Chosen Mate Of The Beastmen Empire

Recently, a nearly fanatical trend had swept through the capital.

In the east of the city, a small shop quietly opened. The store wasn't large, just a two-story building, but its decorations were particularly unique and eye-catching- a huge window made of a single piece of transparent crystal.

When sunlight shone through, the whole room brightened, creating a strange and wondrous scene never seen before.

Although the shopkeeper claimed it wasn't crystal but glass, the common folk had never heard of glass. But they all knew that something shiny had to be good, especially since the high-ranking ladies and noblewomen were flocking into the shop like bees to honey.

The shop sold a wide variety of goods, from large items like folding screens and cabinets to small items like earrings and bead necklaces, but they all shared one thing in common: they were made of glass.

Since these were fine items, their prices were no different from what the public thought of as jewels. Moreover, since only this store sold them, their rarity made them even more valuable, and the prices soared.

The larger, more expensive items on the second floor were out of reach for anyone except high-ranking officials. Many wealthy young heirs, arrogant when they arrived, demanded to see only the best.

However, once they heard the price, they immediately deflated and, though embarrassed to leave empty-handed, reluctantly spent vast sums on smaller ornaments before leaving in a huff.

Not everything, however, was so expensive. The smaller items on the first floor were reasonably priced. The delicate hairpins and bead flowers were striking, and though the price was low, ordinary families could still afford them and buy one to please the women at home for a long time.

As for the more intricately crafted jewelry, it was displayed on the second floor, where only the wealthiest could afford them.

This careful division ensured that people of all financial backgrounds could browse.

The shopkeeper was kind-hearted, greeting everyone with a smile. Even if someone didn't buy anything, they would still be offered a warm cup of tea, so hardly anyone left empty-handed.

Part of the reason was that it felt awkward not to buy something, but also because the items were so exquisite that anyone with extra money would find it hard not to part with it.

Since the opening of this shop, even though it didn't have a sign, the whole street in the east of the city had benefited, and the formerly struggling restaurant across the street had experienced a revival. By mealtime, it was always packed with people, doing brisk business.

In the restaurant's top-floor private room, the window was half-open, letting in a cool breeze. Luckily, the room had a heater, so it wasn't uncomfortable.

Nyx sat cross-legged by the window, her posture relaxed. One hand propped up her cheek, and the other gently stroked a cat, enjoying the sight of the glass shop's busy flow of people with her mate.

The shop was making money hand over fist, and it was no exaggeration.

She was calculating how much the carnings could buy in terms of food, armor, and supplies, and when she got excited, she couldn't help but grab the little cat lying on her lap and take a deep breath.

The kitten's cry was soft, its tail wrapping around her arm. Every movement seemed carefully designed to be irresistibly tempting.

Nyx had recently been obsessed with making money, so tired at night that she would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. He couldn't bear to wake her, and the pent-up energy inside him was burning.

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He thought, 'Now that the business is stable, it's time for her to pamper me, right?'

Nyx and the cat locked eyes.

From those deep blue animal eyes, Nyx could read desire and expectation. Her face flushed red, and she was initially a bit annoyed, thinking that males only ever had those kinds of thoughts. But the irritation quickly faded.

At the peak of adolescence, full of vigor and energy, it would be odd not to crave such things.

Her mate was not a womanizer. He had feelings for her, and that was what made him desire her.

If it weren't for that, with their current status and identity, they could get any woman they wanted. But they poured all their energy into her, pitifully waiting for her to show affection.

It was her who had been so preoccupied with the distant Pale Wolf that she neglected the one beside her, Aurelius.

Nyx deeply reflected on herself, lowered her head, and kissed the kitten on its little head. Feeling its four fluffy paws starting to lift her skirt, she immediately blushed and grabbed it. "This is in broad daylight, though."

Even if they were to do sex, it would have to wait until they returned to the palace.

The window was still open, the guards were still outside, and there might even be hidden bodyguards nearby.

The soundproofing of the restaurant wasn't very good, and she could clearly hear the voices of a few people next door playing drinking games.

Nyx instinctively pricked up her ears, concentrating to listen. A few sharp clinks sounded, followed by the sound of liquid flowing, as if someone had knocked over a cup in their drunken stupor.

"Master Lewis, be careful- Ouch... Did I hurt myself?" asked one voice.

"It's fine. It's just a shame about this fine wine glass," replied another.

"Hah, what's so special about that?" The drunk man, a young gentleman, was clearly the highest-ranking among the He seemed utterly dismissive of his friends' concern. "It's just a jade cup, why are you all making such a fuss over it?

"I recently acquired a set of glass cups. I'll show you sometime. Now that is something."

Before he could finish his sentence, flattery came pouring in.

"Glass cups?"

"Hiss-Now that is a rare item."

"We'll just have to wait for Master Lewis to show us, then."

