"I do like it!" Rory reached out and gently stroked Nix’s fluffy tail. "Tell ," she said with a smile, "who taught you to dress like this?"
This sweet, simple little cat had always tried to tempt her in the most innocent ways—showing off his ears and tail, or wearing a shirt with an overly deep V-neck. With a head full of ch schematics and weapon designs, there was no way he could have co up with sothing this... bold on his own.
Nix’s face flushed bright red.
"It was Yuel," he admitted shyly. "I traded him an eleventh-Rank ch to teach ."
As he spoke, he wrapped his arms around Rory and gently pushed her down onto the bed.
"Rory, I know I’m not as clever as Yuel when it cos to pleasing you. I’m not as powerful as His Highness Prince Vincent. I don’t understand you the way Jasper does."
He hesitated, then added gloomily, "And I’m definitely not as good-looking as Lian."
Rory blinked.
Who had been filling his head with nonsense now? And what did Lian have to do with anything?
She pulled Nix into her arms and planted a firm kiss on his cheek.
"Stop overthinking," she said warmly. "Whether it’s you, Jasper, Vincent, or Yuel—each of you holds the sa place in my heart."
What ulterior motive could she possibly have? She only wanted to give them a warm ho.
"Really?" Nix’s eyes lit up, brimming with joy and relief. "I knew Rory was the best."
He lowered his head and kissed her softly, then whispered near her ear, "Do you like dressed like this?"
Rory nodded. "I do. But only when no one else is around."
"Of course!" Nix nodded eagerly.
There was no way he would dare wear this in front of Vincent and the others. He was fairly certain they’d chop him up on the spot.
"I’ll buy more outfits like this," he declared enthusiastically. "I’ll wear them one by one for you."
It was as if a new world had suddenly opened up for him.
Yuel was truly reliable.
He decided he’d gift Yuel another ch.
***
That evening, the mont Yuel returned, Nix dragged him aside.
"Yuel! The thod you taught worked perfectly. Rory loved it today. So I’ve decided I must thank you properly."
So he’d really used it.
Yuel raised a brow with a faint smile. "And how do you plan to thank ?"
Coincidentally, he had sothing he needed Nix’s help with as well.
"I’ll give you another ch," Nix said earnestly. "But this ti it can only be tenth-Rank. I don’t have enough eleventh-Rank beast cores."
Yuel shook his head. "I don’t need another tenth-Rank ch."
He stepped closer and murmured into Nix’s ear. "I placed a rather large order at your lab today. If you truly want to thank , can you prioritize producing my equipnt?"
He was desperate. A swarm of subordinates had been hounding him daily for upgraded gear.
It was driving him insane.
Nix opened his light-brain and reviewed the order. He hesitated.
"Alright. I can prioritize yours—but you absolutely cannot tell His Highness Prince Vincent."
He lowered his voice. "He also placed an order before you. If he finds out I delivered yours first, he’ll never let off the hook."
And then he might lose his precious ti at ho with Rory.
Yuel nodded solemnly. "I swear before the Beast God, I won’t tell Vincent."
"Won’t tell what?" Vincent’s voice rang out suddenly.
Nix nearly jumped out of his skin.
Yuel calmly patted Nix’s shoulder and turned without the slightest panic.
"Tell you about," he said smoothly, "how I taught Nix to win Rory’s affection."
Nix nodded vigorously. "Yes! Exactly that!"
Yuel was a genius.
Vincent let out a cold chuckle. "Ridiculous."
As if he even cared.
***
Later, Rory ca downstairs.
Passing by the fish tank, she paused to glance at the isolated little pink fish.
The leaf Yuel had placed in the water was gone.
The fish, which had looked on the verge of death that morning, was now visibly more energetic.
It seed it wouldn’t be turtle food after all.
"What are you looking at, Rory?" Yuel asked, stepping beside her.
She smiled. "Yuel, you’re back. This little fish was nearly gone this morning. I gave it so healing serum and one of your leaves. It looks like it’s pulled through."
"Your leaves are that effective?" Nix leaned closer, grinning at the now lively fish. "Yuel, give so leaves too?"
If he had Yuel’s leaves on hand, then whenever he accidentally blew himself up while testing chs or warships, he could just eat one and recover.
Vincent and Jasper, coming downstairs, both turned to look at Yuel.
Yuel rolled his eyes.
He pulled out four small bundles of leaves from his spatial ring and tossed them to Nix.
"One each. Split them."
Then he took out another bundle—this one beautifully packaged—and handed it to Rory.
"Rory, this one’s for you."
"Didn’t you just give a pack last night?" Rory looked at him suspiciously.
Had he plucked himself bald again?
Last night, he had already given her a bundle. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared waste one on the fish.
Yuel smiled lightly. "My abilities have fully recovered. I grow many leaves every day now. And I shed many, too."
If he didn’t collect them, they would just fall and go to waste.
The ones he gave Nix and the others were naturally shed leaves.
The ones he gave Rory were personally selected and plucked by hand—only the best.
"In a couple of days," Yuel added softly, brushing a kiss against Rory’s cheek, "I’ll be able to bloom fully again. When that happens, will you co pick the flowers yourself?"
Rory smiled and nodded. "Of course."
Nix tucked away his leaves and leaned toward Yuel. "Then give a few flowers too. I’ll trade equipnt."
Yuel was the only mutated Moonvine in his entire clan. His flowers were extraordinary.
Yuel casually tossed another leaf into the fish tank and replied, "This batch of flowers is for Rory. If you want so, wait for the next bloom."
Vincent imdiately interjected. "You can’t play favorites. If you give so to Nix, you can’t leave out Jasper, Xarion, or ."
He absolutely would not miss this chance to fleece Yuel. In the past, asking Yuel for even one flower was like demanding his life.
Xarion didn’t particularly care—he had little use for flowers.
But since they were all family, if the others received so, it would look strange not to include him.
Rory suddenly imagined Yuel as a single, bald vine standing alone.
She nearly burst out laughing.
Fortunately, she managed to suppress it.
Quickly, she turned her attention back to the little fish, which was happily nibbling on another of Yuel’s leaves.
Rory tapped the glass lightly.
Startled, the fish darted into the corner, clutching the leaf in its mouth.
And the house filled once more with warmth and laughter.
User Comments
0 comments from readers