Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 143: Empress Matriarch

The Firebird Clan.

Rory stepped down from the aircraft wearing the formal gown Vincent had specially prepared for her.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she lifted her eyes—and nearly forgot to breathe.

Before her, suspended among rolling clouds, stood a palace so magnificent it seemed unreal, as though she had wandered into a celestial realm.

White jade steps cascaded downward like a stairway to the heavens.

Golden rooftops pierced through drifting mist. From the sweeping eaves hung rows of delicate golden chimes that swayed in the wind, though they were so high above that not even a whisper of sound reached the ground.

The Firebird Clan truly deserved its title as the foremost clan of the Central District.

The grandeur was overwhelming.

"Big Sister-in-law! Big Brother! You’re finally here!"

Lola Brandon, who had clearly been waiting for them, rushed forward the moment she spotted Rory and Vincent.

When she saw Rory in her gown, her eyes widened in pure admiration.

"Big Sis, you’re looking stunning today."

"You’re beautiful too," Rory replied with a smile.

Lola was dressed in a blazing red gown. Her features were bold and radiant to begin with; wrapped in that fiery color, her presence was dazzling and unrestrained.

Grinning, Lola grabbed Rory’s hand.

"Come, come! I’ll take you to see Empress Matriarch. She’s been looking forward to you and my brother since yesterday."

Then she glanced at Vincent and leaned closer to Rory, lowering her voice.

"Big Sis, I already checked earlier. Among the young powerhouses who arrived today, there are a few who are unbelievably handsome. After we greet Empress Matriarch, I’ll take you to have a look."

She paused, eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Especially that one from the Nine-Tailed Sky Fox Clan—Lian. He’s ridiculously good-looking."

She darted another glance at Vincent and whispered, "Even better-looking than my brother."

Vincent was already one of the most striking men Rory had ever seen.

Better-looking than him?

Vincent shot Lola a sharp glare. Was she truly his biological sister? Daring to entice his Female Master to admire other men right in front of him?

"Rory, Lola has always liked to joke around. Don’t listen to her."

He tightened his hold on Rory’s hand, genuinely worried that his mischievous sister might corrupt his gentle Female Master.

Vincent instructed his chief guard to escort Jasper and the others to the banquet hall first.

Then he turned to Rory.

"Rory, I’ll take you to see Empress Matriarch and Father."

She nodded, following Vincent and Lola toward the inner palace.

***

Inside the grand hall, the Firebird Empress sat elegantly upon her throne, regal and imposing. Beside her were more than a dozen high-ranked male ability users.

Below them stood two orderly rows of young male warriors.

They were all members of the Firebird Clan, around their early twenties. Even the lowest among them was Rank Seven.

Broad shoulders. Narrow waists. Long legs.

Each more handsome than the last.

And all of them bare-chested.

The moment Rory and Vincent entered, every pair of eyes turned toward her.

Rory suddenly felt like an animal in a zoo being examined from all angles.

Beside her, Vincent’s expression darkened instantly. He had already said he didn’t need this.

And yet his mother had arranged it anyway.

"My little Vince is back." The Firebird Empress rose from her throne the instant she saw them and descended gracefully.

Though she was over three hundred years old, she looked no older than a stunning woman in her early thirties.

She stopped in front of Rory and examined her carefully before nodding with clear satisfaction.

"So you’re Rory? My Vince’s Female Master."

Rory inclined her head politely. "Greetings, Empress Matriarch. I’m Roanna Smith, but everyone calls me Rory. Happy birthday."

Vincent retrieved the gifts Rory had prepared from his spatial ring.

"Empress Matriarch, these are the gifts Rory prepared for you. The sea beasts and the birthday cake were all made by her personally."

The Firebird Empress took Rory’s hands, smiling warmly.

"You’re very thoughtful, Rory. I love these gifts."

The Firebird Clan lacked for nothing.

It wasn’t the gifts she valued.

It was the sincerity—and the way Rory cherished her son.

"I’m glad you like them," Rory replied softly.

Lola had already caught the rich aroma drifting from one of the containers. Unable to resist, she opened a box of sweet-and-spicy dried sea beast strips and sneaked a bite. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She froze.

Delicious.

Absolutely delicious.

"Empress Matriarch, this sea beast meat is amazing! You have to try it!"

There were no outsiders present, so Lola made no effort to maintain composure.

The Empress sampled a piece and nodded repeatedly. "Excellent."

She had never tasted sea beast meat like this—no trace of fishiness. A perfect balance of sweetness and heat.

"Rory, to be able to cook like this... you’re quite extraordinary."

Her approval deepened visibly.

Lola’s gaze then landed on the beautifully decorated cake. "What’s this? Is it food too?"

"It’s a birthday cake..." Rory explained its meaning and how it was meant to be eaten.

Both mother and daughter were delighted to learn not only was it beautiful, but it carried such warm symbolism.

"I’ll arrange it immediately," Lola said excitedly. "We’ll have Empress Matriarch blow out candles and make a wish at the banquet!"

Though the Empress’s birthday banquet was held annually, this was the first time they had ever seen such a cake.

Lola was already impatient to taste it.

***

"Rory, since you’ve given me such a wonderful gift, I must give you one in return." The Empress gently squeezed Rory’s hand and gestured toward the two rows of young men.

"These are the most promising and handsome young talents of the Firebird Clan. Choose a few you like and keep them by your side to ease your boredom."

Rory blinked.

Was this... normal, too? Who gives men as birthday gifts?

Vincent’s face had turned so dark it looked as though ink might drip from it.

He stepped forward, gripping Rory’s hand protectively.

"Empress Matriarch, Rory has me. She doesn’t need anyone else."

The Empress’s smile faded. "Vincent, are you trying to decide for your Female Master?"

He stiffened. He could resist his mother’s arrangements.

But he could never interfere with Rory’s choice.

One of the young Firebird warriors nearest to them stepped forward.

"Big Brother, we know you are Lady Rory’s partner. We’re not here to compete with you. We only wish to become her followers."

Others quickly chimed in.

"You can’t have a Female Master and leave us to die single, Big Brother."

"That’s right, Cousin. We won’t compete. We just want to stay by Lady Rory’s side."

These young elites were not fools.

If the Beast God had matched Vincent to Rory, then she must possess something extraordinary.

And after catching the fragrance of her cooking... Even if she had no other exceptional trait, that alone was enough reason to follow her.

Rory swept her gaze across them before speaking seriously to the Empress.

"Empress Matriarch, thank you for your kindness. But Vincent and the others are enough for me."

The Empress smiled faintly. "Are you certain?"

"I am." Rory’s voice was steady.

"I cannot promise Vincent will be my only partner for the rest of my life." She paused, then continued with solemn conviction: "But I swear before the Beast God that I will always love him, treat him well, and cherish him—until the day I die."

"Rory..." Vincent’s voice trembled, his eyes filled with emotion.

The Firebird Empress studied them for a long moment—then finally nodded in satisfaction.

"Very well. Since this is your choice, we won’t select anyone."

The matter was settled.