Are Beast Nobles Supposed to Be This Lewd?

Mirabelle found herself walking beneath the ancient trees once more.

Their massive trunks rose like living pillars, stretching impossibly high before giving way to colossal branches that reached even farther into the sky. Somewhere above, perhaps a hundred meters overhead, an endless canopy of emerald leaves swayed gently in the morning breeze.

Sunlight filtered through countless tiny gaps, painting the forest floor with shifting patches of gold that danced with every rustle of the leaves.

The air beneath the trees felt wonderfully cool.

Even though she knew the summer sun was already blazing outside the forest, only soft warmth reached her here. Every now and then, a pleasant breeze wound its way between the enormous trunks, carrying with it the rich scent of moss, damp earth, wildflowers, and fresh greenery.

Somewhere high above, birds greeted the morning with cheerful songs, their voices echoing through the vast woodland until they blended into one peaceful melody.

The forest felt safe.

As though the ancient giants themselves were quietly watching over everything beneath their branches.

Her Töthoughts slowly drifted to the memories of the morning.

She had awakened nestled against Silas’s broad chest.

The panther Beastman had still been asleep, one arm tucked behind his head while the other rested loosely across the blankets. Sometime during the night, she must have climbed onto him.

Behind her, Lucien had been curled against her back, one arm draped comfortably around her waist while his cheek rested against her shoulder blade. His slow, steady breathing had brushed warmly across the back of her neck.

Then the bedroom door had opened.

Kaelith stepped inside carrying a large breakfast tray. The delicious aroma reached her almost immediately.

Freshly baked pastries. Warm bread.

Sweet berries. Honey. Something savory she couldn’t quite identify.

The scents drifted lazily through the room, mixing with the fresh morning air pouring through the open balcony doors.

Outside, birds chirped happily from the gardens below.nA cool breeze wandered inside, stirring the curtains and carrying the scent of blooming flowers into the bedroom.

For several peaceful moments, no one had said anything.

Kaelith had smiled the moment he noticed she was awake.

"Good morning."

His voice had still carried the pleasant roughness of someone who hadn’t been awake for very long.

Those two simple words had felt like the perfect beginning to a new day.

Now, as Mirabelle continued walking beneath the endless canopy of ancient trees, she couldn’t help smiling to herself.

With a quiet hum, Mirabelle turned her attention back to the translucent window floating in the air before her.

It was the System notification that had greeted her earlier that morning.

Right in the middle of breakfast.

Pebbles certainly had an odd sense of timing when it came to delivering important messages.

["Achievement Unlocked"]

[Perfect Harmony

For the first time, all active mate bonds have been successfully synchronized through simultaneous mutual bonding.

The foundation of your family has deepened.

Relationship Stability: Increased

Mate Bond Resonance: Enhanced

Reward:

+2,000 Legacy Points

System Note: Congratulations.

New Passive:

The bonds now stabilize one another more efficiently during periods of emotional or physical stress.]

Mirabelle was more than a little perplexed.

The fact that what had happened the previous night — something that still felt almost dreamlike to her — had earned its own Achievement... and even rewarded her with Legacy Points... was strange enough.

But the newly acquired passive skill puzzled her even more.

According to the System, her mate bonds would now stabilize one another more efficiently, helping regulate periods of intense emotional or physical stress.

That sounded like nothing but an advantage.

Still... the fact that the passive skill had apparently been unlocked as the result of the four of them sharing a bed together left her at a complete loss for words.

With a thought, she dismissed the translucent notification and let it dissolve.

Then she focused on the path ahead.

Or rather...

On the task waiting for her.

Once again, she was making her way toward the temple. This time, however, without her mates.

Today, she was supposed to receive the Beast Goddess’s confirmation that she was worthy of becoming the next Duchess.

She had absolutely no idea how the ceremony would unfold.

But considering what had happened the last time she’d visited the temple she felt perfectly justified in being nervous.

The moment Mirabelle stepped onto the great plaza, her feet slowed almost of their own accord.

The Temple of the Beast Goddess still rose before her with the same breathtaking majesty she’d remembered, its white stone gleaming beneath the morning sun like something that belonged more to the heavens than to the mortal world.

But today...

The plaza was alive.

Dozens upon dozens of Beastmen moved quietly across the brilliant white stone.

Young parents carried sleepy pups in their arms.

Elderly Beastwomen leaned on beautifully carved walking staffs.

Towering stags stood beside tiny squirrels.

