novelraw Chapter 230: A pumpkin?
Chapter 230: A pumpkin?
The elders fell silent.
One by one, their gazes shifted toward Ethan Gabriel.
After all, he was the only one among them who had any real rapport with Rory—if anyone could speak, it had to be him.
Ethan’s lips twitched.
Useless. The lot of them. When it mattered, not one of these old fossils could step forward.
He forced a smile at Rory and spoke, "Master Rory, you’ve only just arrived in the Water Domain—why not stay a while longer? There are still many places you haven’t seen yet."
The other elders quickly chimed in.
"Yes, yes!"
Ethan ignored them and continued, "Why not remain a few more days? I’ll have proper residences prepared for your partners. And we can arrange for some of the dragon clan’s young males to accompany you. We have many promising young men—each one of them quite—"
"Elder Ethan." Vincent cut him off smoothly.
Was this old man trying to help Paros—or make things worse?
Offering more males... right in front of him?
Ethan blinked, feigning innocence. "Yes, Prince Vincent? Is there a problem?"
Shameless old fox.
Vincent smiled faintly. "My Female Master has other matters to attend to once we return. We won’t be staying long in the Water Domain."
"As for your ’excellent young males’... perhaps you should save them for other females."
Yuel already had a child. And he himself hadn’t even completed his bond yet.
And this man still dared to try slipping more competitors into Rory’s side?
Dream on.
After speaking, Vincent turned to Rory. "Female Master... what do you think?"
The way he said it sent a small jolt through her.
Female Master.
Rory blinked, momentarily stunned.
This was the first time she had seen Vincent show jealousy so openly—especially in front of the dragon elders.
This was the Second Prince of the Firebird Clan.
Raised on rules and propriety.
And yet here he was... She met his gaze—those phoenix-like eyes, smiling, yet brimming with something deep and unmistakable.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Not that she was afraid.
She simply chose... to follow her instincts.
"My Vincent is right. I do have important matters to attend to once we return. I can’t stay in the Water Domain for long."
The dragon elders were stunned. Not just by Vincent, but by Rory’s response.
The Second Prince of the Firebird Clan had just spoken for her, making a decision in her place.
And she didn’t object. She agreed. Without hesitation.
If anything, she had indulged him.
Their shock deepened. Rory’s favor toward this firebird prince... was far greater than they had imagined.
The elders all turned at once, their gazes landing on their own Dragon Lord—who stood behind Rory in silence, having said nothing this entire time.
All of them were eleventh-rank powerhouses, proud and noble beings.
So why was their Dragon Lord... so utterly outmatched compared to Prince Vincent?
Just look at Vincent’s methods—and then look at their own Dragon Lord...
...Sigh.
Ethan and the others could only sigh inwardly, one after another.
At last, Ethan spoke, resignation clear in his voice. "Master Rory... if you wish to leave, we have no grounds to stop you. And no right to do so."
He hesitated, glancing toward Paros. "It’s just that... our Dragon Lord, in his current condition..."
Rory followed his gaze. The moment Paros saw her look at him, he reached out and grasped her hand tightly.
"Big sister... don’t leave me here alone."
He wasn’t just unstable—he was dangerous. If left unchecked, within days his mental state would spiral completely out of control... ending in self-destruction.
Vincent sat quietly beside Rory.
He could stop others from pushing new males toward her, but this decision... was not his to interfere with.
After all, Paros had once been her matched partner.
Rory hesitated.
"Big sister... please don’t leave me." Paros tightened his grip, his voice low, pleading. "I’ll be obedient. I won’t cause you any trouble."
A man like him—so commanding, so untouchable—reduced to this...
Rory felt something twist faintly inside her. It wasn’t really pity. More... a sense that he shouldn’t be like this.
After a moment’s thought, she turned to Ethan. "I can’t stay in the Water Domain. But... if you’re willing, and if you trust me—Paros can come back with me."
"We’re willing." Ethan didn’t hesitate for even a second.
How could they not be? If Paros didn’t go, he would die.
"Master Rory, please stay one more day. I’ll have everything prepared. Tomorrow morning, our Dragon Lord will leave with you."
The insect race had just been driven back, suffering heavy losses among their eleventh-rank forces.
They wouldn’t return anytime soon.
Paros’s temporary absence from the three domains was something the elders could accept.
Rory and her group also needed time to prepare.
"Then it’s settled. We leave tomorrow morning."
At her words, Paros’s grip tightened instinctively, unwilling to let go.
Vincent glanced at him, then said calmly, "Rory, Yuel should be finished soon. Since everything’s settled, let’s go wait for him and Terry."
Rory checked the time on her light brain. They should be coming out soon.
She nodded—and only then noticed Paros was still holding her hand.
"Paros," she said gently, "go with Elder Ethan and pack your things first. Once you’re done, come find me."
He didn’t want to go.
But Ethan was waiting. And Rory was watching him.
Reluctantly, he nodded. "...Big sister, wait for me. I’ll be back soon."
Ethan shot Rory a grateful look and quickly led Paros away. This was their Dragon Lord’s rare chance to remain by her side—he absolutely had to teach him properly.
How to win favor.
How to compete.
By the time they returned... perhaps their Dragon Lord would already be her partner.
Watching them leave, Rory immediately pulled Vincent along toward Yuel’s chamber.
Just as they arrived, the doors opened.
Yuel stepped out. Resting quietly atop his head was a deep-blue little fruit.
"Rory." He walked toward her at once.
"Mommy!" Terry leapt excitedly the moment he saw her, bouncing high into the air.
Now that he had returned to Yuel, his vines had grown longer—his jumps higher, livelier.
Rory’s heart nearly leapt into her throat. "Terry, don’t jump so high! What if your vines snap and you fall?"
What if he hit the ground and got hurt?
At once, Terry stilled obediently. "Mommy, Terry won’t jump anymore."
Yuel smiled, gently stroking him. "It’s alright," he said softly. "I’ll protect him. His vines won’t break."
"I see..." Relieved, Rory reached up and lightly touched the little fruit, who seemed to have grown plumper already.
"As long as it’s safe, Terry can jump as much as he likes."
"Awuu!" At once, Terry bounced happily again.
Rory looked at Yuel. "So... Terry will stay like this on your head?"
Yuel had said before—it would take three years.
Three years before he could take human form. Terry had already grown from the size of a blueberry to that of a grape.
After three years... how big would he be?
...The size of a... pumpkin?
The image of Yuel walking around with a pumpkin perched on his head flashed through her mind.
Her lips twitched involuntarily.