Elara’s POV

I caught Finnian glancing up at me, his expression sly as our eyes met—and simultaneously, I spotted Alistair watching us with clear amusement from the corridor.

Alistair had figured out Chamber Six completely. That cunning fox knew exactly how to work every angle.

Who could have predicted it? Two master manipulators under one roof!

The rabbit played games openly, while the fox schemed in shadows.

What perfect neighbors they made!

When both had suffered spirit collapse, they’d at least managed to maintain civil facades. Alistair was definitely anticipating what came next.

I wondered if these two could maintain their courteous charade now that they were openly vying for my attention.

After noticing Alistair’ expression, Finnian gave a mental scoff. Then, deliberately positioning himself where Alistair could see, he pressed his lips to mine.

True, a hundred-foot corridor separated them—but that didn’t diminish the silent battle raging between their stares!

Alistair rolled his eyes. Did the fox seriously believe he was gaining ground?

He shut his eyes, commandeered the closest meal delivery robot, made it pirouette twice, then directed it to scoop me up...

My intense kiss ended abruptly. Finnian’s expression darkened immediately, while my cheeks flamed crimson.

"What brings you here?" I questioned.

Alistair answered, "I was concerned the fox might damage your lip. Wild animals harbor countless bacteria."

Securing me firmly, he grabbed a tissue to clean my mouth, then drew me protectively to his chest...

Finnian’s annoyance flared.

Making matters worse, I offered no resistance—I simply allowed Alistair to embrace me.

Now Alistair wore the triumphant expression. "Weren’t you planning to dine? Your meal is cooling."

With that, the victorious Alistair marched from the room, still carrying me...

Finnian’s glare burned. Your time will come.

Barrett’s voice rang through his mind. One hundred strikes for him! Plus two kicks.

Dorian? He remained deeply unconscious...

Julian sneered inwardly. Well, well. You damned serpent finally showed your hand, didn’t you?

——

Kaelen’s POV

I was panicking. Elara, what’s gotten into you? Resist him! I believed you despised him! Ahhh!

——

Elara’s POV

After leaving the room, we arranged to rendezvous in the basement.

I agreed. I returned the meal cart to the kitchen, went to my quarters to change into exercise gear, then descended.

Alistair was already positioned in the basement. He’d transformed into his companion robot configuration and was arranging the pool balls. Seeing Elara, he offered her a cue.

"What’s our game?" Elara inquired.

"Eight ball?" Alistair proposed.

"Perfect. But shouldn’t we establish stakes?" Elara suggested, already moving around him. She leaned forward, aimed carefully, and broke with a crisp, precise strike.

Her playful nature emerged again.

"What stakes did you envision?" Alistair wondered.

Elara hummed quietly, smiling wickedly. Recognizing he’d fallen for her trap, she leaned in. "If I run the table, you must do something for me."

"Let me predict... streaking?" Alistair asked, partially teasing. It matched exactly what his rabbit would propose.

"What? Absolutely not! Even if you desired it, I’d forbid you," Elara replied with a cunning smile, moving closer to murmur, "Can you dance?"

Alistair declined. He genuinely couldn’t. "Though I could study."

Elara erupted in laughter, unable to contain her delight. "Excellent! We have an agreement. I owe you a kiss, and you owe me a dance."

Alistair remained stunned.

"I sense trouble approaching."

Alistair’ instinct proved accurate—because what Elara truly craved was bass-heavy, hip-swaying movement. In her experienced judgment, such dancing only merited observation when executed by someone possessing Alistair’ "devoted spouse" aura.

The wager was set. Withdrawal was impossible for Alistair. He simply stood frozen, his robotic optics wide like twin spheres, observing Elara clear every ball flawlessly in sequence.

"You’ve bested me. I concede," Alistair declared, lifting his hands in defeat.

He then spent several hours in the gymnasium with Elara.

It seemed impossible that someone with such an innocent, gentle appearance possessed such stamina. She maintained constant motion for hours on end.

Alistair prepared dinner. Following their exercise, Elara returned to her quarters.

Alistair verified her condition once—she was sleeping peacefully on her bed. He modified the climate control settings, silently shut the door, then proceeded to the kitchen.

After dinner, he visited the greenhouse. Following Elara’s directions, he harvested the mature strawberries and organized them carefully on trays.

The trays were ones Elara had retrieved from Glimmeraven Port—ten total, each containing roughly forty strawberries.

Since this was Elara’s enterprise, Alistair invested additional time and attention.

After completing the picking and packaging, he transferred the strawberries to refrigerated storage.

Elara slept continuously well past dinner time, completely missing the evening meal service...

——

Elara’s POV

Finnian messaged me. "Missed you this evening. All well?"

He’d modified his contact identifier from "Tranquiltide" to "Elara’s Toy."

Resting on my side in bed, I noticed Finnian’s updated contact name and exploded into laughter, trembling uncontrollably with mirth.