Are Beast Nobles Supposed to Be This Lewd?

"Do you know what it means?" Mirabelle’s mother asked the matriarch. The rich scent of old books, polished wood, and burning oak lingered comfortably in the room.

The old lynx sat in one of the heavy armchairs in the drawing room adjoining the library.

Behind her stood the salt-and-pepper-haired Beastman, one hand resting gently on her shoulder. His broad thumb absentmindedly traced slow circles through the fabric of her dress, a gesture so unconscious it spoke of decades of habit.

Mirabelle, her three mates, Leontis, the Duchess, and the former Duchess with her mate had all gathered there after returning from the temple. And Mirabelle had told them everything.

Now, silent and uncertain faces turned toward the elderly lynx Beastwoman.

One of her hands rested atop the elegant walking cane positioned between her knees.

The other covered her mate’s hand where it lay upon her shoulder.

The fire crackled softly in the hearth despite the warmth of the summer afternoon. Every now and then, a log shifted with a quiet pop, sending tiny sparks dancing behind the iron grate.

Mirabelle had already noticed that Beastmen seemed to draw an extraordinary sense of comfort and security from fire. They lit hearths even on the hottest days.

Fortunately, the castle’s clever architecture and magical air circulation kept every room pleasantly cool, allowing the flames to remain comforting rather than oppressive.

The Matriarch looked at each person in turn before slowly shaking her head.

"No. I’ve never heard of the Beast Goddess’s statue changing." She paused. "Neither its form... nor the very stone from which it is made."

Her gaze settled on Mirabelle.

She sat on one of the sofas with Silas, Lucien, and Kaelith beside her. Silas’s hand rested reassuringly on her thigh. Kaelith’s fingers were intertwined with hers, quietly keeping her from picking at her fingernails.

It was an old habit.

One she’d already had in her previous life whenever she became nervous.

His thumb brushed gently across the back of her hand whenever he noticed her fingers beginning to tense.

"It’s obvious that we have to make sure no one finds out about this," Lucien said.

For once, the fox Beastman looked far more serious than usual.

"The temple will have to remain closed for the time being."

Mirabelle’s mother nodded in agreement.

Leontis had begun pacing slowly before the fireplace, his heavy footsteps muffled by the thick carpet beneath them. Even softened by the thick carpet, each step carried the quiet weight of a male. The bear Beastman kept his hands clasped behind his back as he spoke.

"There has to be some way to find out what this means." He frowned. "Perhaps..."

Mirabelle’s mother picked up the thought:

"...perhaps we could speak with one of the High Priests at Bergheim’s Grand Temple?"

The Matriarch let out a dismissive snort. The silver rings around her cane clicked softly as her grip tightened.

"Oh, Miranda please. The Grand Temple belongs to the royal palace." Her gaze hardened. "The Queen is the very last person who should hear even the faintest whisper of this."

She looked around the room once again.

"Whatever this means... I’m fairly certain the ruling families won’t like it."

Her eyes settled on Mirabelle.

"A Beastwoman who has so clearly attracted the Beast Goddess’s attention..." She slowly shook her head. "...is not someone any ruler would want within their own kingdom."

"As the priest already said, we’ll make sure no one learns of this," Silas said.

His tone left no room for argument. The air seemed to cool ever so slightly as the shadows around the couch stirred.

"But we still have to find out what it means."

The deep voice came from Tyrius.

The salt-and-pepper-haired Beastman still stood behind Mirabelle’s grandmother. He was a gorilla Beastman.

Even without shifting into his Beast Form, it was obvious from his enormous, heavily muscled frame.

Despite his age, he stood nearly as tall as Kaelith. And somehow he radiated an even more dangerous presence than Silas.

Tyrius was the First Mate of Mirabelle’s grandmother. During the few moments Mirabelle had seen them together, she had sensed something remarkable between them.

Not merely affection. But a bond so deep and unwavering that it only could have been forged over an entire lifetime.

There was a quiet tenderness in the way they looked at one another. A complete certainty.

It was the kind of devotion Mirabelle had rarely seen between older couples in her previous world.

"The problem is that we can’t simply send someone to investigate," Lucien said.

