Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 104: Blue cat mask

(Please keep in mind that Prince Vincent is known outside the court as "Kather"––it’s his code name to avoid unnecessary attention.)

Rory gently passed Burnt Dumpling into Nix’s hands, then turned to Jasper with a small, anticipatory smile.

"Could you walk me over to the lounge?" she asked softly. "I need to change."

Jasper nodded at once. "I’ll change as well."

Across the room, Lola Brandon glanced at the little bird—now casually tucked into Nix’s pocket—then rose gracefully to her feet with her two companions close behind her.

"We’ll go prepare too," she said lightly.

Nix’s attention, however, never left Rory. His gaze followed her until she disappeared toward the inner lounge, so focused that he didn’t notice Burnt Dumpling quietly wriggle free from his pocket and slip after Lola with quick, silent hops.

Barely three minutes later, the moment Lola stepped into the private lounge, she spun around and shoved her two mates straight back out the door.

"I can change by myself," she said firmly. "Neither of you is allowed in."

She shut the door with a decisive click, then turned toward the corner of the room, hands on her hips, eyes sparkling with unmistakable mischief.

"Well, well," she said brightly, crouching down. "And what do we have here? Whose little ugly bird decided to follow me?"

"Chirp!"

The sound was sharp and irritated.

Kather was in no mood to answer. He had known it the instant she looked at him earlier—she had recognized him immediately. And instead of calling him out, she had deliberately teased him in front of Rory just to stir things up.

When Lola saw the fury practically radiating off his round little body, she laughed softly, scooped him up, and placed him gently on a nearby shelf, meeting his glare head-on.

A soft crimson glow gathered in her palm and flowed into his body like warm embers sinking into ash.

"Alright, alright," she said gently. "Don’t be angry. I was teasing—I swear. I just... I couldn’t believe it was really you."

Her expression softened as she studied him more closely.

"Honestly, look at you. No female in the universe would find this form attractive," she added bluntly. "You care about Rory, don’t you? And I’m guessing you’d rather she never know that this chubby little bird is actually you."

Kather remained silent for a moment, absorbing the energy she had given him. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and restrained.

"Why did you leave the Central District?" he asked. "Did you bring any holy medicine that can restore me immediately?"

By holy medicine, he meant the Beast God Flower.

Aurelia possessed several fully matured ones—rare, priceless, and fiercely guarded.

"I came looking for you," Lola replied without hesitation. "When word spread that you’d disappeared, I was terrified. I did bring the medicine, but..." She hesitated and then sighed. "There’s only half a petal left."

She pulled an ornate box from her storage band and opened it carefully. Inside lay half of a softly glowing Beast God Flower petal, its light pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.

"Vincent, your injuries are severe," she said quietly. "This won’t heal you completely. It’ll only keep you stable for a while. You should come back to Aurelia with me. Once you’re home, you can recover properly."

Kather shook his head without a second of hesitation.

"I’m staying with Rory for now. I’m not leaving yet." His gaze hardened with resolve. "Give me the half petal. When Rory reaches the Central District, find a way to bring her to Aurelia. I’ll return with her."

Lola’s eyes widened, already brimming with scandalous imagination.

"Don’t tell me," she whispered dramatically, "you actually want Rory to become my sister-in-law? I like her—really—but she’s not your destined match. Are you seriously planning to become her follower first?"

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You do remember you’re Aurelia’s second prince, right? Mother will never approve."

"That’s my decision," Kather said coldly. "And I’ll make her approve."

He had never sought permission in his life—not even from the Queen of Aurelia herself.

Lola recognized that tone instantly. Once Kather made up his mind, nothing could sway him.

Smiling faintly, she reached out to ruffle his head—an incredibly rare indulgence.

The glare he shot her made her snatch her hand back instantly.

"Vincent," she said carefully, "you really shouldn’t let Rory know who you are right now. Honestly... you look terrible. If you do become her follower and she ever wants to get close, the thought of kissing you like this might completely ruin the mood."

"Enough," he snapped. "Say one more word and you’ll regret it."

She always knew exactly where to strike.

Lola pouted. "I was just trying to help."

Ignoring her, Kather swallowed the half petal of the Beast God Flower. Light shimmered briefly through his small body before fading. He turned toward the door.

Before leaving, he paused and said quietly, "This stays a secret. Don’t let Rory find out that Burnt Dumpling is me."

Lola nearly burst out laughing.

Still pretending, she thought. You’re just terrified she’ll find you disgusting.

Not that she blamed him.

Outside, Rory had already changed into her gown.

Every female attending the masquerade was required to wear a mask—most styled after their beast forms.

Rory stared at the others uneasily. "I didn’t know there was going to be a ball," she said, twisting her fingers nervously. "I don’t have a mask that represents a beast. Maybe... maybe I shouldn’t go."

Showing up bare-faced while everyone else wore masks would draw far too much attention—exactly what she wanted to avoid.

"Don’t worry, Female Master," Nix said confidently.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a delicately crafted blue cat mask, its surface smooth and elegant, ears softly curved.

"I made this just now," he added. "It’s modeled after the female Ravaryn form."

Rory’s eyes lit up. "It’s beautiful."

She took the mask and slipped it on.

The soft blue feline shape framed her face perfectly, accentuating her gentle features. Combined with her petite figure, the effect was devastatingly adorable.

Both Jasper and Nix went still for a moment, struck by the sight.

Rory, unaware of their thoughts, smiled behind the mask—ready at last to step into the masquerade.