Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 174: Princess dress

"You’ve been asleep for three days."

It was normal. A female’s first bonding could be exhausting—sleeping longer afterward wasn’t unusual.

As long as her aura was steady and she was safe, that was what mattered.

"I slept for three days?"

Rory stared at Nix in disbelief. The last time she had slept that long was three years ago—after spending seven days and nights in the forest without rest, hunting aberrant beasts for their cores.

"Where’s Jasper?"

Of course she would ask about him first.

Nix suppressed the faint sourness in his chest and replied, "He’s in Vincent’s study. Do you want to see him? I can call him over."

He was already reaching for his light-brain.

"No need." Rory shook her head quickly. Just knowing where Jasper was, was enough.

She lowered her gaze to her chest.

Beneath Vincent’s firebird mark now rested a small violet-black serpent—the symbol of her bond with Jasper.

It looked quiet. Composed. Almost solemn.

"Nix, I’m a little hungry. Let’s go to the kitchen and make something."

After sleeping so long, even though they must have fed her nutrient supplements, her stomach still felt empty.

"Yuel already prepared food," Nix said quickly. "He said since you slept so long, you shouldn’t eat anything too greasy. It’s all light and mild dishes."

"I’ll bring it up."

Rory had just awakened—she needed to conserve her strength.

Vincent and Yuel had already declared she must rest for at least two days after this bonding.

Even though Nix was anxious—aching with impatience—he would endure it for her sake.

He knew Vincent and Yuel were even more impatient than he was.

He had just reached the bedroom doorway when Yuel walked in, carrying a tray.

Nix immediately stepped aside to let him pass.

For the past three days, they had taken turns staying home, guarding Rory and rotating cooking duties—preparing fresh meals every two hours, afraid she might wake up hungry.

Following behind Yuel was Cotton Candy—dressed in a white princess gown, with a sparkling gemstone hair clip perched between her ears.

"Rory, you’re awake."

Yuel set the tray down and approached her swiftly.

His fingers rested lightly against her wrist as he sent a gentle flow of energy into her body, carefully checking her condition.

Rory watched him quietly.

Only after confirming there was nothing wrong did Yuel truly relax.

When he withdrew his hand, she smiled.

"Don’t worry. I feel great. Like I’m bursting with energy."

Yuel’s lips curved faintly. "While you were sleeping, I fed you several of my blossoms."

Her eyes widened in delight. "You bloomed again?"

He nodded with a soft smile.

"Tonight, will you keep me company? You can help me pick them. Vincent already said you need two full days of rest. I’ll just stay with you. Nothing else."

During these two days of rest, who got to accompany her would depend entirely on their own abilities.

Vincent really was thoughtful.

Rory nodded. "Then it’s settled. I’ll help you tonight."

Nix could only stare bitterly. If only he could bloom flowers too.

After washing up, Rory sat down at the table.

Immediately, a small white-clad figure leapt into her lap.

"Cotton Candy?"

She stared at the rabbit in the princess dress and jeweled clip, the corner of her mouth twitching.

In the forest, she had asked Jasper. He had confirmed Cotton Candy was male.

So why was he dressed like a little princess?

"Squeak!"

Aren had spent the last three days under Yuel’s supervision, with no opportunity to approach her.

He had thought Xarion was perverse. Turns out the Commander was worse.

He might be in rabbit form—but he was still male.

Yuel knew that. And yet he dressed him in a skirt and hair accessories.

Aren was losing his mind.

He lifted watery eyes toward Rory.

"Squeak!"

Female Master, you’re finally awake. Please keep me by your side.

At this rate, he feared he might actually lose control and kill Yuel.

"Rory, doesn’t he look lovely?"

Yuel smiled warmly. "You have no idea—he absolutely adores dressing like this."

"Really?" Rory studied the rabbit in her arms.

Well... You really couldn’t deny it. A soft pink rabbit in a white princess dress, adorned with a glittering clip... It was ridiculously adorable.

Heart-meltingly so.

"As long as Cotton Candy likes it." She stroked his head fondly. "You look beautiful."

Beautiful? Was that praise?

Aren’s eyes shifted thoughtfully.

The Commander understood the Female Master’s preferences surprisingly well.

The dress was excellent. The hair clip was even better.

He rather liked sparkly things.

***

Downstairs, in the study, Vincent had been staring at Jasper for nearly half an hour.

"You’re certain your sudden surge in power is related to bonding with Rory?"

Jasper nodded firmly.

"After I advanced in Rank, I didn’t absorb any beast cores. My power stabilized at early Rank Ten. But after bonding with Rory, not only did my mental strength completely stabilize—my abilities increased significantly. At this rate, I might break through Rank Ten and reach Rank Eleven within a year."

Vincent knew Rory’s true identity as human.

That was why Jasper dared to tell him. Sooner or later, Vincent would discover it himself.

Vincent frowned.

"I’ve only heard that the blood of a human female can advance a male’s Rank. I’ve never heard of bonding alone strengthening abilities."

Currently, only Vincent, Jasper, and Yuel knew Rory was human.

Nix didn’t.

Xarion didn’t.

Jasper wasn’t worried about Vincent or Yuel.

He was worried about Nix and Xarion.

Not because he distrusted Nix—but because Nix was too simple. Too straightforward.

Someone with ill intent could exploit him.

As for Xarion...

That wolf was difficult to read.

He appeared indifferent, half-dead, uninterested in competing... But he had his methods.

Vincent wasn’t concerned about Nix. No matter how simple he was, he would know this was something that could never be revealed.

It was Xarion who concerned him. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

After a moment’s thought, Vincent said, "Call Yuel in later. I’ll handle Nix. As for Xarion—leave him to Yuel."

When it came to handling delicate matters, Yuel was a professional.

Meanwhile, Yuel was by the artificial lake with Rory, feeding the fish.

She had just woken and wanted some fresh air. She had intended to ask Nix to accompany her, but he had returned to the Lion-Tiger Clan for something.

She scattered fish feed into the water. As schools of fish swarmed forward, she frowned.

"Yuel... have you noticed? There are fewer fish in the lake."

Previously, when she fed them, a thick silver mass would gather. Now, there were barely a third of what there used to be.

Yuel had been watching her, not the lake. At her words, he finally glanced toward the water.

"You’re right. There are fewer."

She set the remaining feed aside thoughtfully.

"Could an aberrant beast have appeared in the lake and eaten them?"

There were sea beasts in the ocean. Freshwater had its own aberrant species.

"I’ll have it checked."

Yuel immediately summoned several members of the guard to investigate.