Chapter 118
The peak of the great rainy season passed quietly.
Nina stood beside the bed, staring at the three remaining eggs. Worry clouded her face.
“Odian,” she said softly, “why haven’t these three hatched yet? They’re already past the expected time p>
Logically, all the eggs should have hatched during the height of the rainy season. Yet three still lay there, smooth and silent. The longer they remained unchanged, the more uneasy she felt.
“Don’t worry,” Odian comforted her gently. “A small number of cubs do hatch later. It doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem p>
Kith added warmly, “Many late hatchers actually turn out to have exceptional talent. There’s no need to worry too much p>
“I just hope they’re healthy,” Nina murmured.
Her greatest fear was that something might be wrong—that perhaps they hadn’t received enough nourishment. She watched the eggs for a long time, silently wishing for their safe and healthy hatching.
When the rainy season finally ended, the sun returned.
Nina carried the cubs outside to bask in the morning light. The early sunshine was gentle and warm, like a soft embrace.
She lay back in a rocking chair, swaying lazily. The remaining eggs and Momo nestled in her arms, rocking along with her. They seemed to love the rhythmic motion.
Yinny, Didi, and Linny ran around the yard, chasing each other and laughing.
Just as they were enjoying the sun, Aviel returned with a large sack.
“Nina! I found a lot of wild bird eggs this morning p>
He knew she liked eating eggs, so he had gone out early specifically to gather them.
Nina opened her eyes and stared at the massive sack he placed before her. It was nearly as big as a grain sack.
She blinked.
Had he emptied every bird’s nest in the area?
The eggs in this world were much larger than chicken eggs. Nina picked one up thoughtfully.
It had been a long time since she’d had dessert.
Maybe today was the perfect day.
“Wow, that’s a lot of eggs,” she laughed. “We can’t finish them all at once. If we leave them too long, they’ll go bad. Let’s make some desserts today p>
“Whatever you’d like,” Aviel said readily.
He had no idea what “dessert” meant, but if Nina said it was good, then it must be delicious.
She called Odian and the others over to help. With so many people, they would need to make plenty.
Odian and Yanai were assigned to make pudding.
Kith, Aviel, and Finch were tasked with cake.
Ridan and Viann assisted from the side.
Nina mainly directed and provided certain ingredients from her system store.
The cubs’ job was simple: wait to eat.
She first taught Kith and the others how to manually whip the cake batter until light and airy. Then she showed Odian’s group how to caramelize sugar and prepare the pudding base.
The males worked enthusiastically. Soon, everything was ready for steaming.
The puddings were smaller and finished first.
When Odian placed a freshly steamed pudding on the table, Nina took a spoonful.
Her eyes curved with satisfaction.
It was perfect—smooth, fragrant, and sweet.
She scooped a spoonful and held it up to Odian’s lips. “Try it. It’s delicious p>
He took a bite, eyes lighting up instantly. “Nina, this is amazing p>
He tilted his chin slightly. “Another bite p>
She laughed and fed him again.
Kith watched quietly, his gaze hopeful.
Smiling, Nina switched to a clean spoon and fed him two bites as well.
Kith’s heart instantly felt full.
Yanai looked as though he wanted to speak but didn’t dare. Ever since the time he had turned into a small wolf to seek affection and been rejected, he had grown more cautious.
Aviel quickly stepped forward. “Nina, I want some too p>
She paused, then switched spoons again and fed him one bite.
After all, he had gathered the eggs.
Finch stirred the remaining egg mixture absentmindedly.
Seeing how close Nina and Kith had become, he knew Kith had likely succeeded.
He felt a pang of envy and frustration.
He had started at the same point as Kith—yet Kith had progressed, and he had not.
What more could he do?
Everything Kith and Odian did, he also did. But Nina treated him the same way she treated Ridan and the others—friendly, but distant.
Finch sighed, stirring slowly.
After everyone had tasted the pudding, Nina fed Momo a small amount as well. Though still young, snakes had unique digestive systems and could handle more varied foods.
Momo loved it so much he nearly tried to burrow into the pudding bowl.
Yinny, Didi, and Linny were fed by their respective fathers. Ridan and the others helped themselves.
“It’s so good! Fragrant and sweet p>
“I’ve never tasted anything like this p>
The courtyard filled with laughter and praise.
Just then, Chief Karo arrived with several tribe members—the very ones Nina had healed before.
“Female Nina, we’ve come to thank you p>
They brought gifts—food, furs, and other supplies.
A female named Ofu stepped forward, holding two fine leopard-patterned pelts.
“Female Nina, you saved my cub and me. These are for you. They aren’t much, but please accept them p>
“How could I dislike them? They’re beautiful,” Nina said sincerely, accepting them and handing them to Odian.
The leopard pattern reminded her of Sal.
She wondered where he was now.
“It’s good that you don’t mind,” Ofu said, relieved.
She nudged the little bear cub in her arms. “Thank the auntie. She saved us p>
“Thank you, Auntie,” the bear cub said in a sweet, milky voice.
Nina gently patted his head.
So cute—like a fluffy stuffed toy.
Other tribe members also presented gifts and heartfelt thanks.
Chief Karo looked slightly embarrassed as he glanced at their older stone houses.
“You’ve helped our tribe greatly. You should move to the new stone houses,” he offered. “Though there aren’t enough rooms yet. I’ll need a few days to clear space p>
“There’s no need,” Nina replied warmly. “We like it here p>
Though older, the houses were spacious and quiet. It was just their group, and they felt comfortable.
Seeing her genuine reluctance, Chief Karo didn’t insist.
“If you need anything, please tell me p>
“I will p>
At that moment, a small cub sniffed the air eagerly.
“Mother, I smell something sweet p>
The cakes were ready.
Nina guessed he had smelled the desserts.
She asked Ridan and Viann to bring them over. “We made some desserts. Would you like to try p>
There was enough to share in small portions.
Curious, they each took a piece.
Their expressions lit up immediately.
“It’s delicious p>
Especially the females and cubs—they adored it.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much left, and many looked reluctant to finish their small portions.
“Nina… could you teach us how to make this?” Ofu asked shyly. “I really love it p>
Others quickly echoed the request.
“The pudding is mainly eggs and milk,” Nina explained. “The cake needs a few additional ingredients p>
She taught them the basics and even gifted them some cake flour—packaged in animal-hide bags.
The tribe members felt embarrassed. They had come to give thanks, yet ended up receiving more.
Some offered beast crystals. Others promised to send additional goods later.
They left happily.
High up in the trees, the mermen hung silently, watching with envy. If only their king had been more capable—then their queen might have chosen him.
After the tribe members departed, Lang slipped quietly into the village.
He crept toward the stone house and hid in a corner, peeking into the courtyard.
He saw many males. But not a single female.
Was this the wrong place?
No—the city lord’s scent had led here. He waited patiently.
At last, he saw his city lord.
But when he saw the female Kith was holding by the hand, Lang’s pupils shook violently.
He nearly lost his balance.
Heavens.
Wasn’t that Princess Nina p>