"And why shouldn’t I keep him in mind?" Yuel countered.

"No matter what, he was Rory’s matched partner. Even though the match has been dissolved, it hasn’t officially expired yet."

A faint smile tugged at Lian’s lips.

"If you truly considered Dax a threat, would he have had no opportunity to get close to Rory?"

There was clear amusement in his eyes.

"What patience? Isn’t the real reason that you and Vincent have been interfering all along, leaving Dax no chance to approach her and forcing him to wait passively?"

Lian was not surprised that Yuel had used Paros as an example.

But bringing up Dax was genuinely unexpected.

"You’ve never really regarded him as a threat."

His silver eyes narrowed slightly.

"And you have no intention of giving him another chance to approach Rory. So why use him now as an excuse to keep me away?"

As he spoke, Lian stepped closer.

Lowering his voice, he murmured near Yuel’s ear.

"Or is it that... Yuel, you’re afraid?"

Yuel’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly. A flash of coldness crossed his eyes.

Lian either failed to notice or chose not to acknowledge it as he continued softly.

"After all, in terms of strength, I surpass you."

His voice remained calm and measured.

"As for strategy and calculation, we’re evenly matched."

The corner of his lips curved upward.

"So you’re afraid that if I truly become Rory’s mate, I’ll threaten your position as her first mate."

The moment those words fell, Yuel turned his head.

His icy gaze locked precisely onto Lian’s eyes.

They stood so close that each could clearly see their own reflection mirrored in the other’s pupils.

"You’re mistaken."

Yuel’s voice was calm.

It was not loud, yet every word rang with unmistakable clarity.

"I have never feared anyone’s challenge."

He stepped back unhurriedly, creating a small distance between them.

"Whether it’s Vangar, Vincent, Xarion, Jasper, Wen, or even you."

His expression remained composed.

"Every one of you has the right to earn Rory’s affection through your own sincerity."

A faint chill entered his voice.

"The position of first mate has never been won through schemes or suppression."

His eyes were steady.

"It is Rory’s choice."

Lian had misjudged him completely.

"What I fear is not someone threatening my place."

Yuel’s gaze swept calmly across Lian’s strikingly handsome face.

A trace of mockery entered his tone.

"What I fear are people who think too highly of themselves."

His eyes sharpened slightly.

"People exactly like you."

For the first time, the smile on Lian’s face faltered.

Yuel did not spare him another glance.

He turned and headed toward the room where Nix and Wen were preparing food.

Truthfully, Lian would make an excellent mate.

He was powerful, highly skilled in medicine, and now completely unburdened by responsibilities, free to remain by Rory’s side at all times.

But he thought too much.

And that was a problem.

A household could not remain harmonious when one member constantly calculated every move, always holding multiple contingencies in reserve.

Perhaps in the short term, Lian could provide tangible benefits. His medical expertise alone was invaluable while Rory was carrying a child, allowing her condition to be monitored closely at all times.

But in the long run, a family built on constant calculations and mutual vigilance would slowly drain everyone involved.

Especially someone as gentle and emotionally sensitive as Rory.

When Yuel stepped into the kitchen, the rich aroma of food immediately greeted him, dispersing some of the lingering chill around him.

Wen was focused on chopping vegetables with flawless precision, while Nix stood nearby preparing ingredients, his expression earnest and attentive.

The small room was filled with warmth, peace, and the simple comfort of everyday life.

This... This was the life Rory wanted. And it was the life they all needed.

"Yuel, you’re here."

Nix looked up and smiled.

The smile was clean and genuine, free from calculation or hidden motives.

Yuel nodded.

His expression softened considerably.

"You’ve worked hard. Is there anything I can help with?"

"No, we’re almost finished."

Wen answered steadily without looking up from his work.

Yuel hummed in acknowledgment.

Noticing the vegetables Nix had already sorted beside him, he rolled up his sleeves and began washing them.

Nix watched him for a moment before quietly moving closer.

Lowering his voice, he asked, "Yuel... does that Lian guy like Rory?"

Curiosity flashed in his eyes. "Does he want to become Rory’s mate?"

Yuel raised an eyebrow. A hint of surprise crossed his face.

"You figured that out?"

Nix stared at him in disbelief.

"Don’t look at me like that. I’m not stupid."

He pointed toward the doorway.

"That guy makes it ridiculously obvious."

Nix shrugged.

"Even Wen noticed."

