Chapter 137: Chapter 137 Simulator Results

Kaelen’s POV

"She doesn’t need you," I fired back at Julian.

"That’s not your decision to make," Julian snapped.

I simply arched an eyebrow. "Virtual Battlefield Simulator results speak for themselves. General Julian, you lost."

The final standings read: me at the top, followed by Alistair, Finnian, Silas, Julian, then Dorian bringing up the rear.

Barrett had somehow snagged MVP with his underhanded tactics.

"That rabbit already prepped the pods," I told Julian. "Got complaints? We can run it back."

"You think I’m backing down?" Julian scoffed.

Five measly points separated us. One clean hit could flip everything.

Julian flexed his fingers, cracking his knuckles.

But he wasn’t one to nurse grudges. Besides, Elara had already planted one on him.

He made sure his dismissive snort carried, then stormed off.

I let out my own scoff. When I faced Elara again, my expression melted. "Stomach still bothering you?"

"Nah. Just drained," Elara replied.

"Too wiped to eat, but energized enough to stir up drama," I muttered, spooning more food toward her mouth. I hadn’t even bothered switching out of my uniform—just planted myself bedside, feeding her one bite at a time.

She used to be the caretaker. Finally, my turn to return the favor.

"Come on, you’re totally jealous. I can feel it radiating off you." Elara grabbed my face with both palms, smearing her oily lips across my cheeks.

I gave up completely.

She never follows the script. I figured calling her out would make her retreat, but she doubled down instead. And those lips—they’re like venom, turning my knees to jelly.

"You’ve mastered the art of getting under my skin," I admitted.

Elara grinned, pleased with herself.

Damn. My voice just went husky. Perfect.

"I’m bunking here tonight," I announced, placing the bowl aside. I slipped off the bed and knelt beside her, brushing a kiss against her knuckles.

Elara’s throat worked as she swallowed hard.

This position. This angle. I’m definitely championship material. Hell, we all are.

Kneeling there, my eyes widened. First time actually being in her space.

I couldn’t hide the hunger in my eyes. She saw right through my serious act.

"Want something?" she asked.

Heat flooded my face. I managed a tiny, sheepish nod.

"So this whole ’staying the night’ thing—just a cover story?"

"No way, I’m serious," I rushed to explain. "Females get vulnerable during their cycles. Someone might misread the situation..."

My words faded as my ears burned crimson.

"You misreading it?" Elara pressed.

I shook my head firmly. "Never. I’m not some beast."

I meant every word. I understood the distinction between period symptoms and heat cycles.

"That’s my top-tier husband." Elara pinched my chin, stroking it with her thumb before passing me a "bee-dog" stuffed animal. "Your prize."

I released a shaky laugh. "Really treating me like your personal pet, aren’t you?"

"Want it or not?" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Absolutely." I clutched it protectively, worried she might snatch it back.

I adored these hideous plushies scattered around her room—even more grotesque than mine.

"Hold up—so you rejected mine before because they weren’t hideous enough?" Understanding hit me like a brick.

Elara nodded without shame. She grabbed her phone to work on some schedule, then switched to her light interface when the screen proved too cramped.

All the husbands, complete rotation coverage. She pulled up the combat stats, organizing by total damage dealt.

Barrett claimed the crown. Methodology aside—he’d earned first place.

The replay was comedy gold. Guy skulked around like a ghost, all backstabs and cheap shots, even betraying allies mid-fight.

Alistair was the real monster—facing six opponents simultaneously while maintaining his ranking.

He absorbed punishment, sure, but bounced back instantly. So the Virtual Battlefield Simulator ran purely on mental strength.

I secured second place, Alistair third. Finnian and Silas’s scores were practically twins—differing by 0.0001. Finnian squeezed ahead slightly. Probably because Barrett’s surprise attack left Silas rattled, preventing him from unleashing everything.

The completed schedule ranked Barrett first, me second, Alistair third, Finnian fourth, Silas fifth, Julian sixth, Dorian seventh.

Barrett had systematically demolished everyone—Dorian especially. Julian just got caught in the crossfire. Silas and Finnian suffered plenty too.

Obviously, whoever the system crowned MVP was legitimately dangerous.

The instant she uploaded the schedule to group chat, pandemonium broke loose.

Petalforu struck first. Finnian sent: "Ambush tactics count now?"

Thydestiny typed: "Absolutely shameless."

Beastsoul texted: "First place is first place."

Petalprovidence messaged: "You troublemakers. Send your profile cards. Need to tag you all properly."