After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back

Chapter 199: Always wanted to ride a dragon

On their way back, they happened to run into Setan.

Nina was just wondering whether she should offer a polite greeting when—whoosh—he bolted away as if fleeing from something terrifying.

Nina blinked, shocked.

So... he really did dislike her.

In that case, she’d better keep her distance from now on. After all, he had helped her before. There was no need to make herself unwelcome.

The males beside her raised their brows slightly.

Well, at least this lion didn’t seem like a rival.

Still... it was their first time seeing a male actively avoid Nina.

Setan returned to the cave in a foul mood and fell into silence.

"What’s wrong with the lord? Why does he look so out of it?"

"No idea. He was fine yesterday."

The lion warriors exchanged puzzled looks.

One of them stepped forward.

"My lord... did you lose something?" He looked exactly like the time he himself had lost a valuable crystal.

"No," Setan replied curtly. "Is everything packed? Don’t keep... them waiting."

He paused slightly on the word them.

"Yes, everything’s ready."

Setan fell silent again. The others could only shrug and eat their breakfast.

Not long after, Aviel returned, carrying Nina in his arms.

Inside the cave, Odian and Mino had already prepared breakfast.

They first helped Nina wash up, then carried her to the table.

Only after she had finished eating did they bring up the matter.

"Odian, help us mark the bond with Nina," Aviel said, unable to hide his excitement.

Odian glanced at Nina, surprised. She gave him a small nod.

"That’s fine," he said calmly. "But we’ll do it one by one later. The marking is best done on the day of the bonding itself. Let Nina rest for a couple of days first. After last night... she must be exhausted."

The males immediately agreed. After all, there was still the most important ritual of bonding.

And on that night, Nina would belong solely to the one being bonded.

They could wait. She deserved the rest.

Nina silently agreed as well.

Odian was always thoughtful.

Nearby, Taru pulled Finch aside, barely containing his excitement.

"Nina really agreed to bond with you?"

Finch’s face lit up with joy. "She did."

"Wonderful!" Taru was overjoyed.

At last, his troublesome son had a future—and the matter of the Spirit Pearl would be much easier to handle.

The dragon guards were equally delighted. Their lord was finally getting married.

Meanwhile, Aron walked over to Yanai, who had been quiet and withdrawn since returning.

"You were there last night too, weren’t you? Did you..."

Even though he already knew the answer, he couldn’t help asking.

"No." Yanai lowered his gaze. "I’m not worthy." He paused, voice soft. "I just want to stay by her side and protect her. I don’t dare hope for anything more."

Aron sighed. "I understand."

So his son had truly given up—even when the chance had been right in front of him.

He gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and walked out.

Yanai’s gaze drifted toward Nina, filled with quiet longing.

As if sensing it, Nina looked up.

Their eyes almost met, but he quickly turned away.

A trace of confusion flickered through her mind.

Was he there last night too?

If he was... why had he left?

Everything had been too chaotic. She couldn’t quite tell anymore. But since he hadn’t come to speak to her... perhaps he hadn’t been there at all.

She let the thought go.

After tidying up, she prepared to lead everyone to rendezvous with Rosen and the others.

Aviel suddenly transformed into a massive dragon. "Nina, let me carry you today. It’s very stable on my head."

Nina smiled. "Alright."

She had always wanted to ride a dragon.

With the little ones gathered around her, she climbed up and settled atop his head.

Aviel let out a resounding dragon’s roar and shot into the sky, carrying Nina and the little ones with him.

The cry was clear and soaring—filled with boundless joy.

Moments later, Viann and the others followed, their thunderous roars echoing through the air as they rose together. The sky seemed to glow gold beneath their presence, a breathtaking and awe-inspiring sight.

Sal clicked his tongue.

"Show-offs... flying creatures are the worst."

Still, the rest quickly followed behind.

Aviel and the dragons flew high—so high it felt as though they were skimming the edge of the clouds.

Wisps of mist drifted beneath them, soft and dreamlike.

The dragon clan loved soaring into the clouds, but mindful that Nina and the children might not be used to it, they held back—flying high, but not too high.

The little ones, who had mostly flown at lower altitudes before, were bursting with excitement.

They looked around in wonder, eyes shining.

"Mother, I like flying high!" Mimi chirped happily.

Shushu, flying this high for the first time, was even more thrilled—his bright eyes sparkling.

Mother, can we go even higher?

Nina laughed softly and patted Aviel.

"Can we go a bit higher?"

"Of course."

He surged upward again.

The children squealed with delight, their laughter ringing through the sky.

Seeing how happy they were, Viann and the others began performing aerial flips beside them.

Ridan and the others joined in as well.

Linny tried to imitate them, tumbling clumsily in the air. Momo followed along curiously.

Aviel slowed his speed so they could play safely.

"Hahaha! Big brother is amazing!"

"Uncle Viann flips so well!"

"Wow! Uncle Ridan can spin!"

The children clapped and cheered nonstop.

Even Nina found herself completely absorbed.

It was her first time watching a performance... in the sky.

Their laughter echoed all the way.

After a long while, the children finally began to tire, their excitement gradually settling.

By evening, they spotted Rosen and the others waiting in the distance.

They landed and set up camp, planning to rest for the night before heading to Roro’s lair the next day.

Not long after settling in, Dian hurried off to find Lani.

"Father, give me the crystals and pearls I left with you before," he said eagerly.

Lani frowned slightly. "Why do you need them all of a sudden?"

"Because I’m going to bond with Sister Nina," Dian exclaimed, practically glowing. "I need to hand everything over to her."

Lani’s eyes widened in delight. "You’re serious? She agreed to accept you?"

"Mm! She said it herself."

Rosen stepped closer, equally excited. "How did that happen so fast? Tell your mother!"

Dian fidgeted with his fingers. "Well... I’m already her male now."

Rosen’s eyes widened. "You little rascal—you climbed into her bed? And it worked?"

"Mm... but it was an accident," Dian admitted.

Even now, he felt incredibly lucky. If he hadn’t insisted on following her that day... he wouldn’t have had a place at all.

He knew, deep down, that Nina had agreed more out of responsibility than affection.

She didn’t feel for him the way he felt for her.

If he hadn’t been there that night, he might never have had this chance.

There were simply too many outstanding males around her.

He had no real advantage.

But even so, he didn’t mind. He could wait. Wait until one day... she might truly come to like him.

Even if she never loved him as deeply as he loved her—that was alright.

Rosen laughed, clearly pleased. "Well, well—look at you! Come, let your mother add to your dowry."

She immediately had her mates bring out everything in their storage, picking out the finest items for Dian.

"Take all of this to Nina," she instructed. "And remember—from now on, you’re her male. She comes first in everything. Listen to her in all things."

Dian nodded obediently.

"I will. I’ll listen to everything Sister Nina says."

Of course he would. If he didn’t... what if he fell out of favor?

Nearby, Lex lowered his gaze, silent. A complicated ache stirred in his chest.

His younger brother had succeeded.

But what about him?

When would Nina ever look his way... even once?