Lewis Anders, flattered to the point of feeling elated, burped and said, "Do you all know the origin of glass?"

group.

Regardless of whether they knew, everyone around him saw his tone and unanimously shook their heads, signaling that they didn't know.

Since they were so ignorant, Lewis saw it as a chance to show off. Excited, he started, "I heard the owner of the glass shop used to be an ordinary merchant from the northern lands.

"His family had been trading with the northern nomads for generations, dealing in cheap jewelry and gemstones. Then one day, the family elder dreamt of being guided by the mountain god and discovered a way to turn sand into treasure. The mountain god even bestowed the name 'glass."

Nyx couldn't help but laugh as she listened.

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This Lewis gave off the impression of a wastrel, but he actually summarized the story she made up quite well, concise yet to the point.

Lewis continued, "Last year, the elder passed away and left behind a batch of glass he had made. But his miraculous ability didn't get passed down. The family is full of timid and cautious people, afraid that their treasure would be coveted, so they never dared to show it to anyone.

"It wasn't until they connected with an imperial merchant that they sent most of the glass pieces to the palace, finally feeling

at ease."

He thought, 'When the poor suddenly become rich, they can't handle the weight of such treasures. It's like holding a hot potato, and the slightest mistake can result in powerful people devouring it without leaving a trace.

'But once the treasure caught Aurelius's eye, things changed dramatically. Under Aurelius's gaze, who would dare be

reckless?'

The rest of his story was as follows: Not long ago, Aurelius rewarded Lady Nyx the merchant for offering the glass treasure with a beautiful plain crown lotus- glass ornament.

The merchant then held a flower-viewing banquet for the ladies of the capital, and after that, so many nobles started asking about the glass that the merchant simply opened a shop to sell the remaining pieces. He said the stock was limited and would sell out soon.

Once they heard that the treasure was in limited supply, no one could resist the temptation of scarcity marketing. Anyone with some capital rushed to buy before everything sold out, and even though it was an expensive luxury item, the rich families scrambled to get it.

Listening to the chatter next door, Nyx shook her head and sipped her tea, not feeling guilty at all. She thought, "These wealthy families, with all their money, who among them have clean hands?'

She had no qualms about taking some silver from these people to donate for military funds.

As for whether the true method of making glass would ever be revealed, that was

no longer her concern. At least not until two generations later.

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Turning sand into treasure-her story might have been a bit of a stretch, but it wasn't entirely a lie.

Just as she was happily petting the cat, the conversation next door suddenly shifted and turned toward her.

"Speaking of rare items, glass is indeed rare, but it's still just a decoration. It's not

as practical as the telescope that Lady Nyx presented. I heard that thing is like the

legendary All-seeing Eye, very mystical."

"Is that true? It's not a scam, is it?"

"None of us have seen it in person. Have you, Master Lewis?"

Lewis hadn't seen it either. Facing the eager eyes of his followers, his expression was somewhat awkward, but he quickly straightened up. “My father played with the telescope at a court meeting. He said it's truly powerful. It can enhance vision a hundred times."

He could boast about this, but Nyx couldn't even bear to listen.

A handmade telescope from ancient times was barely usable. A hundred times more powerful? Where would that come from? she thought.

The others didn't understand all that, and since they followed Lewis's lead, they

believed whatever he said, all expressing

their awe.

"I'd love to see it with my own eyes."

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"Lady Nyx actually has such skills. If she were a man, I would definitely want to

befriend her

"As expected of the wife of the Expedition General, a woman who doesn't fall behind men"

"Teh." Lewis suddenly laughed, "Do you really believe that the telescope was her achievement?"

He thought, "These guys are really foolish. Not many of the ministers believe it. A woman from humble origins, unnoticed, rarely leaving her house, and hardly reading any books-where would she get the ability and skills to create a telescope?

"You might not know," he added with a more ambiguous and lecherous smile, chuckling a few times, "As soon as Duke Read went on his expedition, Aurelius couldn't wait to bring Lady Nyx into the palace to take care of her.

"In fact, the two of them were already involved before, and Aurelius even took her along when he went to the Temple for the New Year..."

He thought, 'No matter how close you are to a brother, you still have to be careful about taking care of his woman. Clearly, there is something more than just friendship between Aurelius and the general's wife

"Aurelius probably credited the telescope to her to flatter her, huh?" Lewis laughed

loudly, but then suddenly froze, hearing a deep growl of fury, which startled him. "What was that noise?"

It sounded like a tiger's roar.

Those around also heard it, exchanging nervous glances, fear written across their

faces.

But when they quieted down and listened carefully, the noise was gone, as though it had been a brief illusion.

"What tiger could be in a small tavern like this? It's probably just a street performer doing sound tricks." Lewis wiped the sweat off his forehead, trying to keep calm.noveldrama

Although he'd never heard of any street performer who could imitate a wild beast's roar so perfectly, there was no way it was an actual tiger nearby.