Chapter 247: All together
At last, Vincent could hold back no longer.
In an instant, he turned the tables—no longer passive, but taking control with a force that bordered on feral intensity.
The temperature in the room rose, climbing higher and higher...
The black silk ribbon was torn away, falling to the carpet alongside their disheveled clothes.
Like a storm long restrained, Vincent unleashed everything he had been holding back—his restraint, his control, his longing, his devotion—pouring it all into Rory.
Rory felt like a fragile boat caught in the heart of a tempest, helpless against the surging waves. All she could do was cling to him, letting him carry her through the rising and falling tides...
Outside the window, daylight faded into night...
...
When Rory regained consciousness, two days had already passed.
Vincent lay on his side beside her, one arm tucked beneath his head, the other loosely draped around her waist. A few strands of his hair had fallen forward, brushing lightly against her cheek with each steady breath he took.
"You’re awake?"
His voice was so gentle it seemed to melt into the air.
"Rory, you’ve been asleep for two days. I fed you Yuel’s flowers and nutrient solution while you were out. Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Two days?
Rory blinked, her hazy thoughts slowly coming back into focus.
She moved her arms, testing her body.
Surprisingly, she felt... incredible. Strength coursed through her limbs, her mind clear and energized.
"I’m fine," she said, sitting up. "I actually feel great."
She pushed aside the covers, about to get out of bed, but Vincent immediately reached out and pulled her back into his arms.
"You just woke up. You should lie down a bit longer," he said. "If there’s anything you need, tell me. I’ll take care of it."
Rory pried his hand off with a small huff.
"I want to take a bath. That’s something you can’t do for me."
Even though her body felt clean after sleeping for two days, she still wanted to soak properly—let the nutrient bath restore her skin.
Hearing that, Vincent leaned in close to her ear, his warm breath brushing against her skin as his voice dropped low.
"Who says I can’t help? Rory... I could wash you myself."
Meeting his crimson gaze—filled with undisguised desire—Rory refused without hesitation.
"No." She pushed him away.
Wasn’t two days enough already?
She had no doubt that if she let him follow her into the bathroom now, that "bath" wouldn’t end until tomorrow morning.
"I’ll do it myself. Go get me something to eat. I’m starving."
The moment she finished speaking, she slipped out of bed and practically fled into the bathroom. With a decisive bang
, she shut the door and locked it behind her. Outside, Vincent stared at the firmly closed door for a moment—then let out a low, helpless chuckle, his expression soft with indulgent affection.
His Rory... how could she be this adorable?
Vincent chuckled softly as he lifted the covers and rose from the bed. With an easy motion, he retrieved his clothes from his storage ring and dressed at an unhurried pace.
After tidying the bed, he stepped out of the room to prepare something for her to eat.
***
Downstairs, in the living room
The moment Nix saw Vincent finally emerge from Rory’s room, he hurried over.
"Is Rory awake? Is she hungry?"
Previously, whenever Rory bonded with one of them, she would sleep for two days—but by the second day, the others would take turns looking after her.
But Vincent, determined to prove himself, had monopolized her for three whole days.
While she slept, he hadn’t allowed anyone else into the room, insisting on caring for her alone.
The other men in the household had spent those three days quietly fuming, but none dared to speak up.
After all, they had been the ones to tease Vincent first.
No one wanted to risk him settling the score afterward.
Now, thoroughly content and in an excellent mood, Vincent had no intention of holding past grudges against them.
Smiling, he said to Nix, "Rory’s awake. She’s taking a bath right now. I’m going to make her something to eat—you don’t need to stay here. Go take care of your own things."
At that, Nix immediately replied, "Jasper and I already prepared the food. I’ll go plate it and bring it upstairs to Rory."
They had experience by now—every time Rory woke after bonding, she would be starving.
Vincent understood. After three days without seeing her, they were all eager.
He nodded. "Go ahead."
The moment he got permission, Nix rushed toward the kitchen.
Jasper, who had been waiting by the kitchen entrance, turned immediately to serve the food.
Yuel and Xarion stood up from the sofa and quickly followed.
No matter who cooked or carried the food, they were all going to deliver it to Rory together.
Even Paros joined them, heading into the kitchen.
Within seconds, several tall men were crammed into the space.
Vincent watched the scene unfold, rolled his eyes in speechless amusement, then turned and headed back toward Rory’s room.
After finishing her bath, Rory stepped out of the bathroom only to find several men already gathered in her room.
