Interstellar Beastworld: Raising A Cub With My Mummy System!-Chapter 22: IS THIS A ROMANCE DRAMA?

She followed him without argument.

The seating area was perfect, a small balcony overlooking an indoor garden with artificial sunlight streaming down. Lin Yue sat down and watched as Uriel unpacked the food.

Steaming dumplings in a bamboo basket. A whole roasted duck, already carved, with plum sauce on the side. Two cups of a deep purple liquid that fizzled slightly.

She grabbed a dumpling and bit into it.

Her eyes closed. Her entire body stilled.

It was perfect. The wrapper was thin and chewy, the filling savory and juicy, the dipping sauce tangy and slightly sweet. It tasted exactly like the dumplings from the little shop near her university, the one she used to go to with friends after late classes.

"Oh my god." she whispered.

Uriel watched her, something flickering in his gold eyes. "Good?"

She did not answer. She grabbed another dumpling. Then another. Then she reached for the duck, tearing off a piece of the crispy skin and moaning softly.

"It is authentic." she said around a mouthful of food. "It tastes exactly like home."

"Trade routes are extensive. Some species have a natural affinity for recreating dishes from other cultures." Uriel picked up a dumpling and tried it himself. "This is good. I understand your reaction."

She grabbed the purple drink and took a sip. It was sweet and tart and slightly carbonated, unlike anything on Earth but somehow perfectly complementing the food.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Fermented moonfruit nectar. It is popular during warm weather." He watched her drink. "You like it?"

She took another sip. "I love it. This entire meal is the best thing that has happened to me since I woke up on this planet."

"That is a low bar."

She laughed, genuinely laughed, and reached for more duck. "True. But still."

Uriel sat back and watched her eat. He did not take any more food for himself, just sipped his own drink and observed.

Lin Yue noticed after a few minutes. "You are not eating?"

"I am watching."

"That is weird. Eat something."

"I am not hungry."

She grabbed a dumpling and held it out to him. "Eat."

He looked at the dumpling.

Then at her.

Before taking it.

She smiled and went back to her duck.

They sat like that for a while, Lin Yue devouring the food with enthusiasm and Uriel occasionally accepting another dumpling when she shoved one at him. The purple drink ran out and he ordered another without being asked.

When she finally leaned back, stuffed and happy, she let out a contented sigh.

"I have not eaten that well in... I do not know how long."

Uriel simply watched her, his gold eyes warm.

Lin Yue looked at him. "Thank you. For this. For everything today. I know you probably had important prince things to do, but you stayed with me the whole time."

"You asked me to come."

"I know. But you did not have to enjoy it."

He was quiet for a moment. Then, softly: "I did enjoy it."

She blinked. "Really?"

He looked away, out at the garden below. "I did not expect to. Shopping is usually tedious. But watching you discover things, watching you get excited over food and tiny clothes... it was quite refreshing to see." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Lin Yue felt her face warm. "That is... very sweet."

"I am not sweet."

"You just said watching me eat dumplings was enjoyable. That is sweet."

He did not respond, but his ears twitched in a way that might have been embarrassment.

She smiled and reached for one last dumpling. "Who would have thought the prince of Primus would spend his afternoon at a mall food court?"

"Who would have thought I would find myself enjoying it?" He glanced at her. "It is probably because I was with you."

She nearly choked on her dumpling.

Uriel looked mildly concerned. "Are you alright?"

"I am fine." She coughed. "You cannot just say things like that."

"Like what?"

"Like that. The thing you just said."

He tilted his head. "I said I enjoyed the day because I was with you. That is a simple observation."

"That is not a simple observation. That is a romantic line from a drama."

He looked genuinely confused. "Is it?"

She stared at him. He had no idea. He had absolutely no idea what he had just said.

[HE IS SERIOUS. HE DOES NOT KNOW. THIS IS FASCINATING.]

Lin Yue burst out laughing.

Uriel’s confusion deepened. "What is funny?"

"Nothing." She wiped her eyes. "You are just... you."

"I do not know if that is a compliment."

"It is." She stood up, feeling lighter than she had in days. "Come on. Let’s go home."

Uriel made a final check of his wrist-comm, scanning through the list of purchases one last time. The mall was castle-owned, which meant everything could be settled at a single central checkout rather than paying at each individual store. It made the process smoother, especially with an exhausted pregnant woman in tow.

They had spent quite a lot. The numbers scrolling across his display were significant by any standard. But for him, it was nothing. He could buy this entire mall and not notice the dent in his accounts.

Lin Yue sighed beside him, a heavy, tired sound. He looked over to see her staring down at her feet.

"Are you tired? You keep yawning."

She nodded, wincing as she shifted her weight. "Mhm. My feet are swollen so it is a bit difficult to walk."

He looked down. Her feet had indeed swollen, her ankles puffing above the sandals she wore. The pregnancy was progressing rapidly, and her body was struggling to keep up.

Before she could say another word, he bent down and lifted her into his arms.

She let out a surprised squeak. "Uriel! What are you doing? Put me down, I weigh a ton right now!"

"You are light." He adjusted his grip, the multiple bags hanging from one arm. "And even if you were not, carrying you and these bags is nothing."

She stared at him, her face flushed. "I am eight months pregnant. I’m definitely not light."

"Compared to a fully armored soldier in combat gear? You are light." He started walking toward the central checkout. "Stop arguing and relax."

She opened her mouth, probably to argue further, then closed it. The fight drained out of her and she slumped against his chest.

"Fine," she muttered. "But this is weird."

"What is weird about it?"

"You are carrying me through a mall like we’re in some kind of romance drama.."