Nix hadn't even finished asking to call her "Riri" when Rory suddenly remembered something.
She grabbed one of his fluffy ears without warning.
"I haven't even settled the score with you three for sneaking around in the flowerbeds and spying on me!"
Jasper and Xarion instantly straightened. They had simply assumed she was letting it go for the sake of... the celebration.
It was all Nix's fault—bringing it up at the worst possible moment.
The banquet had already ended, though. Rory released Nix and went to bid farewell to the Empress Matriarch.
The Empress had just learned about Wen's disappearance and was in the middle of questioning officials. When she saw Rory approaching with her mates, she dismissed the others and spoke to her privately.
"Rory, I entrust Vincent to you. You must treat him well. Firebird Clan will always stand behind you both—no matter what. As long as you live in harmony."
"Thank you, Empress Matriarch."
Rory understood the worry in a mother's heart.
