Chosen Mate Of The Beastmen Empire

Nyx lowered her gaze at Joyce. She thought. This stepmother would never genuinely care about my post-marriage life, so there must be an ulterior motive behind this question

Unable to figure out why, Nyx vaguely replied, "Very well"

"Very well? Joyce blinked.

Had she heard this answer earlier, she might have believed it, but just now, her husband's words had awakened her.

Joyce thought, 'Compared to Nyx winning Erik's favor, it seems more likely that it's her behavior that has made the Read family dislike her, causing trouble for everyone related to her.

If things were truly good, why would my husband be suppressed by the Read family these past two days?

'Not only has the Read family caused them trouble, but His Majesty has also scolded my husband in court. It couldn't possibly be... that their connection with Banon was discovered? No, it couldn't be

Joyce shuddered, unwilling to consider that possibility.

Their connection with Banon was not very close, and they had always been cautious. It shouldn't have been discovered so easily.

She thought, 'It must be Nyx's fault'

"I didn't expect, after just a few days, you've made such progress, Joyce sneered, hiding her unease, and mockingly examined Nyx. "You've learned how to lie.

Nyx calmly met her gaze. There was no guilt in her eyes, only a hint of scrutiny.

After a few seconds of staring, Joyce lost the staring contest, awkwardly shifting her gaze. Though she tried to keep her composure, she spat and muttered, "Don't think just because he doesn't hit or scold you means he likes you. He doesn't even look at you."

Joyce thought, The Duke's only son, what kind of women hasn't he seen? There's no way he'd fall for Nyx, this little wench who has nothing but her looks."

"He stepped on my dignity today, and it wasn't to please you. In the end, you're just the daughter the Voss family married off. He despises you, and that's why he's taking it out on us." Joyce pointed at Nyx. "You'd better think this through." Nyx couldn't help but want to laugh.noveldrama

If she were her old self, hearing this, she would have probably believed it and felt devastated. But now, no one knew better than her whether Pale Wolf liked her or

not.

Whether he had his memory or not, she would never doubt any mate's feelings for her.

She looked down at Joyce's performance with a sense of superiority, as if watching a clown dance, saying nothing in response, not countering, just silent, waiting to see what new lie she could come up with.

In the shadows, the two shadow guards were sweating nervously. The thought, 'Oh no... Surely, the lady hasn't believed it? We'll have to report back to the master.

Seeing that Nyx was silent, a triumphant look slowly spread across Joyce's face, as if she had gained the upper hand.

After laying the groundwork, she finally revealed her true intention with a cough. "Jinx, Jules."

At her call, two maids appeared from a nearby room and walked up to her.

At first glance, it was clear they were well-dressed and wearing several pieces of jewelry.

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As they got closer, Nyx saw their faces clearly. Both were quite beautiful-one was alluring and seductive, the other pure and charming. They had completely different temperaments, but each had her own unique appeal.

The two of them curtsied to Joyce and then bowed gracefully to Nyx.

Without needing to say anything, Nyx had already figured out what her stepmother was up to.

"You're so frail" Joyce's smile couldn't hide her glee. "After you fell into the water last time, the doctor said your body was ruined. It's likely you'll have trouble bearing children.

"Although I've kept this from the Read family and didn't tell them, people can still tell from the way you look, sickly and weak. It's no wonder they don't think much

of you.

"If you want to stand firm in the Duke's residence, you'll need a child by your side," Joyce softened her tone, adopting a motherly look, and spoke to Nyx with a blend of reason and emotion.

"Jinx and Jules are both well-raised and innocent girls. You can keep them as your maids, and later, find an opportunity to introduce them to Erik. Whether they become concubines or just servants doesn't matter.

"What's important is that they can have children. Once they have kids, you can take them as your own."

After the soft words, she switched tactics and began to threaten. "No matter how much a maid is favored, one she brought from her family will always remember her kindness. "It's far better than letting your husband be charmed by an outside woman, who might eventually pressure him to divorce you once she has power." The smile in Nyx's eyes faded, and her expression turned cold.

Nyx thought, "Theon and Felix, both driven by the instincts of wild beasts, have never betrayed me. How could Pale Wolf possibly be tempted away by someone else?'

She flicked her sleeve coldly, about to refuse, but when her gaze landed on the two maids' faces, she suddenly paused.

They were so young and innocent. They looked no older than fifteen or sixteen, clearly just young girls. In the interstellar world, they weren't even of age yet, carefree and innocent.

But now, they were like two objects without personalities or dignity, controlled by others, their lives no longer their own. With just a wave of Joyce's hand, their fates could be sealed, their whole lives decided.

Even though Joyce said right in front of them that they would be used as breeding tools and their children given away, they didn't show a trace of resentment, as if they had already accepted everything.

Nyx suspected that Joyce wasn't doing this with good intentions, it still didn't stop her from feeling a twinge of pity for them. If she insisted on refusing, Joyce would likely have other ways of dealing with her.

She thought, 'What would happen to these two maids who haven't yet served their purpose? Where would they go?"

After a long silence, Nyx pursed her lips and took a deep breath. "Fine, let them stay with me."

Joyce hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. All the other persuasive threats she had prepared instantly became irrelevant. She was stunned for a moment before finally reacting. “Ah, good, I'm glad you came to your senses.”

The goal had been reached too quickly, and she was momentarily at a loss, forcing herself to say a few meaningless words before ordering Jinx to fetch a box from the room and hand it to Nyx. "This is some medicine for toning your body, sent from Wenshire.

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"It's very precious. Take it to Erik, and you can drink some too."

Nyx opened the box and was immediately hit with a strong medicinal smell, narrowing her eyes.

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At first glance, it seemed like it was just nourishing medicine, but she didn't believe Joyce had good intentions. Upon a closer look, she realized something was off.

There were two conflicting herbs inside.

If taken separately, they would indeed be beneficial, but if taken together, they would cause poisoning.

At first, it might not feel like much, but over time, her health would steadily deteriorate.

Nyx closed the box without a word, casting a glance at Joyce.

She thought, 'It's expected that Joyce wants to harm me, but why does she also

want to harm Erik? Could it really be that after the humiliation today, she's plotting

revenge?'

Poisoning the Duke's only son would come with huge risks. Nyx didn't think Joyce

had enough courage for such a major crime, unless someone else was secretly pulling the strings.