Chapter 100: Chapter 100 Jealous Hearts Revealed

Elara’s POV

I grinned, bending over the half-height meal slot to peek at Julian, who was doing his best impression of a sulking child.

"So," he stammered, voice trembling, "you really planning to smack me?"

Julian looked ready to crumble. He whipped his head away with an indignant snort.

"This is ridiculous. She fed Kaelen right in front of me, kissed him, touched him... and with me, she couldn’t even spare a moment’s kindness. Land females are impossible," he thought.

I bent down and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.

Julian went rigid. The ice in his gaze thawed instantly. "Did Elara... actually kiss me?" he wondered.

But I knew one kiss would melt his defenses without solving the real problem. So I reached out, fingertips trailing along his delicate ear fin, and murmured, "Want to know what I think has you all twisted up? You’re pissed I got cozy with another male right under your nose. Pissed I spent time with the rabbit in Chamber Seven. Pissed I might’ve broken what we promised each other. And I’m betting you’re even pissed that I seemed rushed and distant just now."

Julian gaped at me. "She... she sees right through me," he thought.

I brushed my thumb across his skin. Julian’s ear fins felt incredible. He stayed silent, face blazing crimson.

"Julian," I said gently, "I never break my word. And I’m not playing games with anyone. The thing is, you and the other six—you’re all my husbands."

Julian’s eyes flew wide. "What?!"

The revelation hit him like lightning. He finally faced me completely, eyes drilling into mine. A thousand thoughts exploded through his mind like fireworks as he searched my expression for any hint of deception. He found nothing but truth.

I could see it in his eyes—he realized I wasn’t betraying anyone and that he’d just been acting like a spoiled brat.

"..." Julian’s mouth opened and closed, no real words emerging.

A single tear traced down his cheek, crystallizing into a tiny pearl as it dropped. His ear fins burned bright red. When he caught my warm, amused look, his heartbreak transformed into a shaky smile.

I teased, "Such a fearsome general... having a meltdown like a toddler and shedding pearl tears."

Julian’s tail swished through the water. He leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss across my knuckles. "I’m your husband first," he said quietly. "Everything else is secondary. And I’m not embarrassed to break down or get emotional in front of my mate."

He kissed the back of my hand next. His lips were warm and slightly wet. Julian pressed my palm firmly to his chest, expression serious. "Will you forgive me, my gorgeous mate?"

I arched an eyebrow. "Sure. But do I still need to clock you with that brick?"

Julian nodded. "Yes."

I used my free hand to flick his forehead. "There. We’re square."

"No, we’re not square," Julian protested, still gripping my hand, stare intense. "I was completely wrong. Don’t say that."

I could read the guilt in his expression. He was trapped in here, and I could see he was thinking about how I was probably dealing with terrible conditions just for taking responsibility for a broken beastman like him. The weight of that debt was clearly eating at him.

All his smooth talk was pointless—I wasn’t letting him slide.

"So you’re still sulking?"

Julian cleared his throat awkwardly. His face flushed for a beat, then, quick as a fish jumping from water, he pressed a brief, tender kiss to the corner of my mouth.

"So I could kiss you," he whispered.

With that, he plunged back into the pool with a splash.

——

The central monitor announced, "Chamber Two, Julian: Spirit collapse level decreased by 4 points. Current spirit collapse level: 60."

Julian swam joyful loops in the water. He noticed the small rubber duck Elara had thrown in earlier. When he saw her watching, he beamed back at her.

——

Kaelen’s POV

In Chamber One, I stretched out on my hammock, ears twitching as I observed the pair below. My expression was impossible to read.

Why another kiss? Hmph. I don’t like this.

But Elara had kissed me first. That thought eased the sting a bit.

Plus, she’d never looked down on me. Even the night I’d spiraled out of control, she’d picked up my scale and treasured it. I really did hold a special place in her heart...

——

Elara’s POV

Dorian had zero clue about any of the grown-up drama. All he cared about was that I was taking forever with lunch. But he could smell strawberries.

I’d told him they were called strawberries. Dorian was obsessed with strawberries.

I rushed the final few steps to Dorian’s door, nearly sliding to a halt.

"Elara, you made it!"

The second Dorian spotted me, he immediately shoved his head toward the slot. He rubbed against my hand, then scowled. "Elara did something naughty."

"Yup," I said cheerfully. "I petted a fish."

The leopard huffed softly—shy, irritated, and pleased all rolled into one. "What’s so great about petting a fish? Their fins aren’t nearly as soft as my paws, right?"

"Nope," I agreed.

Hearing that, Dorian’s tails swished with pride. He pushed his furry paw through the slot, trying to sound authoritative but just coming off adorable.

"Then pet me."

I completely melted. How is Dorian this precious?

He’s trying so hard to sound tough, but it just sounds so sweet.