Sunny kept his head down, focused entirely on his food, and ignored him.
Setan leaned closer. "Sunny, look. Your father made your favorite meatballs. How about I feed them to you?"
Sunny shot him a disdainful look, then turned his head toward Sal and gestured: Papa Sal, I want the vegetable puree. You feed me.
Hmph. Bad lion. Don’t think you can win me over with food. I won’t forgive you that easily.
A playful smirk tugged at Sal’s lips. "Alright. Papa Sal will feed you right now. What else would you like?"
That foolish lion had truly crossed Sunny last time, and the cub had been ignoring him ever since.
Sunny thought for a moment, then gestured: I want some egg custard too.
Setan slumped his shoulders in disappointment. Stupid cub. We’re lions; why are you eating vegetables? Predators should eat meat. He sighed internally. Why did Idir’s food peace-offerings always work flawlessly, while his own fell entirely flat?
Sal brought over the vegetable puree and the egg custard. He scooped up a spoonful of the puree and fed it to Sunny, who swallowed it happily.
Wanting to help, Setan snatched the bowl of egg custard and offered a spoonful to Sunny himself. Surely the cub would eat what he had asked for, right?
Instead, Sunny clamped his mouth tightly shut, flatly refusing to eat. He turned away from Setan and gestured to Sal: Papa Sal, I want you to feed me, not him.
Sal let out a soft chuckle. "Well, big cat, you might as well go find something else to do. Sunny doesn’t need you here."
Defeated, Setan sighed. "Fine, you feed him then." Having failed miserably yet again, he trotted off toward Nina to seek some comfort.
After dinner, Idir consulted with Nina and handed over a sum of beast crystals to Vair and his companions. He also paid them handsomely for purchasing and maintaining the property. Though Vair’s group initially refused, they eventually accepted under Idir’s insistence.
Meanwhile, Nina went to find Phar.
Phar was curled up on a plush armchair in her room. Nina walked over and scooped him up. "Have you eaten yet, Little Snowlfake?"
Phar nodded, his ear tips flushing slightly pink. Every time his little female held him, a strange sensation washed over him—one that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.
Nina stroked his back gently. "Let’s go for a little stroll in the garden first. Later, I’ll give you a nice bath and massage."
Snowflake had done an incredible job today, and she wanted to make sure he was properly rewarded.
Phar froze, his ears turning a deeper shade of red as his heart fluttered erratically. She... she wants to give him a bath again? Should he refuse? His rational mind told him he should; after all, they weren’t mates yet, and acting like this too often wasn’t appropriate. Yet, his body refused to cooperate, utterly failing to make any motion to slip away.
Ultimately, he simply nestled shyly against her chest.
Hearing her words, Roro and Goldy scurried over, their eyes shining: Master! We want a bath too!
"Of course! I’ll wash all of you later," Nina agreed cheerfully. She pulled out several pouches of dried meat treats. "You’ve all been on your best behavior lately. Here are some dried meat treats for you." Goldy had performed brilliantly today, so she figured she might as well reward Roro alongside them.
Roro and Goldy’s eyes lit up. They absolutely adored these meat treats. But just as they reached out to grab them, a sudden chill washed over the crowns of their heads.
They slowly raised their eyes, only to meet Phar’s chilling, icy glare.
Roro and Goldy froze instantly, scrambling backward. They shook their heads frantically at Nina: No, no! Master, we don’t need the treats anymore! And we can wash ourselves too!
Waaah, Boss’s stare is terrifying! We’re scared!
With that, they dashed out of the room, ran straight to the garden pond, and dove in with two loud splashes.
Floating in the water, Roro and Goldy exchanged a look of pure misery, practically weeping. While having their master wash them was incredibly comfortable, they valued their lives more. It was better to be self-reliant. They stole a mournful glance toward the house; what a waste of delicious meat treats.
Phar watched them flee with a look of quiet satisfaction.
Nina was baffled. Why did Roro and Goldy bolt so suddenly? They didn’t even want their favorite meat treats? Shrugging, she decided she would just give the treats to them later.
She strolled through the garden cradling Phar. Seeing Roro and Goldy splashing in the pond, the cubs eagerly ran over to join in, and they were soon playing happily together, the two beasts quickly forgetting their sorrow over the lost treats.
After their walk, Nina gathered the cubs and Phar for bath time. The husbands took charge of washing the cubs, leaving Nina to bathe Phar.
Setan tried to sneak over to Sunny’s side to help wash him, only to be rejected once again. Left with no choice, he stood by, occasionally handing over towels and helping out. He stole a glance at Nina and felt a wave of envy; he wished Nina would wash him too.
Nina wet Phar’s fur and prepared to wash him, starting from his head. But as her hands neared, Phar suddenly raised his paws to cover his forehead.
Nina looked at him, puzzled. Why is he covering his head? Is he hurt?
Gently grasping his tiny paws, she tried to pull them away. "Little Snowflake, is your forehead hurt? Let me take a look."
Phar shook his head, keeping his paws firmly in place. For some reason, he really didn’t want her washing that spot.
Watching from nearby, Idir felt a sudden flicker of suspicion. Why is this little white beast acting so strangely? The spot he’s covering is exactly where... Idir narrowed his eyes. But he’s just a spiritual beast. Am I overthinking things?
Concerned, Nina gently but firmly pried Phar’s paws away to inspect his forehead. Seeing that there were no cuts or bruises, she let out a sigh of relief and meticulously finished washing him.
Once he was clean, she dried him off with a soft cloth and carried him back to his room.
Phar couldn’t help but touch his clean forehead, a strange sense of emptiness suddenly washing over him.
As Nina stepped into the room, she noticed Phar’s little nest on the bed. Roro and Goldy had already returned, curled up in their respective beds in the far corner.
Nina looked at the large, comfortable bed, then at the two beasts huddled against the wall. Huh? The bed is huge. Why are they sleeping all the way in the corner? Though slightly puzzled, she didn’t dwell on it.
She placed Phar gently into his nest, then laid down a generous portion of dried meat next to him. "These are for you."
Walking over to the corner, she did the same for the other two. "And these are for you guys."
Roro and Goldy clutched the dried meat, practically vibrating with joy: Thank you, Master!
But their happiness was short-lived as they felt that familiar, icy pressure settle over their heads once more. Just as they were preparing to hand over their hard-won treats in despair, the pressure suddenly vanished.
Looking up, they saw their master happily stroking and massaging their boss, who wore an expression of absolute, blissful relaxation.
The two beasts felt a pang of envy, but their eyes quickly locked onto their meat treats. They exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes sparkling.
Excellent! Master is completely distracted! Quick, let’s eat the treats before he notices!
Turning their backs to Phar, they tore open the packaging and began devouring the dried meat like starved wolves.
Phar opened one eye, casting a brief glance in their direction. Whatever. I’m in a spectacular mood today, so I’ll let it slide.
He quietly shifted his gaze to Nina’s soft lips, feeling a sudden dryness in his throat.
After giving him a final, thorough pat, Nina stood up and left the room. Phar watched her retreating figure, a trace of reluctance lingering in his chest.
Perhaps... he should try to earn these kinds of rewards more often in the future.