His mind had been racing the entire time. One finger tapped quietly against the armrest before he caught himself and folded his hands together again.

"One of us will have to look into it personally."

He paused. "And we’ll have to do it in a way that can’t be traced back to us."

Silas let out a quiet groan. His jaw clenched so briefly that only Mirabelle, through their bond, noticed.

He already knew.

With his abilities, he was by far the best suited for that task. But he didn’t want to leave.

The Royal Hunting Party was just around the corner, and he had a feeling Mirabelle would need every bit of protection she could get.

He really didn’t want to leave.

His gaze drifted toward Mirabelle. She was smiling less than usual today, still thoughtful after everything that had happened in the temple. The idea of leaving her now settled heavily in his chest.

The Royal Hunting Party was just around the corner, and he had a feeling Mirabelle would need every bit of protection she could get.

"What if... we simply leave it alone?" Mirabelle asked into the tense silence.

For a moment, no one answered. Only the fire crackled softly in the hearth.

Thrn the Matriarch let out a slow sigh:

"Mirabelle."

Her voice was firm yet patient.

Like a teacher about to explain an important lesson.

"Don’t think like a mate." She held her granddaughter’s gaze. "Think like a Duchess."

Mirabelle straightened almost automatically.

"An unknown variable is a danger to every ruler."

The elderly lynx Beastwoman lightly tapped the floor once with the tip of her cane.

"And this particular unknown concerns you."

Her expression softened. "We have to understand what all of this means."

Mirabelle drew in a slow breath.

She knew her grandmother was right. She simply hated what that meant.

Sending Silas away felt wrong.

Every instinct told her to keep him close.

’Maybe... Pebbles knows something.’

The thought had barely crossed her mind when — DING! A familiar cloud of smoke burst into existence beside her.

Pebbles floated proudly in place. Before Mirabelle could even open her mouth, he cheerfully announced,

"Ten million Development Points."

’...What?’ Mirabelle’s thoughts came to a complete halt. ’...How much?’

Pebbles smiled helpfully.

"Ten million Development Points to learn the price of learning the answer to that question."

Silence.

’...Go away!’

Pebbles shrugged with two tentacles.

"As Host wishes."

PUFF!

He vanished as suddenly as he’d appeared.

Through the mate bond, all three Beastmen immediately felt Mirabelle’s mood plummet.

They assumed it was due to the circumstances, completely unaware that a tiny animated sea creature was responsible for Mirabelle’s sudden change in mood.

Meanwhile the lynx female turned toward her panther.

"Silas..."

Her voice was quiet. Uncertain.

She met his yellow eyes.

There was no hesitation in them. Only warmth. Only love.

She swallowed.

"Would you..."

The words caught in her throat. How was she supposed to ask him to leave? No matter how she phrased it... that was what she was doing.

A gentle smile softened the panther’s usually stoic features.

"I’ll take care of it," he whispered. He leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss against her forehead.

Then he straightened again. His expression became resolute.

"I trust all of you to ensure her safety during the Royal Hunting Party."

His gaze moved from the Duchess to the Matriarch. Both women nodded without hesitation.

"I’ll go with her," Leontis said immediately.

"No!"

Tyrius’ deep voice cut through the room before the bear Beastman could say anything else. The gorilla Beastman gently squeezed the Matriarch’s shoulder before stepping forward.

"You go with Silas. I’ll accompany Mirabelle."

His tone made it clear the matter was already decided.

Silence settled over the drawing room.

Even the fire seemed quieter now.

Mirabelle stared at Silas.

She had been the one to ask. Yet now that the decision had truly been made...

...every part of her wanted to take it back.

She hadn’t realized how accustomed she’d already become to the quiet certainty of his presence beside her.

Her fingers tightened around Kaelith’s hand.

The panther noticed immediately. Without a word, Silas stood up. He crouched in front of her until their eyes were level.

"You don’t have to worry." His voice was little more than a whisper. "I’ll come back."

He rested his forehead briefly against hers.

The familiar scent of cool night air and rain wrapped around her one more time.

Mirabelle closed her eyes for just a heartbeat.

Long enough to memorize it.

Long enough to convince herself that this wasn’t goodbye.

Only... later.