Chapter 69. One Last Escape

Nobody seemed astonished by Bella's defiant grin; they'd already designated her as such and expected her to demand her freedom. She carried herself with an air of self-sufficiency as if nothing could stop her.

While her judgment was correct, I couldn't help but wonder why those who were dissatisfied seemed to have lost a war. Did they intend to continue bullying her?

Maya expressed her displeasure, saying, "What precisely is this? At the funeral, no other colors are authorized. You are aware of the Oak Pack's regulations, but you continue to violate them, as you usually do."

Bella responded in a lighthearted manner, joking with Maya, "The Oak Pack has a rule that no bride will be registered under her husband's name after she has lost him. I am no longer a member of the Oak Pack, and as such, I am not subject to any of its rules."

Maya reminded Bella, in an attempt to subtly threaten her, that "you are still in the territory of the Oak Pack."

I observed