Chapter 59: Shall We Sleep Together?

Sora set the last of the pottery in place before wiping the fine dust from her hands. Around the large round table, the beastmen had already claimed their seats as though it had become an unspoken tradition. No one mentioned leaving. Instead, they all wore the same expression—a mixture of patience and anticipation—as they waited for Sora to begin cooking.

Even Ryan, who had intended to leave after delivering the pottery, hesitated.

His gaze drifted over the neatly arranged table, then toward the outdoor kitchen where thin wisps of smoke curled into the air.

"..."

Without saying a word, he quietly pulled out a chair and sat down as well.

Ace noticed immediately and couldn’t help raising a brow.

"So the icy mermaid knows how to stay for a meal after all."

Ryan ignored him completely.

Seeing everyone seated, Sora walked toward the clay stove with a faint smile.

Today’s meal would need to feed more mouths than usual.

Besides herself and her five beast husbands, there was also the mysterious black bear who claimed to be her childhood fiancé.

Seven people.

Fortunately, several ingredients she had been preparing for days were finally ready.

The smoked cured meat hanging above the fire had dried perfectly.

She sliced off a generous portion with a stone knife. Thin ribbons of fragrant meat fell onto the wooden board, releasing an irresistible smoky aroma.

The moment the scent spread through the courtyard, every pair of ears around the table twitched.

Lucas swallowed unconsciously.

Ace leaned lazily against his chair, pretending not to care, but his nose betrayed him as he discreetly inhaled the delicious fragrance.

Even Ryan’s usually expressionless face softened ever so slightly.

Sora heated oil in the clay wok before tossing in chopped garlic leaves.

Sizzle!

The sharp aroma of garlic burst into the air.

She added the cured meat.

The fat immediately rendered, coating every slice with glistening oil as the meat curled and browned.

The rich fragrance spread through the courtyard so quickly that several nearby beastmen walking past instinctively stopped in their tracks.

"What is that smell?"

"It smells incredible..."

"I’ve never smelled anything like it."

Ignoring the gathering audience, Sora continued cooking methodically.

The remaining slab of cured meat was placed into another clay pot to steam slowly, allowing its natural smoky flavor to deepen.

"Lucas."

Lucas instantly stood.

"Yes?"

"Catch one of the chickens."

He nodded enthusiastically before disappearing in a blur.

A few minutes later, he returned carrying a plump wild chicken.

Sora cleaned it, rubbed it with fragrant herbs, salt, wild pepper, and mushroom powder before wrapping it tightly inside broad lotus leaves.

She coated the bundle with wet clay.

"This goes into the fire."

Lucas carefully buried the clay-wrapped chicken beneath the hot coals exactly as instructed.

The delicious lotus leaf chicken would slowly roast while they prepared everything else.

"Ryan."

The silver-haired mermaid looked up.

"Could you catch another fish?"

Ryan paused.

Without a word, he stood.

Moments later, a large river fish landed beside the kitchen with a splash.

"..."

Ace clicked his tongue.

"The cold fish actually listens."

Ryan didn’t even spare him a glance.

Sora smiled helplessly before cleaning the fish.

Half became mushroom fish soup.

The other half she chopped into bite-sized pieces before coating them lightly with starch and frying them until golden.

Afterward, she stir-fried them with sweet sauce, wild peppers, garlic, and fragrant herbs.

The glossy braised fish released such an enticing aroma that even Xavier unconsciously licked his lips.

Soon the remaining dishes followed one after another.

Freshly picked wild vegetables were stir-fried with garlic.

Wild onions and bird eggs became a fluffy golden omelet.

Braised pork ribs simmered until the meat nearly fell off the bone.

Sweet potatoes were coated in caramelized honey until they glistened like amber.

Black fungus was stir-fried with thin slices of meat.

Fresh mushrooms were dry-fried until they developed an irresistible smoky fragrance.

When the clay-wrapped lotus leaf chicken was finally dug from the fire, Sora cracked open the hardened shell.

Steam burst outward.

The aroma of lotus leaves mixed with tender chicken instantly flooded the courtyard.

Even the surrounding beastmen watching from afar couldn’t help swallowing repeatedly.

One after another, ten dishes filled the round table.

Steamed cured meat.

Garlic stir-fried cured meat.

Lotus leaf chicken.

Mushroom fish soup.

Stir-fried wild vegetables.

Wild onion omelet.

Braised pork ribs.

Candied sweet potatoes.

Black fungus with sliced meat.

Dry-fried fresh mushrooms.

The colorful feast completely covered the table.

Sora finally sat in the main seat with a satisfied smile.

"That should be enough."

Enough?

Ace stared at the mountain of food before him.

"This could feed half the tribe."

Lucas laughed.

"I don’t think that’s true."

"It is if Ryan eats."

Ryan calmly picked up his chopsticks.

"I don’t."

Ace smirked.

"You’ve already finished two bowls of soup."

"..."

Ryan silently put down the empty bowl.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Ace looked around at the luxurious feast before narrowing his eyes dramatically.

