"Don't worry," Rory said gently, a soft, reassuring smile curving her lips. "Once I earn enough star coins, I'll replace this cheap nutrient fluid for you. I won't let you suffer like this for long."
Dax went quiet at once.
This female was dangerous in her own way—sweet when it suited her, sharp when needed, her words sliding effortlessly between kindness and quiet pressure. She knew exactly how to tug at a person's emotions without ever appearing calculating.
When Rory noticed that he was still standing there, fingers wrapped tightly around the nutrient packet, she continued in the same calm, considerate tone.
"If staying with me like this makes you feel wronged, you don't have to force yourself. You can apply for dissolution through the system anytime."
She paused, her eyes softening. "I'll be sad, of course. But if leaving means you'll live better, I won't stop you."
Her expression was open and sincere, every word sounding heartfelt enough to fool almost anyone.
Dax drew a slow, steady breath, forcing himself to endure. The rare ore was already gone, and he still hadn't extracted the star coins he wanted. Walking away now would mean a complete loss—unacceptable.
"Don't say things like that," he replied, forcing a smile onto his face. "Why would I leave you over a single packet of nutrient fluid?"
To prove his point, he twisted open the cap and gulped the liquid down in front of her.
Ugh—this is vile.
The taste was atrocious, like rancid metal mixed with rot. His stomach lurched violently, and it took everything he had not to gag on the spot. Swallowing hard, he somehow managed to keep smiling.
"Female Master," he said through clenched teeth, "I'll just step into the washroom for a moment. I'll be right back."
Rory nodded, ever understanding. "If you're feeling unwell, you should rest. You don't need to stay by my side all the time."
Impossible. I haven't achieved my goals yet!
"I'm fine," Dax said quickly, already turning away. "Just wait for me."
He hurried off, his steps noticeably faster than before.
Watching his flustered retreat, Rory bit back a laugh and headed cheerfully toward the kitchen. What on earth was he scheming, forcing himself through something that revolting? Hopefully he wouldn't ruin his own body in the process.
Truthfully, if Dax were honest—if he simply admitted he was broke and wanted to dissolve the match—she wouldn't make things difficult for him. She'd agree without hesitation. Instead, he tangled himself in lies and half-baked schemes, complicating matters far more than necessary.
By the time dinner was ready, Rory had laid out a steaming pot of dumplings, accompanied by two carefully prepared side dishes. The rich, savory fragrance spread through the villa, warm and irresistible.
Drawn by the scent, Paros appeared almost immediately.
Delicious. This female truly has a gift for cooking.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Dax was hunched over the sink, vomiting out every trace of that low-grade nutrient fluid. After rinsing his mouth repeatedly, he pulled out a vial of high-tier herbal nutrient fluid from his storage band and drank it down in one smooth motion.
The tart-sweet flavor bloomed on his tongue, refreshing and invigorating—exactly the kind of taste a fox like him appreciated.
Now this is what an Etherian should be drinking.
Then, suddenly, another scent drifted through the air—warm, savory, unfamiliar, and maddeningly tempting. He sniffed, glancing at the empty vial in his hand.
Not that.
Frowning, Dax pushed the bathroom door open and followed the trail of aroma straight to the dining room.
There sat Rory and Paros, already eating.
Plump dumplings floated in clear broth, garnished with vivid green herbs. Dax had never seen food like this before, yet the scent alone made his stomach twist with hunger. And in front of Rory were two plates of expertly prepared beast meat, the bold aroma speaking volumes about her skill.
"Female Master," Dax said as he stepped forward, eyes narrowing with accusation. "What exactly are you two doing?"
So they're feasting in secret and didn't even bother calling me over?
So Paros gets to eat, but I don't?
Biased. Completely biased. How dare she?
"Eating, of course," Rory replied calmly, her tone innocent, as if she hadn't done anything wrong.
"Then why didn't you call me?" he demanded, wounded grievance creeping into his voice. How could they eat something that smelled this incredible without sharing?
"I thought you preferred nutrient fluids," Rory said, tilting her head slightly, feigning confusion.
Only an idiot would prefer that garbage, of course.
Dragging out a chair, Dax planted himself firmly at the table. "I don't like them. I want real food too."
His gaze accused her openly, as if she'd committed an unforgivable offense.
Rory ignored him until she finished her last dumpling. Then she wiped her hands calmly and said, "I didn't prepare a portion for you tonight."
His eyes immediately locked onto the untouched bowl beside Paros, and he nearly drooled. "Then I'll take that one."
"No." Rory caught his hand before he could reach it. "That belongs to Paros."
"Why does only he get to eat?" Dax snapped. "Female Master, you're clearly playing favorites. Is it because I arrived later? Do you like him more than me?"
Aren't we all matches? Who's supposed to be more important than the others?
Rory met his glare without flinching. "The reason Paros gets to eat is simple," she said evenly. "He pays me. Thirty billion star coins a month for my cooking."
She leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Since you've seen this, let me make the rules clear. Until there's an official bond, everything between matched partners must be fair. If you want something, you pay for it with star coins. Once we're bonded, then we'll share everything—as a family."
Family?
Who in the galaxy would want to be family with her?
Dax nearly choked on his own fury.
So Paros hands over thirty billion, and I get nutrient fluid worth twenty star coins a packet?
She was doing this on purpose!