A bloodline that had not even fully ford—yet it had already developed its own consciousness?
And more than that... it even possessed the sa dream-entering ability as him.
In the entire history of the Moonvine clan, there had never been a child born with such extraordinary talent.
Yuel had never wanted children.
But if this child truly possessed such astonishing potential...
He hesitated for a mont before replying to Rory.
Yuel:
Rory, if you truly want to keep him, then you must form an official bond with before the flower blooms.
But I can’t return right now. You may have to co here instead.
The war was already nearing its end. If Xarion escorted Rory here, there would be no real issue.
Still...
If they kept the child, it ant that for three whole years he would not be able to...
Three years. Three entire years!
The mont Yuel thought about it, his vine-life suddenly felt utterly bleak.
His future seed shrouded in darkness.
Rory saw his ssage and quickly replied.
Rory:
I understand.
I’ll definitely co to you before the flower blooms.
The blooming ti was approaching quickly. They needed to start preparing soon.
Just then, Nix returned carrying the bowl of freshly cooked noodles.
After finishing her al, Rory told Nix and Xarion about her plan to go find Yuel.
When Nix heard that she intended to keep the baby, he stared at her in shock.
"Rory... you an you’re really going to keep this child?"
Rory nodded. "Yes. I promised him in my dream. Since I gave my word, I have to keep it."
Besides...
He was her child too.
Such an adorable little baby.
Rory simply couldn’t bear the thought of letting him disappear.
Xarion, however, wasn’t surprised at all.
"If he can develop consciousness so early—and even enter dreams—then his talent must be extrely strong."
When the topic turned to the child’s talent, Nix couldn’t help feeling a little envious of Yuel.
"Yuel is really lucky," he said. "He hasn’t even formally bonded with Rory yet, and he already has a baby with such incredible talent."
When Yuel had called earlier, Nix hadn’t been in the room.
So he had no idea that raising this child would an Yuel couldn’t be intimate with Rory for three years.
But Xarion knew.
When he heard Nix praising Yuel’s good fortune, Xarion almost burst out laughing.
"Yuel might not think he’s that lucky."
If anything, he was probably crying right now.
Rory also rembered what Yuel had told her earlier—that Terry would have to hang from his vine for three years before he could transform into human form.
For so reason...
She suddenly felt a little sorry for him.
After helping Nix clear the table, Xarion returned and sat beside Rory.
Then he asked calmly, "Female Master... when are we going to deal with that rabbit?"
If they needed to reach Yuel before Rory’s flower blood, then they would have to depart within the next couple of days.
Rory had already made up her mind.
"The timing’s about right," she said calmly. "Let’s do it tonight."
After speaking, she sent a ssage to Jasper, reminding him to follow the plan—specifically to brief the family doctor and bring him to her room.
Rory had been asleep for three days and still hadn’t actually t this doctor.
According to Xarion, however, Jasper had already brought the physician to examine her twice during those three days—purely to make the act look more convincing.
After sending the ssage, Rory quickly checked her appearance to make sure everything looked appropriately sickly. Satisfied, she slipped back into bed.
Xarion followed and helped her lean against him.
Then he handed her the prop she had asked for—a handkerchief stained with blood.
Before long, Jasper entered Rory’s room with the family doctor.
Trailing behind them was Cotton Candy.
"Chirp!"
The mont Aren saw Rory, he rushed forward and leapt onto the bed, rubbing his head against her hand.
A flicker of joy crossed Rory’s eyes when she saw him.
"Cotton Candy, you ca."
Then suddenly she began coughing into the handkerchief.
"Cough—cough—cough..."
When she finished, Xarion cried out in alarm.
"Female Master—there’s blood on your handkerchief!"
"What?"
Jasper rushed to her side and grabbed her hand. The mont he saw the blood, his face turned deathly pale.
"Doctor!" he called urgently. "Rory coughed up blood!"
The scene was so convincing that if Jasper hadn’t warned him beforehand that Rory was only pretending to be sick, Keith might have been completely fooled.
Still, having accepted Jasper’s paynt, Keith had to play his role well.
He stepped forward imdiately, pulling out his instrunts to perform a rapid examination.
As a professional private physician, Keith was famous even in the Central District. His dical expertise was beyond question.
After running through a series of checks, he slowly lowered his equipnt, his face arranged into a look of deep regret.
The expression alone made Nix, Jasper, and Xarion’s hearts tighten.
"Dr. Keith... how is Rory?" Nix asked.
The mont he spoke, his eyes turned red. Keith sighed heavily and shook his head.
"I’m very sorry. My dical skills are insufficient. Rory’s condition... is worsening. If we cannot find a treatnt soon... she may only have one month left."
"That’s impossible!" Nix shouted. Covering his face, he burst into tears. "My Rory will be fine. She has to be! You quack doctor—get out!"
Still sobbing, he pushed Keith toward the door.
anwhile, Jasper dropped to his knees beside the bed, clutching Rory’s hand tightly.
"Rory, I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll find a way to save you."
Xarion added quietly, "Female Master, I’ll go search for a cure too."
With that, the two of them hurried out of the room.
Once they were gone, Rory turned toward the rabbit that still remained.
Now was the perfect mont. She raised a trembling hand and gently stroked the rabbit’s head.
"Cotton Candy..."
"Chirp!"
Female Master, don’t be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you.
Seeing her weak condition, Aren felt his heart twist with panic. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to obtain the Beast God Fruit as soon as possible.
Listening to the rabbit’s urgent cries, Rory suddenly said softly, "Cotton Candy... you’re not really an ordinary rabbit, are you? You’re a beastman... aren’t you?"
Aren froze. His body went rigid.
She... knew?
How had the Female Master discovered it?
Watching his reaction, Rory continued weakly, "I’ve known for a long ti. And I know why you stayed by my side."
Aren stared at her in shock.
Even through the rabbit’s eyes, his panic and confusion were painfully obvious.
He had believed he’d hidden his identity perfectly.
He had never shown a flaw.
So how had she found out?
"Cotton Candy, don’t be afraid," Rory murmured gently. "I’m not angry that you deceived . Honestly, I’ve been pretending not to know. I wanted to wait until you were ready to tell yourself. But you’ve seen my condition now... My ti is almost up."
She coughed again.
"Cough... cough..."
Her voice grew even weaker. "Cotton Candy... could you let see what you really look like? Just think of it as fulfilling one of my last wishes."
"Right now, the thing I’m most grateful for is that you’re not my partner... not my match... and not even my follower. That way... if I really do die... You’ll still be able to live your life well."
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