"So."

"No matter how I look at it..."

"This mysterious childhood sweetheart receives much better treatment than we ever did."

Lucas nodded seriously.

"I was thinking the same."

Xavier folded his arms.

"Agreed."

Lukan quietly added,

"The dishes are indeed more elaborate."

Ryan remained silent, but his eyes drifted toward Sora.

Sora blinked in confusion.

"What are you all talking about?"

Ace pointed dramatically at the table.

"Ten dishes."

"Ten."

"We’ve never had ten dishes before."

Lucas nodded.

"Exactly."

"And today, the moment your childhood sweetheart appeared..."

"You prepared the grandest feast yet."

Sora couldn’t help laughing.

"You all are overthinking this."

"There are simply more people eating today."

"If there were twenty people, I’d cook even more."

Ace sighed theatrically.

"So practical."

"I was hoping you’d deny it romantically."

"You’ll be disappointed then."

Everyone chuckled before finally beginning the meal.

The courtyard quickly filled with the sounds of chopsticks and satisfied sighs.

Just then—

A pleasant, low voice sounded beside Sora.

"Kaelira... may I sit here?"

She instinctively looked up.

The next second—

Her eyes widened.

"..."

The dirty, ragged black bear from earlier had completely disappeared.

Standing before her was an exceptionally handsome young man.

His long black hair cascaded smoothly behind him like flowing silk.

His skin, after washing away the dirt, was surprisingly fair.

Sharp brows framed a pair of enchanting phoenix eyes that seemed capable of drawing people in at a single glance.

His straight nose, elegant jawline, and naturally curved lips gave him an almost mesmerizing appearance.

He looked refined...

Almost unreal.

If Ace possessed a seductive elegance and Ryan carried a cold, untouchable beauty, then this newcomer radiated a gentle charm that could instantly lower anyone’s guard.

Sora stared blankly.

"...You’re..."

"The black bear?"

He smiled warmly.

"Yes."

For several seconds, Sora simply blinked.

The transformation was unbelievable.

Ace slowly lowered his chopsticks.

"So that’s why."

Lucas looked enlightened.

"No wonder Sora didn’t send him away."

Xavier nodded slightly.

"His appearance is indeed exceptional."

Ryan’s blue eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

Sora finally regained her composure.

"Please... have a seat."

The handsome young man obediently sat beside her.

She cleared her throat.

"I don’t think I’ve asked your name yet."

He smiled.

"My name is Damien."

Sora repeated it softly.

"Damien?"

She tilted her head thoughtfully.

"...That sounds suspiciously close to ’Demon.’"

Ace immediately burst out laughing.

"Demon?"

Lucas almost choked on his soup.

Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose.

Ryan quietly looked away.

The handsome black bear blinked.

"No..."

"It’s Damien."

Ace couldn’t resist teasing.

"So you’re a black bear named Demon?"

He turned toward Xavier.

"Does that make him distant family to snake beastmen?"

Xavier looked at him expressionlessly.

"By that logic..."

"You’re related to mushrooms because you eat them every day."

Lucas snorted.

Lukan quietly covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.

Even Sora couldn’t hold back her smile.

"Sorry."

"I’ll remember."

"...Damien."

"But ’Demon’ is honestly easier to remember."

The handsome black bear sighed helplessly before smiling again.

"As long as Kaelira likes it."

Ace covered his face dramatically.

"This enthusiasm..."

"It’s dangerous."

The meal resumed amid laughter.

Damien tasted a piece of lotus leaf chicken.

His black eyes instantly brightened.

"This is delicious."

He looked at Sora with sincere admiration.

"Kaelira..."

"Your cooking is incredible."

She smiled.

"If you like it, eat more."

He obediently nodded before enthusiastically reaching for another piece.

The other five beastmen watched the interaction in silence.

Something felt...

Different.

Damien showed absolutely no restraint around Sora.

He spoke naturally.

Smiled naturally.

Even looked at her with obvious affection.

It wasn’t forced.

Nor was it awkward.

It genuinely resembled two childhood companions reuniting after years apart.

That realization made the atmosphere around the table subtly change.

After everyone finished eating, Shi leaned back in his chair with complete satisfaction.

He gently rubbed his stomach before turning toward Sora.

"Kaelira."

"Hm?"

"Where is your room?"

Sora blinked.

"My room?"

"Why?"

Damien smiled as though the answer were perfectly obvious.

"I need to know where I’ll be sleeping tonight."

"..."

Silence.

The entire table froze.

Even Ace stopped pouring tea.

Lucas slowly lowered his cup.

Ryan looked over.

Xavier raised a brow.

Lukan quietly watched.

Sora stared at him.

"...You mean..."

"You intend to stay?"

Damien nodded naturally.

"Of course."

"I am your beast husband."

"It is only natural for me to sleep with you."

"..."

The courtyard fell into absolute silence.

Five pairs of eyes immediately shifted toward Sora.

Every one of them waited to hear her answer.