How to describe it?
The taste was strange.
It was a blend of various things humans could digest—grains, vegetables, fruits, and the like—formulated to meet all of the body’s basic needs.
While not exactly disgusting, having to eat it for every single meal made her feel a visceral wave of nausea at the very sight of it…
She ate at a snail’s pace, but Mary Mani watched with fascination.
‘I can’t believe even the way a human pet eats is so gentle and pretty,’ they thought.
‘I really want to pet her~’
Cheng Xi, finding it even harder to swallow, was left speechless.
“…”
…
Night fell, and the Royal Palace was brilliantly lit.
All the nobles of the Royal City had gathered for the banquet.
Today was a special day.
It was the one-hundredth birthday of Duke Hotte, the youngest Duke on Rabbit Star!
Rabbit Star was a planet of high civilization, home to numerous long-lived species.
Their defining characteristic was the ability to switch freely between human and beast forms.
They were natural-born warriors and possessed immense power.
The higher their bloodline rank, the more difficult it was for them to reproduce.
This, combined with an innate love for their young, meant that despite their formidable appearances, they all had a fondness for soft, cute things.
As a result, they often invaded other planets, bringing the “delicate” natives back to their own world to keep as pets.
It was a hobby of theirs.
Because the Rabbit Star People were so long-lived—even a Beastman with the lowest bloodline rank could live past three hundred—they didn’t celebrate their birthdays annually.
Instead, they celebrated at certain milestones.
These were their first, tenth, one-hundredth, and two-hundredth birthdays, and so on.
A Beastman’s life cycle was divided into four stages: cubhood, youth, adulthood, and old age.
And today was Duke Hotte’s one-hundredth birthday, which meant he was officially entering adulthood.
In the grand hall, nobles mingled with glasses in hand, the lights as bright as day, painting a picture of pure extravagance.
Hotte leaned against the railing of a second-floor terrace, gazing up at the river of stars overhead.
The beautiful night sky inexplicably brought an image of a pair of eyes to his mind.
‘He had to admit, that human pet’s eyes were truly beautiful, like one of the stars in the sky.’
Downing the strong liquor in his cup in one gulp, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why the sudden gift of a female human pet?”
“You were the one who issued the ban, and now you’re the one breaking it. Aren’t you afraid the other nobles will object?”
To his left was an exquisite little table holding two bottles of strong liquor.
Seated at the table was a distinguished male who bore a slight resemblance to Hotte—Hunter, the Beast King of Rabbit Star.
Hunter’s golden eyes were majestic and cold, but those who knew him well could detect a hint of frustration.
“You think I wanted to?”
“This batch of the highest-quality humans was almost completely bought out. This was the only female human pet left. Today is your one-hundredth birthday, and there’s nothing else you lack. After thinking it over, I figured I might as well get you the most popular pet in the Royal City.”
Hearing this, Hotte gave a half-smile.
“Scandals of nobles getting privately involved with their human pets have been popping up frequently these last few years.
You’ve lost your temper over it more than a few times.
Why aren’t you afraid I’ll make the same mistake?”
Hunter looked at his younger brother, his expression that of someone worried sick, and said in an earnest tone, “Compared to a scandal, I’m more worried whether my little brother has a problem in *that* department.”
“…” Hotte’s smile froze on his lips.
Hunter continued, “Hotte, you’re 100 years old this year.
When do you plan on finding a female and getting married?”
“I think Duke Philis’s youngest daughter is quite nice.
I’ll arrange a meeting for you two in a few days.
You should be considering marriage.
If things work out, the human pet I got you can be a betrothal gift.”
“…” The smile vanished from Hotte’s lips.
His brow twitched violently.
“My dear brother,” he said irritably, “what on earth gave you that delusion?”
“I just haven’t found a female I’m interested in yet.
Duke Philis’s daughter won’t do.
I don’t like her personality.”
Hunter said angrily, “Then who *will* do?
Just bring me any female, I don’t care who!
You’ve already entered adulthood, yet you still haven’t found a mate.
A Beastman who hasn’t started a family is just a child, no matter how old he is.
How am I supposed to answer to our dead parents?”
“…”
Looking at his nagging, marriage-pushing brother, Hotte said coolly, “You married early, tying the knot in your fifties.
But didn’t you still have to wait until you were over two hundred for your mate to finally conceive a cub?”
“I’m only a hundred.
Maybe I’ll find a female I like in a few years and have a cub the year after.
You didn’t conceive until you were past two hundred, so what’s the rush?”
His words were a blunt, merciless jab at his older brother’s heart.
“…” Hunter was left speechless by the comeback.
He laughed in exasperation and stood up.
“I think you’re asking for a beating! Don’t you dare let your Queen hear you say that. She’s been rather emotional during her pregnancy. If she hears this, I won’t let you off the hook!”
Hotte gave a lazy reply.
“Do I look like I have that kind of time?”
“Anything else? If not, I’m heading back.”
With that, he made a move to leave.
Hunter, a headache coming on, shouted, “Stop! This banquet is to celebrate your birthday!”
Hotte was expressionless.
“It’s boring. You know I don’t like this stuff. I’d rather go conquer a planet. I’m leaving!”
As his voice faded, his agile figure leaped from the terrace and quickly vanished into the night.
Hunter was speechless.
…
After returning from the Royal Palace, Hotte ordered Mani to bring the human pet to his room.
Cheng Xi, bewildered, was led by the hand by Mary to the second floor of the castle.
This castle was enormous, like something out of the Giant Country in a fairy tale.
Just the staircase to the second floor had more than thirty steps.
‘Good heavens, just going up and down the stairs here every day is a workout in itself.’
‘I have no idea where this Lady Rabbit is taking me now.’
After climbing the stairs to the second floor, Mary led her to the door of a bedroom.
After pushing the door open, before she could even be amazed by the sheer size of the bedroom, she saw him again—the terrifying Alien from that afternoon.
Cheng Xi lowered her head slightly.
She had a gut feeling that this male Alien was the master who had bought her.
Mary, standing beside her, said respectfully, “My Lord, I’ve brought her.”
Hotte waved a hand nonchalantly.
“Mm, you may go.
I’ve ordered a shipment of things that should arrive in about half an hour.
Be careful not to damage anything when you receive it.”
“Yes, my Lord.” Mary acknowledged, then left the room.
The reverence on her face made Cheng Xi secretly speculate about the Aliens’ hierarchical system.
‘Maybe it was just psychological, but the moment Lady Rabbit left, the air seemed to grow heavy with pressure!’
‘Being alone in a room with such a fierce-looking Alien is a little scary.’
She didn’t know what to do.
She couldn’t help but steal a glance at him, only to find that he had been sizing her up the whole time.
“Come here.” Looking at the pet standing four or five meters away, Hotte beckoned.
Cheng Xi understood what he meant.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she slowly shuffled over.