Hana’s eyes were still slightly hazy from Caspian’s overwhelming kiss when the blue screen flickered back into existence, hovering just above the dragon’s shoulder.

> ​[NEW QUEST GENERATED: THE SHY PRINCE]

> Condition: Kulu has reached 99% loyalty but feels socially isolated. He has never experienced a ’human’ display of affection.

> Objective: Bridge the gap in the hierarchy. Show the Falcon that he is not just a tool, but a permanent part of the nest.

> Reward: +10,000 Karmic Points & [Item: Comfortable Bedding Set x4].

> Failure Penalty: -5,000 Karmic Points & Decreased Tribal Cooperation.

​A bedding set? Hana’s mind immediately went to the hides and rough fur she had to sleep on in the den. It wasn’t as hard as the floor, but it wasn’t as comfortable as a futon either. Ten thousand points and actual blankets? System, you really know how to bait me.

​Caspian finally pulled back, a smug, triumphant purr vibrating in his chest. He kept his arm hooked firmly around Hana’s waist, his golden eyes flicking toward Kulu with the arrogance of a king who had just reclaimed his throne.

​Kulu stood a few feet away, his vibrant red wings slightly drooped. He wasn’t angry but the look in his eyes was one of profound, quiet longing.

He looked like a child watching someone else open a gift while he never got one. He had given her his mark, he had turned his back on his tribe, and he had protected her haul, yet he stood in the shadows while the dragon took the light.

​Hana felt the ’Iron Mother’ trait thrumming in her blood. It didn’t just give her authority; it gave her a strange, heightened sensitivity to the balance of her ’nest’.

It was no wonder she felt Caspian’s pain more clearly than usual. She would’ve simply ignored it if it were any other day, but this time, she could not ignore it.

And just like she could not ignore Caspain, she could not ignore Kulu.

​She gently patted Caspian’s chest, signaling him to loosen his grip. He grumbled under his breath, a low puff of smoke escaping his nose, but he released his grip in the end and let her step away.

​Hana walked toward Kulu. The Falcon Prince straightened his posture instinctively, his breath hitching as she entered his space.

​"Kulu," she said softly.

​"Yes, Hana?" he answered, his voice barely a whisper.

​"You handled those warriors well today. And you carried the heavy burden without a single complaint." She reached up, her hand finding the back of his neck, her thumb brushing the soft, short feathers at his hairline.

​Kulu’s eyes widened. He looked down at her, his heart hammering so hard she could practically see it through his chest.

​"I told you I would make you useful," Hana continued, her voice simple and clear. "But being useful doesn’t mean you’re invisible. You are my mate, and nothing will change that."

​She leaned in, and before Kulu could process what was happening, she pressed a soft, firm kiss to his cheek—right near the edge of his jaw. It wasn’t the fiery, possessive passion of Caspian’s kiss; it was a promise. A mark of its own.

​Kulu froze. His entire sun-kissed body turned a shade of red that rivaled his feathers. He looked like he had been struck by lightning, his wings snapping open and then folding back in a frantic, confused flutter.

He had never been touched like this—not as a prize, not as a prince, but as a mate.

> ​[QUEST COMPLETED: THE SHY PRINCE]

> Reward: +10,000 Karmic Points.

> Current Balance: -1,091,880

> Bonus: [Bedding Set] has been sent to the Den Inventory.

Ah, he’s so simple. Hana thought, but not in a mocking sense. Rather, she chuckled. He was funny.

​Caspian’s smug expression vanished, replaced by a look of absolute betrayal.

"Hana! I was the good boy! He just... he just stood there!"

​Hana turned back to the dragon, her manager-persona snapping back into place as she picked up her teddy bear that had fallen while Caspian claimed her lips.

"Now, now, Caspian, don’t be jealous." She said, "Yes, he didn’t work as hard as you but he was the one who caught the fish. If he hadn’t, I’d have fainted on the trail, and you’d be carrying an unconscious me back to the den. So, stop pouting."

But he still pouted, dissatisfied by this verdict.

Hana looked at both of them—the brooding, pouting Dragon and the stunned, blushing Falcon.

​"The sun is gone, and the boars are still waiting. We have to head back to the den; if not, they cannot sleep."

They have worked hard, so I should reward them, if I can. Hana thought. Though she planned to use them as slaves, that only applied to Taga. The others had nothing to do with his rebellious mindset and were just following orders.

So, she would give them rewards for their hard work so they can work even harder in the future. Besides, she could not make a community or a village with just her mates. There had to be other inhabitants.

The boars were the first citizens.

"Let us head back."

​Caspian grumbled, but he stepped forward and carried Hana into his arms, though he made sure to glare at Kulu one last time.

Kulu, however, didn’t seem to notice. He touched his cheek where her lips had been, a dazed, smitten smile on his face as he took to the sky after Caspian.

​As they flew toward the den, Hana leaned her head against Caspian’s shoulder, watching the moon rise even higher into the sky.

​One million to go, she thought as the balance flickered before her vision. At this rate, I’ll be out of debt by the time the baby is born. Assuming these idiots don’t kill each other first.

They got back to the den, and the first thing Hana noticed was the Boars who were standing in three straight lines, all engineered by Raiden, who held a stick in one hand and the mirror in the other.

He wouldn’t stop looking at himself, but at the same time, he still kept his eyes on the Boars.

As soon as he felt the wind shift, he lifted his eyes and saw them returning. His green eyes lit up, and he hurried to where Caspian would land, but Caspian played a dirty trick on him and flew past him.

"Come back here, you big lizard!" he yelled, steam gushing out of his ears as he was enraged.