Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 142: Claim what should have been his.

Inside the manor, Rory carried the birthday cake she had made that afternoon over to Vincent.

"Vincent, I made this birthday cake today. Try it and tell me if it tastes good?"

The moment he heard the words birthday cake, Vincent understood. This was something she had prepared specifically for his mother.

He cut a small slice and tasted it.

The cake melted on his tongue—soft, airy, delicately sweet. The texture was lighter than anything he had ever eaten before, the fragrance rich yet gentle.

He had never tasted anything so special. Nor anything so good.

He set the plate aside and pulled Rory into his arms, holding her tightly, as if he wished he could press her into his very blood and bones. His voice was thick, almost unsteady.

"Rory... thank you."

Yesterday, she had already prepared dishes that her mother loved. Today, she had prepared gifts and even learned to bake this cake from scratch.

She did not have to go to such lengths.

But for him, she did. How could he not be moved?

Rory wrapped her arms around his waist. "You’re my partner. We’re one. Your family is my family. Doing this for your mother makes me happy."

Her words stirred something fierce and overwhelming in him.

Vincent cupped her face and kissed her deeply.

He could not put into words what he was feeling. He only knew that meeting Rory in this lifetime was the greatest fortune he had ever received.

Even if, one day, she gained new partners and gradually lost some of her passion for him... He would remain her most loyal believer.

Forever.

"Female Master, dinner’s ready—" Nix emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron and holding a spatula. He froze at the sight in the dining room and quickly covered his face with the spatula.

Rory gently pushed Vincent away and whispered in his ear.

"Tonight, after I soothe Xarion and finish training, I’ll come to your room. Tell me about the customs of the Firebird Clan."

She was worried about embarrassing herself at the Firebird Empress’s birthday banquet.

After all, the Firebird Clan was the foremost royal clan of the Central District. She had to be careful.

Vincent smiled softly. "I’ll be waiting."

He then headed into the kitchen to help Nix bring out the dishes.

The moment Vincent stepped inside, Nix grabbed his wrist. "I saw you kissing the Female Master."

Vincent lowered his gaze to the paw gripping him and asked lazily, "And?"

Nix lifted his chin, righteous and serious. "So tomorrow, when we go to the Firebird Clan, you have to take me with you. I’ll stay by the Female Master’s side."

"Otherwise," he added boldly, "I’ll tell Yuel and the others that you secretly kissed her."

Vincent nearly laughed.

The little lion-tiger had even attempted blackmail.

Unfortunately, he didn’t quite know how to do it properly.

"Fine," Vincent said calmly. "You can come."

He had planned to bring them anyway. Honestly, how had the Lion-Tiger Clan raised him so innocent?

"Really?" Nix’s eyes lit up. "Your Highness, you’re amazing! I knew you wouldn’t retaliate just because I treated you poorly before."

Vincent: "..."

If Nix weren’t Rory’s partner, Vincent might have kicked him straight into the outer domains.

***

That night, Jasper did not come down for dinner.

He had already messaged Rory—he wouldn’t be leaving his room for a while. He intended to break through to Rank Ten as soon as possible.

Rory felt both heartache and pride.

She would work hard too.

After returning from the Firebird Empress’s birthday celebration, she would devote herself to training and strive to reach Rank Six quickly.

***

After dinner, Vincent directed the simulation robots to clean the kitchen.

Nix sat with Rory on the sofa, scrolling through their light screens, waiting for Xarion and Yuel to return.

They did not keep her waiting long.

Less than half an hour later, the door opened. Xarion entered first and immediately collapsed onto the sofa, lifeless as ever.

He looked like someone who had already died once and simply hadn’t bothered to lie down properly.

Yuel followed behind him and gently kissed Rory’s cheek. "It’s taken care of. Dax shouldn’t try anything clever again."

When Yuel handled something, Rory felt at ease. She didn’t ask about Dax.

"There’s food in the kitchen for you. Go eat."

Xarion shook his head weakly. "Not hungry. I had a nutrient solution."

Yuel, however, enjoyed real food. "I’ll eat first, Rory. I’ll come back after."

Once Yuel left, Rory walked over to Xarion and pulled him up. "Come on. To your room. I’ll soothe you."

Xarion opened his eyes slowly. "Female Master... you don’t have to force yourself. I’m fine."

Vincent had told him that the last time Rory soothed him, she had completely exhausted her mental energy and fainted.

He did not want that to happen again.

"You’re in my house. You follow my rules." Rory didn’t argue further. She dragged him to his room.

The temperature inside was normal today.

But the room was stark.

No bed.

Only a crystal coffin in the center.

Minimalistic.

Cold.

Almost eerie.

Was this... underworld décor?

"Lie down."

Xarion obediently lay inside the coffin. "Female Master, I’m ready."

Rory stepped forward and placed her finger against his brow. Her mental energy flowed into his mental sea.

The ice spikes she had destroyed last time had only partially regrown.

She felt a flicker of hope. If this continued, she might eventually clear them all.

And if the ice spikes disappeared... Would his sense of taste and smell return? Would he stop feeling half-dead all the time?

Would he... stop wanting to die?

With more control this time, she shaped her mental energy into the small fire snake again. It darted forward and began devouring the ice spikes.

It consumed slightly more than before.

Her mental energy did not collapse this time.

When the snake finally burst, melting what it had swallowed, Rory withdrew her power.

"How do you feel?"

Xarion closed his eyes, sensing himself carefully. "...A little better."

Better than yesterday morning.

"That means it’s working," Rory said with satisfaction. "The effect is small, but we’ll build it up slowly. I’ll fix your mental sea. I promise."

"Thank you, Female Master." Seeing the quiet happiness in her eyes, Xarion found the corners of his own lips lifting slightly.

After Rory left, he lay back inside the crystal coffin and closed his eyes.

Rory returned to her own training room.

She absorbed two beast cores, then released her abilities to test her current Rank Five strength.

After tomorrow’s banquet, she would go into the Central District forest and challenge a few Rank Six beasts.

Two hours later, she finished, showered, changed clothes, and went to find Vincent.

***

Meanwhile, in a remote castle, a subordinate stepped out of the shadows. "Second Young Master, everything has been arranged. The Shadow Clan will lure Vincent and Xarion away."

Aris nodded in satisfaction. "We can’t act at the Firebird Empress’s banquet. Too many high-ranked males will be present. We’ll strike when they return."

"And remember—no mistakes."

He glanced down at the tattered combat uniform he wore and frowned in disgust.

He could not understand why Aren enjoyed scavenging in the outer domains, dressing like this every day.

Looking at it made Aris feel nauseated.

Tomorrow... He would return as Aren.

And claim what should have been his.