Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 42: Uneasy

"When we get back home, I’ll make it for you," Rory said with an easy smile, her tone light and sincere. If others were allowed to taste her cooking, then there was no reason Jasper couldn’t as well.

In fact, Jasper was the one she wanted to cook for the most.

Satisfied, Jasper immediately shot Dax a smug, victorious glance.

"With Rory around," he said smoothly, "I’ll have plenty of chances to enjoy all those dishes you were bragging about."

Dax froze for half a second, staring at him.

What’s so special about this guy? Why does Rory care so much about him? The thought gnawed at him, sharp and uncomfortable. He couldn’t get it.

By then, the meat was finally done. Jasper moved quickly, selecting the best-looking cuts and offering them to Rory with an expectant look.

"Rory, try this," he urged. "Tell me—does my roast taste good?"

Not to be outdone, Dax immediately slid his own freshly grilled meat toward her.

"Female Master, try mine too! Try mine too!"

Rory glanced down at the two generous plates of fragrant barbecue, then up at the two men watching her like eager predators waiting for approval. Whoever she praised less was bound to sulk—and probably brood about it for hours. After a brief pause, she grabbed her own plate and carefully picked a piece from each man’s offering instead.

She tasted Jasper’s first, then Dax’s.

Her eyes lit up with genuine delight as she chewed.

"Delicious," she said honestly. "Both of you did an amazing job. It’s even better than what I usually make."

Jasper’s eyes brightened instantly. Without hesitation, he pushed all the meat he was holding toward her.

"Rory, you can have all of this. I’ll just grill more."

Dax, who had been about to take a bite himself, paused mid-motion. Sly bastard! He really knows how to win favor with a female.

There was no way he was losing this round. He immediately shoved his own plate toward Rory as well.

"Female Master, take mine too. There’s plenty—if you eat this, I’ll just make more. You’ve worked hard, so you need a lot of nourishment."

Between the two of them, they were offering her more than ten catties of roasted meat. Rory blinked, then gently took a small portion from each plate, transferring it to her own. She pushed the rest back toward them.

"This is more than enough for me," she said firmly. "You two eat the rest."

Jasper frowned as he looked at the small amount she’d taken.

"Rory, why are you eating so little?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice. "No wonder you’re so slim. Are you not in the mood for barbecue? Just tell me what you want—I’ll get it for you."

Whatever Rory wants, I’ll find it for her. He thought to himself. Now that he was with her, she would never go on starving!

Dax, who had been with her for days now, knew she always ate modest portions. Still, seeing it laid out like this made him uneasy. Was it a habit? Or... had she once gone without enough food and it had made her frugal?

That thought made his chest tighten. Without another word, he pulled several vials of high-grade nutrient fluid from his band and placed them neatly in front of her.

"Female Master, these taste good," he said earnestly. "If you’re not in the mood for barbecue, try these. And if you want anything else—anything at all—just say the word. Jasper and I will get it."

They were males. Letting a female go hungry was unthinkable.

Seeing the seriousness on both of their faces, Rory immediately realized they’d misunderstood. She waved her hands hurriedly.

"No, no, that’s not it. I really do love barbecue," she said quickly. "I just don’t eat much. This is plenty for me. If I get hungry later, I’ll tell you, I promise."

After all, as a pure human, her stomach simply wasn’t that large. Two catties of beast meat, plus a few apple-sized mutant fruits, was already a feast for her.

In fact, since coming here, she’d been eating better than she ever had before.

"Go ahead and eat," she added cheerfully, popping a piece of meat into her mouth. "Don’t worry about me."

The lightly seasoned roast was tender and juicy, with just the right amount of chew. Seventh-tier beast meat—something she’d rarely had the chance to eat before. Truly, having companions made life better in ways she hadn’t expected. For the first time in a long while, her days felt like they were finally turning around.

Because she ate so little, Rory finished quickly. Jasper and Dax were still eating when she stood up to wash her hands, conjuring clean water with her ability. After drying them, she headed toward the rest pod Jasper had prepared for her.

The pod was like a compact home—complete with a private bathroom, a cozy living area, and a warmly furnished bedroom. Jasper had mentioned he’d assembled it in a rush upon arrival and promised he’d prepare an even better one once they returned.

Rory had seen rest pods like this listed in the virtual mall before. Even the cheapest models cost over a hundred million star coins. Back when she was struggling just to survive, she wouldn’t have dared dream of owning something like this.

Now, glancing back at Jasper not far away, she smiled softly.

How nice. I’m not alone anymore. I finally have someone by my side.

Just as Rory reached the door and raised her hand to open it, a sudden chill crawled up her spine—a sharp, instinctive warning, as if something unseen and dangerous had fixed its gaze on her.

She spun around abruptly, heart pounding.

There was nothing.

Not far away, Jasper and Dax were still calmly grilling meat, laughing softly. Gina and her partner nearby showed no sign of alarm either, their expressions relaxed and unaware.

Yet the uneasy feeling lingered, faint but unmistakable, like a shadow just beyond her vision.