Chapter 153
Nina pressed a hand to her chest.
For some reason—perhaps only in her mind—there was a faint, lingering ache there, as though something had been pierced long ago and never fully healed.
A quiet, unsettling intuition rose within her.
Her arrival in this beast world… might not have been an accident.
“Nina, what’s wrong p>
Sal had sensed the moment she woke. When he looked over, he saw the sheen of sweat across her brow, her face pale and shaken. His expression softened with worry as he gently wiped the dampness away.
“I had a nightmare,” Nina murmured. Her voice was faint as she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Sal… I want to go sleep with the little ones p>
“Alright p>
He carefully dried her off, helped her change into fresh clothes, then carried her toward the children’s room.
Odian stirred the moment they entered.
He glanced outside—the sky was only just beginning to pale with dawn.
A flicker of confusion crossed his face. “Nina? Why are you here so early p>
“She had a nightmare,” Sal said simply. “She wants to sleep with the children p>
Odian immediately noticed the pallor of her face. He reached out, taking her hand gently.
“Don’t be afraid, Nina. We’re here with you p>
Nina managed a small smile.
Odian shifted aside to make space. She lay down beside the children, while Sal settled on her other side.
The bed was large—more than enough to hold them all without crowding.
As Nina gathered the children into her arms, the unease in her heart gradually eased.
Odian pulled her into a soft embrace, his voice low and soothing.
“It was only a nightmare. Don’t be afraid. Sleep a little longer p>
Sal took her hand, his grip steady and reassuring. “We’re all here p>
Warmth spread through her chest.
But sleep didn’t come easily.
After a pause, Nina spoke again, her voice quiet.
“Odian… Sal… there’s something I want to tell you p>
“Go ahead. We’re listening,” Odian said, forming a sound barrier around them to keep the room undisturbed.
Nina hesitated briefly, then said,
“I’ve never told you who I really am. In truth… I’m the Spirit Princess of Spirit Stone City p>
She had expected at least a flicker of surprise.
Instead, they remained completely calm.
Encouraged, she continued, “I was framed by my half-sister and taken to Sin Beast City. Even after I proved my innocence, they still used that incident as an excuse… to exile me to the wilderness p>
Her hand gently stroked the children’s hair. “I didn’t tell you before because… I thought the children might be born of sin beasts or rogues. I was afraid that if the truth about Sin Beast City came out, they would be discriminated against… or hurt p>
She lifted her gaze to them.
“Later… I started to ignore my identity. So I never brought it up. It wasn’t that I wanted to hide it from you p>
“It doesn’t matter, Nina. We never cared about that,” Odian said softly.
Her status—whatever it was—made no difference to them.
“Exactly. We don’t care,” Sal added.
If anything, he was the one reaching above his station.
Though he ruled a city, Abyss City was built by rogues—it was different from the other cities.
But now that Nina had chosen him, he was no longer a rogue.
And their children… would never have to worry about that identity.
She paused. “They’re all my former fiancés p>
“Kith and the others were your former fiancés?” Odian asked, surprised.
Nina nodded. “We had marriage agreements before. But after what happened in Sin Beast City… on the day they were supposed to come and form a bond with me, they all sent others to break off the engagement instead p>
Her tone was calm as she went on.
“How could they do that?” Sal’s fist tightened, anger flashing in his eyes. “Nina, I think you shouldn’t take Kith back. After what he did to you p>
He didn’t even bother mentioning the others.
“But… he’s done a lot for the children and me.” Nina stared up at the ceiling, her voice soft. “Actually… I can understand why they broke it off. Back then, I was ugly… and my reputation was terrible. Even if it was all slander, everyone believed it p>
“Nina, whatever you decide, I’ll support you,” Odian said. His warm hand enveloped hers, steady and reassuring. Even if he was angry on her behalf… her choice was all that mattered.
“Do they know who you really are?” he asked.
