Chapter 122
Early the next morning, six males arrived at the kitchen at the same time.
They exchanged glances—and each of them gave a quiet, disdainful snort.
The cooking space was quickly occupied by most of them.
Since Nina’s household was so large, several cooking stoves had been built in the kitchen area. Even so, the males still managed to crowd most of them.
“Well, well,” Sal drawled mockingly. “Dead fox, what are you doing in the kitchen so early, taking up space p>
The night before, Sal had deliberately asked the ghost wolves to mingle with the dragon and phoenix clans. He had gathered quite a bit of intelligence.
And according to what he’d heard, Finch’s cooking skills were the worst of the lot—his dishes were practically unfit to serve Nina.
“What does that have to do with you?” Finch snapped irritably. “The kitchen doesn’t belong to you p>
Sal snorted.
“With cooking skills like yours, you still dare show up? Are you sure the things you make are even safe for Nina to eat p>
He swept his gaze over the other males.
Clearly, they had the same idea as him—getting up early to prepare a loving breakfast for Nina.
His eyes lingered briefly on Kith.
He had heard that the tiger’s cooking suited Nina’s tastes very well.
That one, Sal thought grimly, is the real rival.
He also knew that, aside from Kith and Odian, the other males hadn’t yet become Nina’s official guardian beasts. They were merely her suitors.
But Odian was also a formidable opponent. Rumor had it he was particularly favored by Nina.
“My… my breakfast dishes are still decent,” Finch muttered.
His confidence wasn’t very strong. Nina had praised his food before, but compared to the other males, his cooking skills really were weaker.
Still, since everyone else was making breakfast for Nina, he couldn’t fall behind.
Looks like I’ll need to practice more in the future.
Sal gave a dismissive laugh.
“Hmph p>
Odian frowned slightly as he looked around.
“Why are all of you in the kitchen? Today isn’t your turn to cook breakfast p>
It was clearly his turn to make Nina’s breakfast today.
What were these annoying males doing crowding in here?
“I haven’t made Nina breakfast in a long time,” Sal said casually. “Of course I need to make up for it p>
“I suddenly felt like cooking today,” Kith said calmly.
Ever since yesterday, he had noticed how much Nina favored that leopard. Naturally, he needed to put in more effort to maintain his place.
“I want Nina’s breakfast to be more varied,” Aviel added.
With so many rivals around, if he didn’t work harder, he’d soon be sitting under the table.
Finch and Yanai didn’t argue further.
They simply focused on cooking.
Odian said nothing more either.
But beneath the quiet atmosphere, the males were fiercely competing with one another.
Off to the side, Ridan and the others watched the scene like spectators at a battlefield.
“Hey,” Ridan nudged Viann with his elbow. “Who do you think Nina will eat breakfast from today p>
“Obviously our lord’s cooking,” Viann said confidently.
“No way. I think she’ll eat ours,” Taor said.
After all, their priest’s cooking skills were pretty good.
“I say it’ll be our boss,” Ghost Wolf declared proudly. “Nina always liked his cooking before p>
“How about we make a bet?” Ridan said, pulling out ten white crystals. “Ten crystals each p>
“Deal p>
Viann and the others also took out their crystals.
The ghost wolves collectively bet on Sal.
Most of the phoenix and dragon clan males bet on their own leaders, though a few chose Kith—after all, his cooking suited Nina’s taste the most.
As for Finch and Yanai… no one bet on them.
When Nina woke up, she stretched lazily and headed to the washroom.
The moment she arrived, several males immediately approached her—each holding something related to washing up.
Odian handed her a rinsing cup.
Aviel passed her a toothbrush.
Finch squeezed toothpaste onto it.
The others stood behind them in a neat line, waiting for their turn.
“Nina, brush your teeth first. Breakfast is ready,” Odian said.
Nina blinked in surprise.
Why were they all here?
She took the cup and had just taken a sip when Odian immediately took it back.
“Nina, I’ll hold it for you. It’s a bit heavy p>
Nina stared at him.
A cup… is heavy?
But she said nothing and began brushing her teeth.
When she was ready to rinse, Odian promptly handed the cup back again.
After she finished brushing, Sal had already prepared clean water for washing her hands and face.
Kith stood nearby holding soap and face cleanser.
Yanai waited with a soft animal-fur towel.
Together, they efficiently helped Nina wash her face.
Nina felt slightly dazed.
It was like experiencing the treatment of a queen.
Once she finished washing up, Odian led her to the dining table.
“Nina, time for breakfast p>
Nina looked at the table in astonishment.
In front of her seat were countless breakfast dishes—several types of porridge, fried eggs, fried dough sticks, noodles, and more.
All of them were dishes Nina had taught them to cook.
At nearby tables, Ridan and the others were already eating.
“All of this… is for me?” Nina asked, stunned.
If it was only for her, it was far too much.
But if it was meant to be shared, it seemed too little.
“Yes,” Odian said with slight annoyance. “A few idle idiots insisted on making extra for you p>
“Nina, try the noodles I made,” Sal said eagerly. “You haven’t had my breakfast in a long time p>
“Nina, eat some eggs,” Kith added. “They’re fried exactly the way you like them p>
“Nina, have some meat porridge,” Aviel suggested. “Porridge is good in the morning p>
“Nina, do you want to try the eight-treasure porridge I just learned to make?” Finch said, though his hands now bore several fresh burns.
“Nina, today’s fried dough sticks turned out really well,” Yanai said proudly. “Crispy and fragrant p>
All six males stared at her expectantly.
They were waiting to see whose dish she would choose.
Nina felt her head spin.
How am I supposed to finish all of this?
So she took a small portion of each dish.
Fair and equal.
Ridan sighed in disappointment.
“Well, it’s a draw. Nina tasted everything p>
“Yeah,” Pado agreed. “Looks like all the lords tied p>
“But I saw Nina take two extra bites of noodles,” Black Flame argued. “I think our boss won p>
“That doesn’t count,” Taor protested. “Those noodles were longer. Of course she’d take more bites. It’s still a tie p>
“Right. A tie p>
Everyone agreed.
So they all put their white crystals back away—no winners or losers.
That morning, under the eager gazes of six males, Nina managed to eat until she was completely stuffed.
“In the future,” she said firmly, rubbing her stomach, “you should go back to taking turns cooking according to the schedule p>
At this rate, they were going to feed her into becoming a round little ball.
“Alright,” the males answered in unison.
But secretly p>
They had already begun thinking of other ways to win her favor.
After breakfast, Aviel brought Linny to his room.
He also summoned several idle dragon clan males inside.
Placing a pile of sparkling crystals in front of the little cub, Aviel held him up carefully.
“My dear Linny,” he said coaxingly, “tell Father—what does your mother like the most p>
Linny tilted his head thoughtfully.
Mother likes us good cubs the most. She says she loves us best.
A hint of jealousy rose in Aviel’s chest.
“I know that,” he said patiently. “But besides you, what else does she like p>
Linny happily played with the shiny crystals in his claws.
Nothing else. Mother only likes us.
Aviel withdrew one hand and gently poked the cub’s chubby cheek.
“How could that be? Think carefully and help Father. Otherwise, one day you might end up being raised by your stepfather p>
He waved another crystal temptingly.
“And he definitely won’t give you this many pretty crystals p>