Chapter 123
Linny thought about it again for a moment.
Then you can make Mother a pretty crystal necklace. She’ll definitely like that.
Aviel looked skeptical. “Does your mother like it… or do you like it p>
Linny puffed out his chubby cheeks indignantly.
Believe it or not, I don’t care! If you don’t believe me, I’ll just go find another father. Big Phoenix and Big Leopard are both very nice—they would definitely be willing to be my father.
Aviel couldn’t help but sigh.
“Alright, alright. Father believes you,” Aviel said quickly. “But is there anything else? What else could Father do to make your mother happy… to make her like Father more p>
Linny held out one tiny paw.
That’s a different transaction.
Aviel frowned. This little rascal had already learned how to bargain.
With a sigh, he placed a few more crystals into Linny’s paws.
“Fine. Now talk p>
Linny inspected the crystals carefully and seemed satisfied.
Mother likes it most when Linny acts cute. She also likes kisses. When Linny kisses Mother, she becomes very happy.
Aviel frowned.
Act cute?
How could he possibly do that?
As for kissing… well, he certainly wanted to. But if he dared to sneak a kiss from Nina, she might slap him across the face.
He flicked one of Linny’s tiny dragon horns lightly.
“Can’t you give me a more reliable idea? Father is a mighty dragon. I can’t do things like that p>
Linny glared at him.
Then you can turn smaller! If you can’t do it, don’t blame me.
Aviel fell into serious thought.
After a moment, he turned to the dragon clan males nearby.
“Do any of you know how a male should court a young female p>
“My lord,” Pado said thoughtfully, “we could try copying Kith’s strategy p>
“Oh p>
“First, understand Lady Nina’s preferences very well. Then… perhaps use a little ’injury tactic p>
“An injury tactic?” Aviel rubbed his chin.
“But dragons have extremely strong defenses. And I’m already very powerful. It’s not easy for me to get injured. There’s hardly any opportunity to use such a trick p>
For the first time in his life, Aviel felt troubled by the fact that he was too strong.
Even trying to pretend to suffer for sympathy was difficult.
Suddenly, he felt a strange envy toward that fragile tiger.
That fellow had successfully made Nina soften her heart.
“That’s true,” Pado agreed. “There are very few opponents strong enough to hurt you, my lord. But… appealing to her preferences is still possible p>
It was all because dragon scales were simply too tough.
The injury tactic probably wouldn’t work for them.
“I once heard my father say that females like beautiful jewelry and clothing,” another dragon male said. “I think Young Master Linny makes a good point. You could make jewelry for Lady Nina p>
As for clothing… their king wasn’t particularly skilled at making those.
“That’s a good idea,” Aviel decided.
“Bring out your finest crystals p>
Without hesitation, the dragon clan males took out all the crystals they owned.
For the sake of their king’s happiness, they were willing to sacrifice everything.
“My father said females like flowers p>
“And I once heard my father say p>
The other dragon males began offering their own suggestions as well.
Aviel rubbed his chin thoughtfully, sinking into deep contemplation.
Meanwhile, Odian had gathered the phoenix clan males inside his room.
“Help me think of something,” he said. “Is there any way to make Nina agree to become mates with me sooner p>
The phoenix males immediately began brainstorming.
“My lord,” Taor said after a moment, “the rare feathers of the phoenix clan can be refined into beautiful feather-silk. If you make clothing from feather-silk for Lady Nina, she will surely like it. Perhaps if she’s happy enough, she’ll agree p>
Odian nodded. “I’ve already started making it, but it isn’t finished yet p>
Another phoenix male added, “My lord, you could give Lady Nina some gifts blessed by the Beast God, something that will protect her safety p>
Ridan leaned closer, his voice a little mysterious.
“My lord… when I came of age, my father gave me something he called a ’family treasure.’ He said that when I finally found my mate, I should use it—he guaranteed it would win her over p>
Then he added carefully, “I just don’t know if you’d be willing to use it p>
After all, with their priest lord’s personality… it was hard to say.
