Chosen Mate of the Beastmen Empire by Lewis Reed

Chapter 409

Chapter 409

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It was afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled golden patches on the floor and bathing Nyx, who lounged on a cushioned couch, in a soft, glowing halo.

Aurelius stepped into the bedchamber, and the moment he saw her on the couch, his stern expression softened.

He waved off the attendants‘ bows and hurried over, wrapping his arms around Nyx from behind. Burying his face in her neck, he took a deep breath of her sweet scent, his eyes falling to her hands. “Nyx, are you dyeing your nails?”

Her skin was smooth and pale as fine jade, her fingertips tinged with a faint pink. She didn’t need any extra adornment to look stunning. Aurelius especially loved turning into his beast form, letting those hands pet him from head to tail.

Nyx didn’t usually fuss over her appearance, so this was the first time he’d seen her dye her nails–he couldn’t take his eyes off her, curiosity piqued.

The palace maids mashed balsam flowers into juice, soaked tiny squares of silk in it, and carefully pressed them onto Nyx’s nails, tying them in place with string.

After watching intently for a bit, Aurelius rolled up his sleeves and shooed the maids away. “I’ll do it.”

He sat right next to Nyx, squeezing onto the same chair until she shot him an annoyed glance and ended up perched on his lap, just as he’d hoped. Seeing this, the other attendants tactfully slipped out of the room.

Whenever they were together, they never needed servants hovering around–and didn’t like being disturbed either.

Aurelius had gotten good at these acts of service, handling them with a skill that made it seem like he’d been doing it every day in a past life and hadn’t forgotten a thing in this one. He took Nyx’s soft hand in his, his touch light but steady.

The cool sensation brushed her fingertips, and Nyx tilted her head slightly, gazing at the focused yet tender profile of the man beside her. Suddenly, she spoke up, “I heard you threw a huge fit at morning court today?

“Some official urged you to hold a consort selection, and you tossed him in jail?”

“Who’s been blabbing nonsense to you?” Aurelius frowned sharply. His anger flared up, but then Nyx nudged his earlobe with her nose, and just like that, he deflated, unable to stay mad.

“It’s those idiots stirring up trouble for no reason,” he grumbled, a hint of a pout in his voice as he nuzzled into her shoulder. “I ignored all the memorials they sent up before, but they wouldn’t let it go–had the nerve to bring it up in open court.”

it’d piss him off, yet someone still jumped

way, he’d thrown that pawn of an official into prison first. Sooner or later, he’d catch the tail of whoever was really behind

was nonsense,” Aurelius declared, shifting into his beast form. He poked his head out of his dragon robe’s collar and burrowed into Nyx’s arms, his blue eyes gazing up at her pleadingly. “I’m not listening

shouldn’t either.”

care, she’d gotten much stronger–though the imperial physicians all agreed she couldn’t bear children. But all

instead, her voice tinged with a smile. “But you’ve got a throne to pass down, and I can’t give you

the clan” The little white cat meowed quickly, cutting

don’t like kids.”

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17 Mar NOU

Chapter 409

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a shred of feeling in him. All he could think about was how tough it was for a woman to carry a child–maybe even life–threatening. Nyx not being able to

Nyx squinted at him, her expression odd as she sized up the little white cat. “Really?” Seeing how he doted on Sera, he didn’t exactly

blinked. If it were his and Nyx’s child, he’d probably love it out of affection for her. As long as the birth went smoothly

since Nyx couldn’t conceive, that hypothetical didn’t matter. As for other people’s kids–The little white cat’s face darkened for

smile. Tll keep that in mind.”

I’ll go tattle to the

wouldn’t hold back bullying her own dad. Aurelius might

already picture two identical fluffy white kittens tumbling around in a ball–it was so cute she nearly got a

the little white cat suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and shook out his fur.

the windows were letting in a draft. Then he reached out a paw to touch Nyx’s hand—feeling

won’t make you mad, Nyx, he promised

for having kids with someone else—that was out of the question, so Nyx wouldn’t have a chance to

straight into Nyx’s heart. Her hand warmed up nicely under his belly, but her conscience gave

off,” Nyx said with a light cough, wiggling her

palace that day, bringing her some double–petaled balsam flowers freshly grown in

and thriving. The palace maids had never seen such a rich color and couldn’t stop gushing about how pretty it’d look dyed

juice with clean water, and she spread out her slender fingers, tilting