He gave Yuel an exasperated look.

"How could I possibly miss it?"

Wen, who was still chopping vegetables, fell silent.

Yuel chuckled softly but said nothing.

Nix let out a sigh.

"Fine, fine. I’ll admit it."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"When it comes to this sort of thing, I’m definitely not as good as you, Vincent, or Jasper."

"But what I really want to know is what Rory thinks about Lian."

Nix leaned closer, unable to hide his curiosity.

"Does she want to become mates with him?"

The moment he asked, Wen set down the knife in his hand and turned to look at Yuel as well.

That Lian fellow was clearly the same type as Yuel. Intelligent, articulate, and exceptionally skilled at winning a female’s favor.

Wen honestly felt he could not compete with someone like that.

At this rate, he feared he might never get the chance to officially become his Female Master’s mate.

"Whether Rory chooses to become mates with Lian is entirely up to her."

Yuel answered calmly.

"If you want to know the answer, you should ask Rory."

The moment Nix heard that, he knew Yuel was deliberately avoiding the question.

He immediately looked at him pleadingly.

"Come on, Yuel. Just tell us."

He raised a hand in surrender.

"I promise neither of us will go running to Vincent or Xarion and spread it around."

"We don’t dare ask Rory ourselves."

His voice softened.

"She’s carrying a baby right now. If I ask and she doesn’t want to talk about it, wouldn’t that just put her in an awkward position?"

Yuel glanced at him.

Among everyone in the household, Nix was undoubtedly the most straightforward and innocent.

After a moment’s thought, he finally spoke.

"Honestly, I don’t know whether Rory will keep Lian around."

His gaze lowered briefly.

"You’ve seen that fox’s methods for yourselves. But one thing you don’t need to worry about is this."

His voice grew gentler.

"The opportunities you have to spend time with Rory won’t become any fewer."

Relief immediately appeared on both Nix and Wen’s faces.

"I trust Rory."

Nix grinned.

"There’s no way she’d neglect me just because of one Lian."

Then he laughed and scratched his head.

"The only thing that can make Rory neglect me is my job."

"When work gets busy, I barely have time to come home myself."

By the time the meal was finished, they carried the dishes back to Rory’s room.

To their surprise, she was already asleep.

Vangar sat beside the bed, his gaze fixed tenderly on the sleeping woman.

His large hand moved slowly and gently against her back, patting her with extraordinary care.

"Rory’s asleep?"

Nix approached quietly and peeked at the bed.

Jasper lowered his voice.

"Let’s leave the food in the kitchen for now. We can eat when Rory wakes up."

Wen nodded.

Just as he and Nix were about to carry the dishes away, Rory’s eyes suddenly fluttered open.

"Is the food ready?" Her voice was soft and sleepy. "I can smell it."

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "It smells amazing."

Then she blinked. "I’m suddenly really hungry."

"Rory, you’re awake." Nix immediately hurried over. "Did we wake you up?"

Rory nodded.

"I’m hungry." She rubbed her eyes. "I want to eat."

"I’ll carry you over." Vangar stood immediately.

Seeing her freshly awakened appearance, his expression softened instinctively.

Her dazed eyes and slightly messy hair made her look remarkably like a sleepy kitten.

"Don’t get up too quickly right after waking."

Rory rubbed her eyes again and looked up at him.

Vangar chuckled.

He bent down and slipped one arm beneath her knees while the other wrapped securely around her back.

Lifting her into his arms with effortless ease.

Not wanting to jostle her even slightly, he moved at an unusually careful pace.

The distance from the bed to the dining table was only a few steps, yet he crossed it as though carrying the most precious treasure in the world.

When they reached the table, Paros immediately stood.

He pulled out a chair and thoughtfully added an extra soft cushion against the backrest.

Only then did Vangar carefully lower Rory into the seat.

His movements were so gentle they bordered on reverent.

He did not release her until he was certain she was sitting comfortably.

"Would you like some soup first?"

Vangar asked softly.

"It’ll warm your stomach."

As he spoke, he naturally picked up a bowl and began serving her soup.

The very hands that had once commanded battlefields and shaken entire star systems with their power now moved with astonishing tenderness.

After all, Vangar was a Marshal.

He was far from foolish.

Once Yuel had finished lecturing him earlier, he had quickly realized where he had gone wrong.

And just as quickly, he had figured out exactly what he needed to do from now on.