“Kith and Mino do. The others Nina hesitated. “I’m not sure. But whether they know or not… it doesn’t matter to me p>
“Nina, same here,” Sal said, his tone softening, almost coaxing. “Whoever you want to accept, I won’t object p>
Then, after a beat, he added with a faint pout, “But… if possible, I’d still prefer you accept fewer. Otherwise… I might drown in jealousy p>
Nina couldn’t help but laugh. She reached out and pinched his cheek lightly. “I know. I’ll try p>
Sal immediately seized the opportunity. “Nina, I’ve been so well-behaved—you’ll have to favor me more in the future p>
Not to be outdone, Odian leaned closer, gently nipping at her ear.
“You can’t play favorites, Nina p>
Nina sighed.
How did this turn into a competition for affection?
She withdrew her hand and pulled the children into her arms. “I’m sleepy. I’m going back to sleep p>
“Alright. Sleep—we’re here with you,” Odian said, holding her a little tighter.
“Mm p>
This time, Nina closed her eyes—and slowly, finally, drifted back to sleep.
Far away, in a desolate corner of the wilderness, a man sat cross-legged within a strange, intricate formation.
His eyes snapped open.
“So… it really is you. The little princess of Spirit Stone City p>
Before him floated a green crystal, wisps of black energy curling from its surface like smoke.
He reached out, closing his hand around it.
His gaze turned toward the direction of Half-Mountain Tribe.
“I’ll find you soon p>
Morning came quietly.
Odian and Sal had woken early, but neither moved. They stayed where they were, keeping Nina close.
They were afraid—if she woke again from another nightmare, and found no one beside her, she would be afraid.
The children woke before Nina.
Seeing Odian and Sal there with them, they blinked in surprise.
Why are Father Odian and Father Sal both sleeping here today?
The children blinked in quiet confusion, their small faces full of curiosity.
Seeing that Nina was still asleep, they instinctively kept silent, careful not to disturb her.
Yinny reached out and gently patted Sal.
Sal opened his eyes at once.
The little one rubbed his round belly and mumbled softly, “Father Sal… hungry p>
Odian, too, had already sensed that the children were awake. He cast Sal a brief look— Take them to drink milk. I’ll stay with Nina.
Sal gave a slight nod, then gathered the children into his arms and carried them out.
The moment they stepped outside, Kith and the others noticed.
They immediately moved to prepare milk for the children.
Taru, meanwhile, pulled Finch over. “Show me—I want to make it myself for my grandchildren p>
The first time he saw feeding bottles and powdered milk, he had been genuinely astonished.
To think—these things could replace beast milk, even a female’s own milk… and be even better for the children.
It was incredibly convenient.
Though he was deeply curious about where such things came from—and how—they were made, Finch had never told him.
So he didn’t press.
But he had a strong feeling… It all had something to do with Nina.
In the beast world, when a female lacked milk or chose not to nurse, males would usually find suitable animal milk to feed the young.
But Nina had so many children.
This method suited her perfectly.
Once Taru finished preparing the milk, he handed a bottle to Didi.
“Didi, this is the first time I’ve made it. See if it’s alright p>
Didi accepted it quietly and began to drink.
He gave no response.
Taru’s expression faltered slightly—just a hint of defeat—but he quickly recovered, undeterred.
Nearby, Sal and Mino had already prepared bottles for Momo and the youngest.
They passed them over.
But today, something seemed… off.
The youngest looked listless, her usual liveliness dimmed. After only a couple of sips, she turned her head away, refusing to drink more.
Sal frowned slightly. “What’s wrong? Does it not taste good today p>
They hadn’t made it wrong… had they?
The others glanced over, concern flickering across their faces.
The little one shook her head weakly.
“Don’t… want p>
Even she didn’t know why.
She just felt… tired. Unwilling. As though even drinking milk was too much effort.
Then she lifted a small hand and pointed toward Nina’s stone house.
“Want… Mama p>
Right now, she just wanted to be with her mother.
“Alright,” Sal said softly, immediately gathering her into his arms. “I’ll take you to her p>
He turned and carried her back.
Watching them leave, Ming’s brows furrowed, unease settling in his chest.