Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 26: Favoritism
After ending the call, Rory collapsed onto her bed, a wide, joyful smile spreading across her face. At long last, she had a mate—a companion in this vast, lonely interstellar expanse.
The sense of isolation that had weighed on her heart for so long finally lifted. In this enormous universe, she would no longer be truly alone. That night, her excitement refused to let her rest. Sleep came slowly, each moment filled with thoughts of Jasper and the promise of their future together.
The next morning, Dax sat on the couch, waiting patiently until 8:30 in the morning, when Rory finally descended the stairs, dark circles under her eyes betraying the late hour she had kept.
"Female Master, didn’t you sleep well last night?" Dax asked, confusion etching his sharp features. Could it really be that she had lost sleep over that ridiculous snake therian?
Rory shook her head lightly, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "I just went to bed a little late," she said, her tone carrying warmth. Her thoughts drifted to Jasper, and she couldn’t help the small grin forming on her face. "It’s fine, I’ll catch up on sleep later."
Without another word, she moved toward the kitchen, her steps light but purposeful. Dax followed silently, observing her with a mix of curiosity and admiration. Rory’s movements were fluid, almost effortless, as she set to work preparing breakfast. The aromas from sizzling pans and fragrant herbs filled the room, making Dax swallow hard.
"What... what are you making, Female Master? It smells incredible," he asked, his eyes wide as he tried to take in the unfamiliar smells.
Rory’s mood was bright and cheerful as she replied, "This is made with herbs—called a pancake. This is bacon, and these are dumplings made with beast meat and herbs."
Dax blinked, unfamiliar with the dishes, yet unable to resist the intoxicating smells. His gaze lingered on her hopefully. "Female Master... may I try some?"
"Of course," Rory replied with a nod, a playful glimmer in her eyes. Fishing always required bait. She carefully handed him half a piece of bacon and a small pancake.
"I’m sneaking these to you. Eat quietly, and don’t let Paros see. He paid star coins for this meal, so it wouldn’t be right if he caught you eating it. And remember, this is a one-time treat—I can’t do this again."
Dax stared at the tiny portion, barely enough to satisfy a bite. His lips twitched in frustration, but he knew better than to demand more. This little female is impossible to handle, he thought.
"Thank you, Female Master," he said sincerely, taking the plate with both hands and looking at her with genuine gratitude. Rory simply smiled and returned to her cooking, unbothered by his longing gaze.
Dax cautiously took a bite of the pancake first. The herbs mingled perfectly, soft and fragrant, with the sauce adding a richness that made his senses reel. The bacon paired with it was heavenly, an explosion of flavors unlike anything he had ever tasted. He devoured it quickly, though still yearning for more, staring at Rory as if begging silently.
Rory, however, had already served Paros his portion. Observing Dax’s expectant look, she shook her head gently but firmly. "I can’t give you more. If you want to eat, you’ll have to pay like Paros. As the female master here, I cannot show favoritism. Do you understand?"
Dax’s jaw clenched as he watched Paros eat calmly at the table. Fine, he decided. He would abstain. With nutrient fluid at his disposal, hunger was not a concern. No star coin is leaving me today, he thought stubbornly.
"Female Master, I promise I’ll never make things difficult for you," he said, his voice firm. "I’ll work hard to earn my keep, so I can ensure I get to eat in this house properly."
After speaking, he resisted the urge to hand over star coins immediately and retreated to his room. He opened a vial of nutrient fluid, the highest quality he owned—but after tasting Rory’s cooking, even this felt bland and unfulfilling. He set it down with a sigh. Nothing compared to her cooking.
After breakfast, Rory turned her attention to Paros. "Tomorrow, I’ll be heading out to hunt beasts," she said calmly, her tone matter-of-fact. "I won’t be back for a week, so I won’t be able to cook for you or provide mental comfort during that time."
Paros frowned slightly. "You’re going alone?"
"I won’t be alone," Rory replied confidently. "Dax will accompany me."
She’s taking him with her?
Paros raised an eyebrow, doubtful. "Do you really think that fox will be able to protect you?"
Dax, despite possessing strength at Rank Eight, deliberately limited himself to Rank Five around Rory, clearly preferring to avoid doing any real work.
Rory’s gaze hardened. "I don’t need him to protect me. I can handle myself," she said firmly, surprising even Dax. He hadn’t expected her to speak so boldly in her own defense—he knew she didn’t rely on anyone’s protection, and in truth, he suspected she didn’t care whether he lived or died.
After finishing her breakfast, Rory made her way straight to the training room. With tomorrow’s hunt looming, she wanted to be in peak condition before departure. Before entering, she quickly activated her light-brain to send a message to Jasper.
Rory: Jasper, I’m heading to train now. The training room has no signal. If you need me, send a message—I’ll reply when I’m done.
Her tone with Jasper was completely different from how she spoke to Dax. With him, she was casual, often playful or teasing. With Jasper, she responded sincerely to every message, leaving no room for him to feel ignored.
Meanwhile, as Jasper boarded the starrail, he noticed her message and couldn’t help but grin. Rory’s thoughtfulness was clear—she included him in everything, even the simplest routines. Despite never having met in person, he felt valued and secure in the knowledge that he already held a meaningful place in her heart.
