Chapter 234: For A Bath... But...

Chapter 234: 234: For A Bath... But...

Ally felt overwhelmed with emotion as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. She held herself together as she pulled Neris firmly into a hug.

Nat and Nyeon wriggled down from Lord Vale’s arms and hurried over to join the hug, and Ally held them firmly as well.

Ayra stared at the wholesome scene, feeling extremely emotional. She smiled as she watched her little ones together.

Ally looked up at Zay, who was sitting nearby and staring at them. "Come here and join in," she insisted.

Zay slowly made his way over and joined them in the wholesome hug.

Ayra couldn’t hold back the broadening smile on her face as she watched. She was overwhelmed with joy at the sight of them all together.

After they were done hugging, Ally looked at them and said, "Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it..."

"Don’t mention it at all, Sister. Anything to make you feel better," Nat said as Ally gently patted him on the head.

"Thanks a lot. I love you all," she said before they fell into another warm hug.

They stayed like that for a while, the five of them embracing each other warmly while everyone else stared at them with smiles on their faces.

Rai leaned closer, surprised to see that Lord Zark and Commander Lynn were smiling as well.

"Are you two smiling too...?" Rai inquired.

Lord Zark and Commander Lynn instantly put on firm expressions.

They stared at Rai and the others, who were now looking at them.

Zark cleared his throat. "I have work to do..."

Commander Lynn also got to his feet. "Me too. I’ll follow you."

And so, the two of them awkwardly left the scene.

As they left, Ayra and the rest couldn’t help but laugh at how awkward they had suddenly become. They continued smiling and admiring the kids, who were still cuddled together in a warm hug.

---

A few days later.

Ayra had gotten up that morning after a long rest and decided to go take her bath.

She had been sleeping a lot lately, given that she was pregnant with Commander Lynn’s cubs. She could also feel her whole body aching even though she wasn’t doing much work.

That morning, Ayra gathered everything she needed for a refreshing bath and made her way to her favorite streamside spot.

But the cubs were at it again.

The triplets were arguing right in front of her room as soon as she stepped out.

"I want the tall one!"

"No, I want it!"

"Papa got it for me!"

They were arguing over who got to play with the tallest stick among the special bamboo sticks Lord Vale had gotten them as toys.

"I’m the eldest. I should get it!" Neris insisted.

"No, I am older!" Nat insisted.

"But it’s still mine!" Nyeon added.

As soon as they saw Ayra step out of her room, they instantly turned and ran up to her.

"Mama! Tell them this one is for me! I saw it first, and I want to play with it!" Neris insisted.

"No! It’s for me!" Nat and Nyeon insisted together.

They bickered for several minutes right in front of Ayra, even pulling at her legs. Ayra could already feel her body twitching and aching.

All she needed now was a relaxing bath.

"Eh... why don’t you take turns playing with it?"

"I should go first, then!" Neris insisted, and they immediately fell into another round of bickering.

Ayra tried all she could, but they still wouldn’t stop. It was always like this with the triplets.

And while they were at it, Ally and Zay arrived.

Ally had taken Zay out to gather some pretty stones, and on their return, they met the scene.

"You’re all pestering Mum," Ally said as she walked up to them.

They immediately left Ayra and rushed over to Ally with their problems, treating her like a second mama. Ally had grown and matured quite a bit, so she naturally acted like their little mother.

"What’s it now?" she asked as they all spilled their issues before her.

Ally sighed. "Not again..."

She folded her arms. "Now, let’s sit down and talk it out."

Ally sat down with them on the floor, settling their disputes like she always did.

While she did that, Ayra smiled. "I’ll be back after my bath..."

She had handled their bickering a thousand times in just a few days. She didn’t know if she was ever going to get used to it.

"Okay," Ally said with a smile as she continued playing judge for them.

And so, Ayra stepped out to take her bath. Zay got up and happily followed behind her.

Ayra smiled as she looked down at Zay, who was walking close beside her. He was so small standing next to her, yet he walked confidently with his horns and tiny wings on display.

Ayra smiled. "Do you want to take a bath too? I’ll wash you up real good."

"No water," Zay said, shaking his head.

Ayra smiled. "I guess Dad traumatized you with his terrible bathing skills, and now you don’t want it anymore."

Zay casually blinked as they continued toward the stream.

Ayra was heading to her favorite stream, a quiet and somewhat isolated spot where she always went to take her bath.

The spot had officially become known as her personal spot as well.

She arrived there with a smile on her face. She had everything she needed for a refreshing bath—her soap, washcloth, and the rest.

She spread her hands, ready to bathe.

But immediately, Ayra transformed into a fox!

It happened so instantly that in the very next second, she found herself on four paws on the floor, her fur fluffed up and her tail wagging behind her.

"..."

Ayra was speechless.

It had happened just like that?!

And without any warning?!

She guessed the system really did mean business!

As she slowly turned her head to the side, she saw Zay standing there and staring at her with a casual expression.

His big eyes remained fixed on her as he slowly tilted his head.

Ayra had no idea what was running through her little one’s mind. He had just seen his mother transform right before his eyes!

Then, Zay slowly stretched out his hands toward her and began approaching.

"Huh...?"