. "And here, there are no hostile mer beast men, I promise. But, it comes with a live-in wolf beast man. He takes care of the property because it was owned by his family for two hundred years before his father decided to sell.
For personal reason, he refuses to move out. He is willing to work for you. He is loyal, hardworking, and only howls during full moons." In the back of his mind, he added, 'Or when he is in heat.'
Sienna raised an eyebrow. "A roommate. That is not what I had in mind."
She was in a dilemma. Of all the listings she had seen, only the ones near the sea interested her. The farmhouse offered grandeur, space and bad neighbors. The cottage offered a great view, coziness and a wolf butler.
She paced the porch of the cottage.
The realtor tilted his head downwards and said, "Big house, big problems. Small house, small problems. But either way, you'll still have problems. That's real estate for you."
Sienna laughed. "You are a bad salesman."
"On the contrary," he said proudly, 'I'm honest. That's why people trust me. If the problem is the size, the cottage can be expanded. All the cottages here are for sale. To your left, right and behind."
"Is this buy one, get one free?" Sienna joked.
The realtor laughed. "You wish. It's more like buy one, buy two more and I can finally afford to send my son to Clawspire Glory Academy."
Sienna laughed again. "I can see why your clients like you. Can I think it over for a day?"
The realtor guided her back to the ship. As she thought over were she wanted to live, the ship rocked gently. The farmhouse was too big, it would probably be lonely living by herself. The mermen were also dangerous and she did not have the right claws and fangs to fight back.
The cottage had only three bedrooms, which was just fine but she was not too eager to live with a stranger. What if he ate her in her sleep?
She pictured wolf teeth coming down on her neck and shuddered.
Sienna also thought about her brother and mother, in this world. Her brother had been offered a place at Clawspire Glory Academy. Their mother was excited to move, but only if Sienna was okay with them moving to this city.
She sighed. It seemed like the original owner was ashamed of her family. "Such a shame." Having family here would be good. She would not have to navigate this complicated beast world alone.
Besides, they had not lived with the original owner for seven years so any changes in her personality would not raise eyebrows.
Most importantly, she could live near the wolf beast man without worry. There and then, she decided to buy two cottages. One, where she would live with her family and the other with the wolf beast man who would help her manage the properties.
If the children or guests ever came by, there would be space for them too.
It struck her then that maybe she would need more space in future with all the pets she wanted. It also wouldn't hurt to grow her own food, have a home gym, build a big kitchen!
She cleared her throat. "I will take three cottages that are closest to each other."
The realtor screamed in excitement. His antlers nearly knocked over a lantern. He swept her off her feet, and swung her around, almost dropping her in the sea!