“What kind of treasure is so powerful?” Odian asked curiously. “Let me see it first p>
The phoenix males gathered closer, equally curious.
Ridan opened his small storage space and carefully took out several items.
The phoenix males stared at them in amazement.
If their priest lord actually succeeded using those… then when they found their own mates in the future, they might try the same thing.
But p>
Would their elegant, dignified priest lord really be willing to use such things?
All eyes turned toward Odian.
Privately, they sighed. It seemed unlikely their noble priest would stoop to such methods.
Odian examined the items.
His handsome face slowly flushed red.
After a brief hesitation, he coughed lightly.
“Teach me how to use them p>
The phoenix males’ eyes widened.
Their priest lord… was actually willing to use them?
For Nina’s sake, their priest lord was truly going all out.
Ridan immediately began explaining enthusiastically.
He had never imagined there would come a day when he would teach something to the priest himself.
He could brag about this for the rest of his life.
As the explanation continued, Odian’s face grew redder and redder p>
Sal, of course, refused to fall behind.
He gathered Ghost Wolf and the others to discuss strategies as well.
But since they were rogue beasts, their ideas tended to be… somewhat unconventional.
Sal recalled the information he had gathered from the other males earlier and began calculating his next move in his mind.
Kith went to consult his own subordinates as well.
Yanai saw that everyone else had formed little groups to plot their strategies. Since he had made absolutely no progress and didn’t stand out in any way, he decided he needed help too.
Though he wasn’t very willing, he still sent a signal to contact his clan members.
Finch sat alone in his room, quietly pondering something.
Soon, a determined look flashed through his eyes.
After staying indoors for a while, Nina took the cubs out into the courtyard to play.
By then, the males had all finished their discussions.
Nina was playing happily with the cubs when Aina and Jina came to visit her. Jina even brought along her little bear cub.
She set the little bear cub down in the courtyard so he could play with Nina’s children.
The bear cub wasn’t shy at all. Before long, he was happily running around with the others.
Only Momo was less active. He preferred to coil around Nina’s wrist or perch quietly on her shoulder.
Jina and Aina sat nearby chatting with Nina.
“Nina, is this the cub who hatched recently?” Aina asked, glancing curiously at Momo.
“Yes,” Nina said with a smile. “He’s our fourth little one p>
“So cute,” Aina said warmly.
Momo was a bit shy. He curled up against Nina, occasionally lifting his small head to peek around.
Seeing that he was timid, Aina didn’t try to tease him and instead continued chatting about recent happenings in the tribe.
Just then, a male suddenly ran into the courtyard.
He stopped in front of Jina, his face full of guilt.
“Jina… can you forgive me just once? There’s really nothing between Lisa and me p>
“I won’t forgive you,” Jina said firmly. “And I won’t let you become my guardian beast anymore. If you want to give gifts to other females, go ahead. It has nothing to do with me p>
“I… I only The male faltered, unable to explain himself.
“Leave,” Jina said coldly. “Don’t interrupt our conversation p>
“Jina he pleaded.
“Go. Don’t make me drive you away p>
Her tone left no room for negotiation.
Knowing he shouldn’t disturb the females any further, the male finally left reluctantly.
Aina turned to Jina. “He wanted to be your guardian beast, but was also giving gifts to other females p>
“Exactly,” Jina said angrily. “He kept saying he only liked me, but behind my back, he was trying to please other females. He’s been lying to me all this time. How could I possibly accept him as my guardian beast p>
She added bitterly, “If he had been honest about it, I might not even be this angry. Before mating, everyone is still free p>
“That’s true,” Aina agreed. “Males who lie all the time are the worst p>
“I think so too,” Nina said thoughtfully. “A partner should be someone sincere p>
Kith happened to overhear Nina’s words.
His heart sank slightly.
Lowering his gaze, he fell into silent thought.