"Would you shut up!" Barrett’s voice sliced through the air like a razor.
"Are you crazy? Who’s even speaking?" Dorian had been lost in mories of Elara’s gentle touch when Barrett’s sudden explosion dragged him back to the present.
"Finnian, could you please keep that trap of yours shut?"
Ah—so the outburst was directed at the fox.
Finnian released a quiet laugh. He wasn’t about to point fingers at who was feeling envious.
"If you’ve got any backbone, convince Elara to give you sothing special too. Otherwise, quit your pathetic whimpering." Finnian certainly knew which buttons to press.
Barrett charged toward the door, absolutely livid, then suddenly collapsed to the ground and hunched there like a beaten dog. She didn’t care for him.
Finnian grinned, contentedly arranging his bouquet, his gaze so soft it could have lted iron.
Silas remained completely still. He was focused on crafting a gown—an ethereal, celestial creation scattered with miniature jewels that sparkled brilliantly. The rabbit fine-tuned the shoulder seams, picturing how Elara would appear wearing it. The more he visualized, the stronger his urge beca to draw the mannequin into his arms.
This devious lop-eared rabbit was losing his mind.
"My lady, I adore you so deeply."
With that notion, he caressed the vine bracelet around his wrist and grinned without thinking. Raising his hand, he allowed the vines to graze his face, then shut his eyes. In fantasies, anything is possible.
But right as he settled back, the door chid.
That sound struck everyone’s heart like a sledgehamr. It was her.
——
Elara’s POV
I rolled in pushing a small trolley.
Fresh strawberries rested in delicate ceramic dishes—several portions, neatly organized.
The mont I wheeled the cart inside, my phone buzzed. I scowled slightly. The original owner had been a wanderer—who could possibly be calling now?
So, under the intense stare of multiple sets of eyes, I backed out again.
Looking at the sequence of numbers flashing on my screen, I felt completely revolted, like I’d just stepped in garbage.
After considering briefly, I picked up anyway.
"Speak."
Beatrix couldn’t trust what she was hearing. When had her pitiful cousin started talking like this?
Whatever. Soone would handle her shortly. With this thought, Beatrix smirked smugly and purred in a nauseating sweet voice, "Elara, Thorne and the others are heading your way to visit. I understand you ventured to the Voidferal Feral Territory completely alone. And with your beast husbands’ spirit collapse rates so extre, they’re likely worthless now. How about this—say sorry to those guys, show so humility, plead for their rcy..."
"Have you lost your mind? If you’re ill, go find a doctor. Don’t co here starting trouble, or I’ll tear you apart—"
Beatrix was rendered speechless by my verbal attack. Eventually, she managed to stamr, "Elara, your attitude has really spiraled out of control. If you continue this way, your beast husbands will never care for you. You must change."
"Beatrix, what kind of dumpster did you climb out of? How are you this full of crap? If you’re so gentle and patient, why can’t you just take my insults gracefully? I’m not changing. Deal with it?"
"You—"
"Get lost. Don’t force to co there and smack you."
After unleashing on her, I blocked her number imdiately.
Still, I had to appreciate Beatrix. That woman was so certain I would end up miserable that she’d called just to gloat beforehand, right?
Too bad. The one who would suffer was the original owner—and I wasn’t the original owner.
I tossed my hair back and pushed the door open to return inside. The instant I entered, I noticed Kaelen and Julian watching with enormous eyes. They’d obviously overheard every word of that conversation.
"Keep gawking like that and I’ll gouge your eyes out."
What’s the problem with a beautiful girl cursing a bit?
Kaelen said, "This is my Dragonfire Blaster. Flip this lever, and it fires concentrated solar flas."
Julian protested, "That one’s wide-range. Doesn’t really fit a female. Use mine—it’s graceful and functional."
A venomous fishbone blade, decorated with pearls. Clearly graceful.
I looked back and forth. The two of them were practically squeezed against the service window, pushing their weapons toward like they were presenting treasured offerings.
Fine. Children pick; grown-ups take everything.
How perfect—I’d been puzzling over how to distribute my vine bracelets, and now the chance had dropped right into my hands.
I first took the Dragonfire Blaster from Kaelen, then retrieved the vine bracelet I’d made for him and slipped it through the opening along with the strawberries. "A gift in return. It’s a bug-repelling bracelet."
"I understand. It goes on the wrist."
Kaelen was already steps ahead of .
I grinned. "Fast learner."
The ones I’d distributed earlier had ti limits—they’d stop working eventually. Taking advantage of this mont, I’d swap them all out with new ones.
With that, I picked up a strawberry and placed it in his mouth. Kaelen’s ears shot straight up as he eagerly opened wide to receive it. His darling had fed him directly. Even if it were toxic, he’d consu it if I gave it to him.
And the outco?
"This tastes amazing. So sweet!"
Kaelen’s honeyed, prolonged groan made the others clench their jaws in irritation.
Julian was next. I accepted his weapon too and fed him a strawberry as well. The sea demon was completely shocked—he hadn’t anticipated that I would show him affection too.
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