Chapter 450: So wicked

"Aren’t we supposed to try on the clothes?"

Rory lay back against the waterbed, encircled in Wen’s arms, asking in a hushed whisper.

"There’s no hurry for the clothes," Wen chuckled softly, leaning down toward her. "Rory, have you guessed my secret yet?"

"Rank fourteen. I bet you’re definitely at rank fourteen," Rory answered without hesitation. Vincent, with his rank-thirteen strength, could practically walk sideways everywhere he went, yet even he was somewhat wary of Wen. He had to be rank fourteen. Rory felt absolute confidence in her guess.

Wen shook his head. "Nope, wrong."

"Wrong?!" Rory stared at Wen in sheer shock. "If you’re not rank fourteen, could you possibly be rank fifteen?!" Wouldn’t that make him a Beast God or something?!

Wen remained silent, a mysterious glint in his eyes. "You’ve used up today’s guess quota. Rory will just have to try again tomorrow."

Wait, what—?!

Looking at Wen, Rory felt an overwhelming urge to bite him to death. This man had intentionally stoked her curiosity to a fever pitch, only to withhold the answer! It was an absolutely maddening feeling.

Rory took a deep breath, but in the end, she couldn’t hold back. Opening her mouth, she bit down right on Wen’s earlobe.

"You fish... how can you be so tormenting?! I’m going to eat you up right now!"

The moment Rory’s teeth lightly caught his earlobe, Wen’s body stiffened noticeably. A surge of crisp, tingling electricity instantly shot through his limbs.

"Nngh..."

An extremely soft, muffled groan escaped his throat, nearly drowned out by the gentle sway of the waterbed. The arms encircling Rory tightened unconsciously, his long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings to veil the intense desire surging within his eyes.

"Is that so? You want to eat me up?"

Turning his head until the tip of his nose almost brushed her cheek, he murmured softly in her ear, "Then Rory... where do you plan to start eating?"

As he spoke, Wen slowly slid one hand upward, his long fingers trailing casually over the back of Rory’s neck. The slight calluses on his fingertips caressed that patch of delicate skin with featherlight touches.

"From here... or..." His gaze dropped lower, landing squarely on her lips. "...from here?"

Teased to the point of utter breathlessness by his blatant provocation, Rory instinctively released his earlobe, letting out a small gasp.

Seeing her flushed state, the smile in Wen’s eyes deepened. Shifting his gaze away from her lips, he brought his mouth close to her ear once more. A warm, humid breath wrapped around her like sea fog.

"However, for a fish as large as me, if Rory wants to eat me all up, I’m afraid it’ll take... a great deal of time." He deliberately emphasized the word "eat" with a heavy rasp, dripping with insinuation.

Before Rory could offer a rebuttal, Wen continued in his clear yet husky tone, speaking unhurriedly: "I’m afraid there isn’t enough time right now."

His fingertips continued to linger on her sensitive nape, as if measuring his most cherished treasure. His movements were gentle, yet carried an undeniable strength that left Rory with no escape.

"Why don’t we wait until tomorrow night, after returning from the Festival of All Females? Then Rory can eat me all up—how about that?"

Without giving Rory any chance to refuse, he leaned down and accurately captured her lips in a kiss.

Wen’s kiss held no aggression; it was merely a soft, tender friction, like a gentle comfort—or a sealed vow that allowed no backing out.

Rory: "..."

She had been completely played by this fish! It was clearly she who had launched the attack, yet in just a few words, he had seized all the initiative. Not only did she fail to "eat the fish," but she had even ended up agreeing to mate with him tomorrow night!

Damned fish... he’s way too wicked!

It wasn’t until dinner time that Rory finally emerged from Wen’s room.

She had tried on all the outfits Wen prepared for her. Truth be told, Wen was exceptionally skilled at tailoring—every single dress fit like a dream and looked stunning.

After leaving Wen’s room, Rory headed straight to her own quarters to wake Xarion and drag him downstairs for dinner.

Sitting at the dining table, Rory looked over at the two empty seats. "Where’s Vangar?" Yuel hadn’t returned yet, but why was Vangar staying upstairs when he was at home?

Jasper said, "I called Vangar earlier, but he said he wasn’t hungry and had important matters to take care of, so we shouldn’t disturb him. Don’t worry, though—I left some food in the kitchen for him so he won’t go hungry."

Hearing that Jasper had saved food for Vangar, Rory felt relieved.

Nix, upon hearing that Vangar was busy, rolled his eyes thoughtfully. Then, lowering his head, he quietly began digging into his food.

After dinner.

Watching Rory return to her room, Nix immediately opened his optical computer, created a new group chat, and fired off a message.

Nix: [Marshal Vangar is so busy today—does that mean he won’t have time to accompany Roro tonight?]

Tonight was supposed to be Vangar’s turn to stay with Rory. If he was too busy to even eat dinner, he definitely wouldn’t have time to accompany her.

Everyone except Rory and Vangar was in this group.

Receiving the message, the males in the room exchanged subtle glances toward Rory.

Xarion: [What, you want to claim Vangar’s slot?]

Nix: [How can you call it claiming? If Vangar doesn’t have time, we can’t just let Rory sleep alone, can we?]

Nix: [@Yuel, even though you’re not at home, I think you should make the arrangements. Who gets to accompany Rory tonight?]

Over at the Administration Department, Yuel—who had just scolded his subordinates and was brimming with irritation—saw Nix’s message popping up on his optical computer. He desperately wanted to scold Nix too.

Yuel: [@Nix, you’re thinking too much. It’s getting late—go wash up and sleep. You can have whatever you want in your dreams.]

Nix: [?]

Xarion: [I actually saw Vangar carrying a huge package back to his room earlier. Looking at the label on the box, it looked like he bought clothes.]

Nix: [If he’s not accompanying Rory, why is he buying clothes?]

Vincent: [Go wash up and sleep. Maybe Vangar will tell you in your dreams what he bought those clothes for.]

Jasper: [Mhm, wash up and sleep.]

Wen: [Do you need me to fill the bathtub up with water for you?]

Aren: [I have some nice sleep-inducing incense over here. If you need some, feel free to come grab it.]

Nix: [...]

These guys were way too much! Every single one of them was telling him to wash up and sleep! Did they really not want to accompany Rory themselves?!

Vincent: [@Aren, what scent is the incense?]

Aren: [All kinds of scents. Whoever needs some can come over to my place to get it.]

Xarion: [Didn’t expect you to have a skill like that. That’s actually pretty great.]

Aren: [I feel like you’re insincerely complimenting me, @Xarion.]

Jasper: [It’s already a miracle that he’s complimenting you at all.]

Nix: [I get it now! Vangar bought those clothes to dress up and seduce Rory tonight!]

Aren: [Go wash up and sleep.]

Vincent: [Mhm, go to sleep.]

Jasper: [Sleep.]

Xarion: [Sleep!]

Nix: [You guys are crossing the line! I just didn’t figure it out right away! Besides, aren’t you guys even a little curious what kind of clothes Marshal Vangar bought to wear for Rory?]

Wen: [Not interested.]

Vincent: [Same as above.]

Jasper: [Mhm.]

Aren: [The Marshal is a serious, respectable man. His clothes are definitely respectable clothes.]

Xarion: [At least he can’t be flirtier than Yuel.]