She froze for a moment, then frowned slightly, confusion flickering across her face.
"Why are you all here? Did something happen?"
"Nothing’s wrong," Yuel said as he walked over, his smile gentle as ever. "Rory, we haven’t seen you for days. We missed you... so we came to keep you company while you eat."
"Exactly!" Nix chimed in immediately.
The others nodded in agreement.
Rory: "..."
Vincent had already set the table, arranging the dishes and utensils neatly.
He looked at her with a soft smile. "Rory, weren’t you hungry? Come eat first."
She was starving.
Glancing at the others, she said, "Then don’t just stand there—sit down and eat with me."
They were already here anyway. Might as well all sit together.
Xarion, who had been standing closest to the sofa, reacted instantly and took the seat nearest to Rory’s place setting.
Jasper frowned. That guy moved fast.
Without hesitation, Jasper claimed the seat on her other side.
These two... how were they so quick?
Watching this unfold, Nix nearly despaired.
How had he not thought to grab a seat first?
If he had, he could’ve been sitting right next to Rory.
Yuel glanced at Jasper and Xarion, then smiled softly before taking Rory’s hand.
"Rory, you haven’t seen Terry in a few days, have you?" he said gently. "Feel him—hasn’t he grown a little?"
Guiding her hand upward, he let her touch the small fruit resting atop his head.
"These past few days, Terry has missed you terribly. He kept asking when he could see you again."
As Rory’s fingers brushed against the little fruit, it stirred awake almost instantly.
"Mother!"
Terry’s soft, babyish voice lit up with joy the moment he saw her.
"Mother, I finally get to see you! I missed you so much!"
The sweet, clingy tone melted Rory’s heart.
"Terry, sweetheart... I missed you too."
The tiny fruit wiggled happily, nuzzling against her fingertips.
Yuel’s smile grew even softer. "Let’s eat first. Terry can stay with you."
Still holding her hand, he led her toward the table.
With effortless ease, he guided her into a seat—then smoothly took the place at her right.
Xarion, who had originally secured that prime spot, was quietly edged aside without even realizing it.
Xarion’s face darkened instantly.
Shameless.
Absolutely shameless!
Using a child to compete for affection—how utterly despicable!
His sharp gaze shot toward Yuel like a flurry of blades, but Yuel acted as though he hadn’t noticed a thing. He simply continued smiling gently at Rory, attentively serving her food.
Rory leaned slightly toward him, softly stroking Terry while chatting with the little one.
Watching the scene unfold, a thought suddenly struck Xarion.
If I had a child too... wouldn’t that help me win her attention like this?
Maybe... he should have one?
...That actually didn’t sound like a bad idea.
But would his Female Master be willing to bear him a child?
Rory, of course, had no idea what was going through his mind.
She had just finished eating when her light brain chimed.
It was a message from Gina.
Gina:Rory, are you back yet? I’m about to grow mold in this hospital... I can’t even go out. Do you have time to come keep me company? T_T
The pitiful little emoticon at the end made Rory chuckle.
She quickly replied: Just finished eating. I’ll head over to see you in a bit.
After sending the message, she looked at the men seated around her.
"I’m going to the hospital to visit Gina. Who wants to come?"
Almost in perfect unison:
"I do!"
The harmony in their voices made it seem as if they hadn’t just been subtly battling over seats moments ago.
Rory nodded. "Alright, then we’ll go together."
After saying that, she had Xarion and the others clean up the table while she went to prepare a gift for Gina.
She had brought back quite a few valuable items from the water region—just the right chance to give Gina a couple.
Considering Gina was still recovering, Rory also carefully selected some mild, nourishing supplements.
Paros walked over, looking at her with an almost pleading expression.
"Big sister... can I go with you?"
Earlier, Nix had said she was taking her partners along—but Paros wasn’t one of them yet.
So technically, he shouldn’t go.
He hadn’t seen Rory for three days.
He missed her.
He wanted, just like the others, to hold her hand—but he knew he couldn’t. Not yet.
If he couldn’t hold her hand, then at least... staying where he could see her was enough.
Right now, he didn’t want her leaving his sight for even a moment.
Rory hadn’t planned on bringing him.
But then she remembered his unstable mental state. Leaving him alone at home... what if something went wrong?
After a brief pause, she nodded.
"Alright. You can come with us. We’ll go together."
Paros’ face lit up with joy.