Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 72: If I can’t see them, they can’t see me

Nix had no room left to argue.

The proof was undeniable—both the victim and the evidence were right there in plain sight. The moment Nix saw Burnt Dumpling lying helplessly on the bed, tightly bound and gagged, all the bravado drained from him. His ears flattened, his gaze flickered away, and he fell completely silent, guilt written all over his face.

Rory, meanwhile, froze at the sight.

Burnt Dumpling looked half-dead, feathers rumpled, eyes dull, his body limp in a way that sent a sharp jolt of fear through her chest. Shock gave way to fury in an instant. She didn’t spare Nix or Jasper even a glance—she rushed forward immediately, kneeling beside Burnt Dumpling and working frantically to untie him.

At the same time, Burnt Dumpling’s thoughts were in complete chaos.

After taking advantage of Rory’s kindness, he had spent the entire night locked in a fierce battle with his own conscience. By dawn, he had reached a conclusion he could no longer escape.

He had crossed a line.

And once that line was crossed, there was only one acceptable path forward—responsibility.

He would become Rory’s loyal suitor. From this moment on, his allegiance would belong solely to her.

As Rory’s fingers worked at the knots, her touch brushed lightly against his feathers. Burnt Dumpling’s entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning. Mortified, he squeezed his eyes shut.

This was unbearable.

He was injured, helpless, and being cared for by the very woman he was supposed to protect as her follower. The humiliation burned worse than his wounds. He didn’t dare look at her face.

But once he recovered—once he could stand on his own again—he would make this right. No matter the cost.

Rory froze mid-motion.

Burnt Dumpling had gone completely rigid in her hands, his small body stiff, eyes squeezed tightly shut, not a single feather stirring.

Her heart skipped violently, then slammed against her ribs.

"Oh no—Jasper," she gasped, panic surging into her voice. "I think Burnt Dumpling just... just died!"

Dead?

The word barely finished forming before Burnt Dumpling’s eyes flew open in sheer terror, pupils wide as panic flooded his expression.

Jasper, who had been watching the scene unfold with sharp attention, didn’t hesitate. He reached out and flicked Burnt Dumpling firmly on the head.

"You’re fine," Jasper said flatly, utterly unimpressed. "Why are you pretending and scaring her like that?"

Burnt Dumpling froze again—this time in genuine shock. Silence swallowed him whole. He’d only shut his eyes out of nerves, that was all! He hadn’t even twitched!

Rory released a shaky breath, relief washing through her so suddenly her knees nearly weakened.

"Don’t hit him," she said, pulling Burnt Dumpling close and hugging him protectively as she finished untying the soft bindings. Her voice wobbled despite herself.

For one terrifying moment, she had truly believed she’d lost him—and the fear of that hollow absence still lingered in her chest.

Burnt Dumpling wasn’t just some random creature—he had saved her life. If anything had really happened to him, she didn’t know how she would have handled it.

Seeing the color drain from Rory’s face, Jasper assumed Burnt Dumpling’s act had frightened her badly. His tone softened.

"Don’t worry, Rory. I checked him with my mental power. He’s very much alive."

Rory nodded but still shot Jasper a sharp, disapproving look.

"He might be tough," she said firmly, "but that doesn’t mean Nix gets to treat him like this. Burnt Dumpling isn’t a toy—he’s a living being."

She held Burnt Dumpling closer.

"If I chose to keep him, then I’m responsible for him. That means protecting him properly."

Her gaze turned serious.

"Nix was absolutely wrong to tie him up and torment him. I’m angry about that." Then she looked directly at Jasper. "But you’re not innocent either."

Jasper stiffened.

"You saw Burnt Dumpling bound and gagged," Rory continued. "Why didn’t you help him immediately?"

She didn’t play favorites. Wrong was wrong—no matter who committed it.

Jasper lowered his head at once.

"I’m sorry," he said sincerely.

Seeing the genuine remorse in his posture, Rory felt her anger soften slightly.

She turned just in time to spot Nix attempting a very poor escape.

He had buried his head beneath the blanket, tail trembling, backside sticking straight up.

"Awooo... awooo..."

If I can’t see them, they can’t see me.

Rory grabbed his tail and yanked him out without mercy.

"Nix," she said calmly, "hiding doesn’t erase what you did."

She picked up the rope that had been wrapped around Burnt Dumpling and swiftly bound Nix’s paws, then stuffed a cloth into his mouth.

"Mmmph—!"

Nix squirmed helplessly, eyes watery as he looked at Rory with every ounce of pitiful charm he could muster.

It didn’t work. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Rory remained unmoved.

She had no intention of letting this slide. If she did, Nix might think hurting Burnt Dumpling was acceptable.

"Acting cute won’t save you," she said firmly. "You messed up. That means punishment."

She turned away, refusing to meet his gaze.

Jasper was just about to laugh when Rory shot him a warning look sharp enough to freeze him in place. He immediately straightened, pulled a black-and-purple rope from his spatial ring, and offered it to her with both hands.

"Rory," he said seriously, "I was wrong too. You should tie me up as well."

"I promise I won’t resist."

Rory glanced at the rope.

It was suspiciously the same color as Jasper’s tail.

...Was that made from his shed scales?

And could a Dragon Kind really be restrained like that?

She instantly understood his intentions.

Without hesitation, she flung the rope straight back at his face.

"Tie you up?" she scoffed. "That’s exactly what you want."

"Nice try. Dream on."

Ignoring both Jasper and Nix, Rory scooped Burnt Dumpling into her arms and headed toward the dressing room to change.

Jasper reacted instantly—discarding the rope, flashing to the doorway, and blocking her path.

"Rory," he said quickly, "if you’re going to change, let me take Burnt Dumpling."