Chapter 110
Kith and the others stood behind the three little ones, watching closely. The rest of the males gathered behind them as well, eager to learn along.
“Alright,” Nina said, holding up a handful of candies with a smile. “Mother is going to start asking questions. Where is the banana p>
The three cubs flipped through their small cards, quickly pulling out the one with the banana.
“Wow! You all found it. So clever!” Nina handed each of them a candy. “One piece each p>
“Next question—where is the sweet-and-sour apple p>
“Now, find all the vegetables p>
She continued asking question after question.
Yinny searched carefully, selecting the cards one by one. Kith noticed he made two mistakes but said nothing, silently making a note to review those with him later.
Didi, on the other hand, was both fast and accurate.
Finch felt a flicker of pride. This little rascal rarely needed him to worry.
Linny made more mistakes than the others.
Behind him, Aviel grew increasingly anxious. He didn’t dare prompt him, but every time Linny picked the wrong card, Aviel sighed inwardly.
Why so many mistakes? He had been hoping the boy would win more candy.
Hidden in the shadows, several mermen stretched their necks to peek.
“What are they playing? I can’t see clearly p>
“I saw some square things… with fruit images on them. They look exactly like the real thing p>
“I saw that too. It’s amazing p>
Lex’s angle was poor; he couldn’t see properly.
“Your Majesty, should we climb the tree to look?” Bluefin asked quietly.
He was curious too.
Lex glanced at the tall tree beside them and frowned deeply.
Climb a tree? They were mermen.
But if they didn’t, they couldn’t see.
After a moment of hesitation, he nodded.
Soon, a group of handsome mermen awkwardly scrambled up the tree and sprawled along the branches.
From there, Lex could finally see clearly.
It truly was astonishing. The drawings were nearly identical to the real objects.
Each time Nina asked a question, he silently memorized the names.
So that fruit was called an apple.
So that leafy thing was edible.
They learned alongside the cubs.
After many rounds, Nina’s candies were nearly gone. She examined the cards the cubs had chosen and distributed their rewards.
“All of you did wonderfully p>
Seeing that Didi had the largest pile of candy, Yinny and Linny looked at him with admiration.
“Didi is amazing p>
Didi hugged his pile happily. All his earlier gloom vanished.
He was amazing too.
Kith picked up Yinny and ruffled his hair. “You did great p>
Yinny shyly handed him two candies in return.
Finch lifted Didi high. “Didi was incredible p>
Looking at Nina, warmth surged in his chest. She truly loved their children.
Didi raised his chin proudly and offered Finch a candy. “This little fox rewards you p>
Finch smiled. Thank you p>
Aviel grabbed Linny. “Half your candy goes to your father p>
Linny clutched his sweets tightly. “No! They’re all mine p>
When Aviel tried to snatch one, Linny immediately ran to Nina’s arms.
“If you dare, come take them from Mother p>
Aviel gritted his teeth.
Fine. He didn’t dare.
The other males stared at the cubs’ candy enviously—especially the dragons.
They hadn’t tasted it yet. The phoenixes had described how good it was.
They really wanted some.
Nina couldn’t help laughing at their expressions. She took out another handful and distributed them.
“Everyone gets some p>
The dragons’ eyes lit up as they accepted them eagerly and unwrapped them at once.
The phoenixes swallowed theirs quickly too, as if afraid someone might snatch them away.
Up in the tree, the mermen watched with longing.
They wanted some as well.
“Your Majesty… the queen is so clever p>
“What she teaches the cubs—we don’t even know p>
“The little princes will grow very powerful under her guidance p>
“And she’s so gentle p>
“She even shares delicious food p>
Over the past days, the mermen’s impression of Nina had skyrocketed. Many regretted their earlier hostility.
“Silence. She is not your queen,” Lex said coldly, though his thoughts were tangled.
The mermen sighed and fell quiet.
Perhaps their king simply couldn’t accept her appearance. Their people cherished beauty above all.
But this female… she was so good that even her appearance seemed irrelevant.
Lex lowered his gaze.
Had he misunderstood her? She didn’t seem like a malicious female at all.
So many powerful males surrounded her, devoted and unwavering—and yet she did not cling to them.
If she truly were scheming and vile, would she be like this?
He could feel it. She was kind.
Was he wrong?
His gaze drifted to the remaining egg-babies. He couldn’t abandon the precious royal bloodline.
Then he looked at Kith and Finch, watching them interact warmly with Nina and the cubs.
A strange yearning stirred in his heart.
His eyes settled on Nina.
Silently, he made a decision.
That night, Lex found a secluded spot. He sliced his palm, letting blood drip onto a pale blue crystal.
His face immediately paled.
Channeling his power, he activated the illusion he had once used. The illusion consumed immense vital essence. Before, he had only glimpsed fragments.
This time, he wanted the truth.
The scene unfolded again. He saw himself completing a trade in Sin City.
Leaving the city.
Resting outside its walls.
Then that overwhelming scent.
He dismissed the other male.
He approached her.
He kissed her first.
Soft sweetness.
Burning warmth.
She had drawn him in like an irresistible poison.
Lex jolted awake, breathing heavily. His pale face flushed crimson.
The vivid images—those heart-pounding moments—flooded his mind.
He shook his head, trying to forget, but the memories only sharpened. He rushed to the river and plunged into the water.
The cold current gradually calmed the fire in his veins.
After a long while, he closed his eyes, intending to rest.
But not long after drifting off, he found himself once more in that cave.
That warmth.
That intoxicating closeness.
He heard her soft sounds again.
Lex shot awake, staring downward in disbelief.
How could this be? Why would he dream of her? And like that?
Impossible.
He could not harbor such thoughts about a female he had once deemed unattractive.
Their kind prized beauty above all. It had to be lingering effects from the illusion.
It had to be.
Elsewhere in the wildlands, Ghost Wolf finally found Sal.
“Boss, I found Lady Nina p>
Sal’s eyes lit with relief. “Really? How is she? Was she hurt? Did she suffer? Where is she now p>
“She seems well. She’s waiting for us at the Half-Mountain Tribe. We should go quickly p>
“You left her there alone?” Sal’s expression darkened.
“No, no! There are many males around her taking care of her,” Ghost Wolf hurried to clarify.
Sal’s brows knit tightly.
Many males? Then he needed to hurry. Otherwise, Nina might be stolen away by those little vixens.
“Take me there immediately,” Sal said impatiently.
“Should we notify Yanai?” Ghost Wolf asked.
“No need. Just contact Black Flame and the others p>
Perfect timing to shake off that annoying wolf.
Ghost Wolf nodded and led Sal swiftly toward the Half-Mountain Tribe.