Chapter 396: First come, first served?
Yuel reached out, intending to transfer Terry into his own arms. The little boy wasn’t exactly light anymore, filled out with the healthy plumpness of his new form, and the vine beast was worried Rory would tire herself out carrying him.
Before his fingers could touch the boy, however, Rory gently nudged his hands away, shaking her head.
"No." She hugged Terry a fraction closer, a fiercely protective warmth in her eyes. "He’s my baby. I want to carry him myself."
Terry looked at Yuel, his bright eyes wide with innocent mischief, before tightening his little arms like a vice around Rory’s neck. "I don’t want Daddy to carry me either."
Yuel: "..."
Rory couldn’t help but smile, gathering the soft, oversized cloak securely around Terry until only his chubby little face peeked out like a seedling. Atop his head, the tiny, vibrant flower bud bobbed gently as he looked up at her, utterly enchanted.
"Come on, Terry," she murmured, her voice dripping with affection. "Mother’s taking you out to have some fun."
"Okay!" Terry’s eyes sparkled, practically dancing with excitement. "I’m going out to play with Mother!"
The small group soon filed out of the dim, chilly underground chamber together. Walking half a step behind, Lian couldn’t resist casting a teasing side-glance at Yuel.
"It looks like your son doesn’t care much for you anymore, now that his inherited memories are gone."
Yuel shot him a look as flat and cold as a winter stone.
"My son, not liking his father?" He scoffed under his breath, though a tiny, smug smile tugged at the very corner of his lips. "As if. He doesn’t dislike me at all. He simply loves his mother even more."
Then, he swept his eyes up and down Lian’s pristine silhouette, delivering the final, devastating blow: "Someone without children wouldn’t understand."
Lian: "..."
This vine really knew exactly how to make himself utterly insufferable.
Carrying her precious bundle, Rory soon emerged into the main upper halls, reuniting with Nix and the rest of the waiting household.
"Rory!" Nix practically bounced across the floor the absolute second he spotted her. "You finally came back!"
Then, his golden eyes locked onto the small, cloaked bundle nestled against her chest. He took in the tufts of fluffy, dark-blue hair and the distinct, tiny flower bud swaying atop the boy’s head. Recognition slammed into him instantly.
"Terry woke up?" His jaw dropped, his voice rising an octave. "And he grew up! Heavens, he’s ridiculously adorable!"
Nix looked like he was mere seconds away from vibrating out of his skin with sheer excitement. He dropped into a crouch, beaming a brilliant smile at the toddler.
"Terry, buddy. Would you let Daddy Nix hold you for just a little while?"
Terry didn’t answer immediately; instead, he tilted his head up to look at Rory, seeking her silent permission. When she offered a reassuring nod, the little boy obediently unclasped his arms from her neck and reached out toward Nix.
Mother had been carrying him for quite a while, and his little heart reasoned that she must be tired. It was okay to let someone else take the weight for a bit.
Nix carefully, almost reverently, scooped the little boy into his arms. The moment that soft, warm, and surprisingly solid weight settled against his chest, his wild heart completely melted.
So... this was what it felt like to hold a child. It was incredible, a bizarre rush of fierce affection. Unable to help himself, he leaned down and planted a big, enthusiastic kiss right on Terry’s plump cheek.
Terry’s tiny face instantly twisted in visible, profound disgust. He turned his head away so fast his flower bud whirled.
Mother kissing him was a blessing from heaven, but why was Daddy Nix—a giant, boisterous male—trying to slobber on him too?
Nix, completely oblivious to the silent rejection, let out a booming laugh. In the next smooth motion, he hoisted Terry high into the air, making the boy squeal, before settling him comfortably astride his broad shoulders.
"There!" Nix grinned like a rogue, looking up. "Terry, if you see absolutely anything you like in this place, just tell Daddy Nix. I’ll buy the whole room for you."
Standing right beside them, Jasper instinctively kept one steady, massive hand hovered just inches beneath Terry’s back, tracking his balance in case he slipped.
"Be careful," he chided, his brow furrowed with worry. "Don’t let him fall, Nix."
Vangar strolled over, a predatory but fond smirk playing on his lips as he reached out to gently pinch Terry’s soft, marshmallow-like cheek.
"Nix..." He raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Can you even manage a toddler? You look ridiculous."
He then flashed a rare, incredibly soft smile at the little boy. "Terry, how about Daddy Vangar carries you instead?"
Earlier, while Rory had been holding him, Vangar hadn’t wanted to interrupt the sacred space between mother and son. But now that Nix had him? All bets were off.
Aren stepped forward as well, crossing his arms over his chest, his expression stern but his eyes fixed on the child. "You two are entirely too careless. I should be the one carrying him."
Vincent calmly injected himself into the fray, his tone perfectly composed, though his eyes betrayed his intent.
"Terry isn’t very familiar with either of you yet. It would logically be better if I held him. Frankly, none of you know how to cradle a child properly."
Lian finally joined the increasingly absurd debate, flashing his signature gentle smile at Nix.
"Terry just woke up, his equilibrium is still adjusting. He shouldn’t be riding on someone’s shoulders like a wild beast. Let me carry him instead."
Right at that chaotic moment, Xarion appeared from the adjoining corridor, smoothly pushing a beautifully crafted, velvet-lined baby stroller that looked like it belonged to royalty. He looked at the bickering crowd with an expression of complete, parental disapproval.
"You’re all insufferably loud, insisting on wrestling over him." He patted the polished rim of the stroller proudly. "Wouldn’t Terry be infinitely more comfortable lying down?"
He looked up at the boy on the shoulders, his expression softening into a warm smile. "Come on, Terry. Daddy Xarion will push you around like a prince."
From the other side, Wen materialized, holding up a delicate wind chime crafted from shimmering sea pearls. The tiny gems clinked together with a soft, melodic tinkle with every micro-movement.
"We can hang this on the canopy," he offered softly, his eyes warm. "Terry can play with the sound for now. As soon as we get back to the estate, I’ll craft you some proper toys, little one."
One after another, the formidable beasts eagerly offered up their best ideas, competing like courtiers for a young king’s favor.
When the flurry of voices finally hit a lull, Paros stepped forward. His demeanor was as serene and gentle as a calm ocean, his eyes pooling with an ancient, warm light as he gazed up at the boy.
"Terry..." his voice was a soothing, velvety whisper. "Do you still remember Daddy Paros?" He smiled, extending a hand. "Would you let me hold you for just a little while?"
"No."
Before Terry could even process the question to answer, Nix instantly snapped, rejecting the request on the spot. He wrapped his arms protectively around the toddler’s legs, shifting his weight to shield him from the encroaching hands as he glared at the entire gathering of high-ranking beasts.
"I was the first one to hold him!" he barked, pointing a definitive finger over his shoulder toward the back of the room.
"If any of you want a turn... get in the back of the line. Seriously, don’t you beasts understand the fundamental law of first come, first served?"