Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 87: Do I look desperate to you?!

Rory reacted first.

Like someone caught in the middle of a cheating scandal she had never intended to create, she shoved Nix away with every ounce of strength she had, her heart slamming wildly against her ribs.

"Jasper, I can explain—!"

Damn it, stupid brain, not now!

Why would my mouth betray me at a time like this?!

"Jasper, please—just listen to me!" she blurted out in a rush. "This isn’t what it looks like, I swear!"

Nix, still reeling from the sudden rejection and utterly bewildered by it, reached out toward her with hesitant uncertainty. His voice came soft and small. "Female Master..."

"Just—wait a second," Rory said sharply, waving him off without even glancing in his direction. Her attention was locked entirely on the projection hovering in front of her. Right now, nothing mattered more than making Jasper understand.

"It’s all right, Rory."

Jasper’s voice came through the projection calm and even—too even. Gentle, composed, and controlled, just as it always was, as though nothing could rattle him.

"I only called because I wanted to let you know that Nix’s recovery should be complete very soon."

Earlier, during their previous call, Jasper had noticed subtle but promising changes in Nix’s condition. His aura had stabilized, no longer fluctuating erratically, and the flow of his energy had smoothed into something steady and healthy.

He had meant to tell her then, had even opened his mouth to do so—but the moment had slipped away. When the thought resurfaced later, he’d contacted her immediately.

He hadn’t expected this.

"Well..." Jasper paused, his gaze lingering on the scene before him for just a fraction of a second too long before he deliberately looked away. "I suppose you already figured that out."

A faint smile touched his lips, brittle at the edges, as though it might shatter if held for too long.

"I won’t interrupt you two," he added quietly, his tone courteous and distant all at once. "Please... continue."

The projection remained, steady and silent, but the space it left behind felt suddenly heavier than before.

The last word came out strained.

Jasper had always known this moment would arrive someday. Rory could never belong to him alone—not truly. Still, he hadn’t expected the reality of it to strike this quickly, or this sharply.

After a brief silence, he spoke again, concern overriding everything else.

"Rory, Nix has only just recovered. His power might still be unstable. If he gets overly excited..." He hesitated. "Just be careful. I don’t want him to hurt you."

The words twisted painfully in her chest.

That sounded so wrong.

She hadn’t done anything wrong at all.

"Jasper, please believe me!" Rory said desperately, her voice trembling. "Nothing happened—nothing at all! It’s just a misunderstanding! Nix recovered suddenly, and he didn’t even have time to get dressed. That’s all!"

She was this close to swearing on the stars themselves.

"I promised you," she pressed on fiercely. "I said I’d bond with you first—and I meant it. I still mean it. You have to believe me."

Nothing could shake her resolve.

The first bond had always been meant for Jasper.

Her words struck him harder than any accusation ever could. Even now—especially now—she remembered her promise.

Warmth flooded his chest... followed swiftly by guilt.

He hated that she was waiting for him like this.

"Rory," he said softly, his voice gentle but weighted. "It may take me longer to advance to the next rank. If you don’t want to wait, you don’t have to. We’re all your suitors. Whoever treats you sincerely..." He swallowed. "I won’t resent you for choosing them."

"I’m not in a hurry," she interrupted immediately.

Do I look desperate to you?!

"Jasper, don’t worry about that. Focus on your advancement. We’ll move forward at our own pace. No matter how long it takes—I’ll wait for you."

She had made her decision long ago.

And Jasper was worth every second.

He listened in silence as she reaffirmed her faith again and again. Emotion welled up inside him until he had to look away.

"...Thank you," he said quietly. "I believe you."

How unbelievably lucky he was—to be chosen like this.

It was late, and he didn’t want to keep her any longer.

Before ending the call, he added, "Rory, Nix’s ability is still volatile. Have him spend time in the training room for the next few days. It’ll help stabilize him."

"I will," she replied firmly. "I’ll make sure he does."

When Jasper’s projection finally faded, Rory released a long, shaky breath.

Thank goodness...

He really is easy to reassure.

Nix, however, sat beside her with his shoulders hunched and his gaze fixed on the floor.

He hadn’t interrupted while she spoke—but every word had pierced straight through him, especially when she said she would bond with Jasper first.

He knew he had no right to protest.

He had arrived later.

She had fallen for Jasper first.

Of course she would choose him.

Still... it hurt.

His eyes glimmered red as he looked up at her, tears threatening to spill.

Rory turned toward him, guilt heavy in her chest. The poor guy looked utterly crushed. She quickly tugged the blanket back around his shoulders.

"Nix," she began softly, "I know what I said hurt you, but—"

"Female Master, please don’t," he said gently, wrapping his arms around her before she could finish. "You don’t have to explain. I understand. Jasper came first. It’s only right."

He rested his forehead against her shoulder.

"I won’t compete with him. And I don’t want you to feel pressured."

Then, hesitantly, he leaned forward and brushed a soft kiss against her lips.

When she didn’t push him away, his breath hitched.

"Female Master..." he whispered, barely daring to hope. "Can I... can I be the second?"

Right now, it was only him and Jasper. He didn’t know about the others—but second place didn’t sound unreasonable, did it?

Rory looked down at him—the sincerity, the vulnerability, the hope shining in his eyes—and felt her resolve soften.

She nodded.

"All right," she said quietly. "I promise."

Nix froze.

Then his gloom vanished in an instant, replaced by pure, radiant joy.

If he’d been in his beast form, he would’ve been rolling across the floor without a care in the world.

"I knew it!" he said happily, practically glowing. "You really are the best, Female Master!"