Foxes. Badgers. Lynxes. Wolves. Boars.

Hares. Even species Mirabelle couldn’t immediately recognize wandered peacefully among one another.

Nobody hurried.

Nobody raised their voice.

The entire square was wrapped in a calm that somehow seemed stronger than silence itself.

Every sound felt softened. Like entering a forest after fresh snowfall.

The large circular flowerbeds that surrounded the plaza overflowed with roses, lilies, flowering shrubs, and climbing ivy. At the center of each stood one of the enormous bronze offering bowls.

Citizens approached them one after another.

Some carefully laid polished apples into the bowls. Others offered pears, berries, hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts, fragrant herbs, or small jars of honey.

Each offering was placed down with surprising care. Almost lovingly.

Near the broad staircase, the new fountain sparkled beneath the morning sun. It had been carved from the same flawless white stone as the temple itself.

At its center stood a statue of the Beast Goddess. The expression on her mask was serene. Both hands were cupped gently before her.

Crystal-clear water flowed endlessly from her palms into the basin below, where it danced and shimmered like liquid glass before spilling over the edges in countless tiny streams.

Mirabelle couldn’t help but marvel at the craftsmanship. It was hard to believe a stone-affinity user had created such an intricate statue in so little time.

Several pilgrims knelt beside the fountain. Some cupped the cool water in their hands to drink. Others washed their faces before bowing their heads in quiet prayer.

Throughout the plaza, Beastmen knelt facing the temple.

Some whispered prayers too softly for Mirabelle to understand. Others simply remained still, eyes closed, their ears relaxed as though merely standing here eased burdens they had carried for far too long.

A gentle breeze wandered across the square, stirring loose strands of fur and making the white banners hanging from the temple sway softly overhead.

Mirabelle slowly drew a breath.

The scent of blooming flowers drifted lazily through the air, mingling with cool water, fresh herbs, warm stone, and the faint sweetness of ripe fruit.

Something inside her relaxed. She hadn’t realized how tense she’d been until now.

Even surrounded by so many people, the place felt... peaceful. Healing. Sacred.

It felt as though the Beast Goddess herself had reached down and wrapped the entire plaza in quiet comfort.

Then movement caught her eye. The priest was already waiting near the foot of the great staircase, exactly where she had met him before.

As she began walking toward him, several Beastmen noticed her. Recognition spread quietly through the crowd.

One after another, heads dipped respectfully.

Some offered small bows. Others simply placed a hand over their chest before inclining their heads.

Mirabelle smiled warmly at each of them.

"May the Beast Goddess walk beside you."

The blessing came naturally. Several smiles appeared in return.

A few softly echoed the words back to her before returning to their prayers.

When Mirabelle reached the priest, he simply inclined his head in greeting before turning toward the temple entrance. Without a word, he began walking inside.

Mirabelle quietly followed.

The massive doors remained closed to everyone else. Apparently, that alone was enough for the Beastmen gathered outside to understand that the sanctuary was not open to visitors today.

As the heavy doors swung shut behind her, the lock settled into place with a soft click that seemed almost too quiet for something so immense.

Cool air immediately embraced her. The sounds from the plaza vanished. Silence returned.

The moment her eyes adjusted to the dimmer light, she found herself looking up once more.

The colossal statue of the Beast Goddess dominated the sanctuary exactly as she remembered. Her wings were still spread wide.

They silently bore witness to everything that had happened here with her mates only two days earlier.

For a brief moment, Mirabelle simply stood there, letting the memory wash over her. Then she noticed the priest continuing toward the altar.

His footsteps echoed softly across the polished stone floor, steady and unhurried.

She came to a stop before the statue, just as she had two days earlier.

The priest remained silent for a moment, allowing her to settle into the stillness of the sanctuary before he finally spoke.

"Today, Mirabelle of Luchsenstein, you stand before the Beast Goddess to ask for her acknowledgment as the future Duchess of your people... and for her blessing to accompany your reign."

His voice echoed softly through the vast hall before fading back into silence.

Then he moved.vUntil now, both of his hands had remained hidden within the wide sleeves of his robes. Slowly, he withdrew one of them.

Resting across his open palms lay a small golden knife.

Its hilt had been carved into the serene mask of the Beast Goddess.

Mirabelle blinked.

She hadn’t expected that. Nevertheless, she accepted it.

The metal felt surprisingly warm against her skin, as though it had been resting in sunlight rather than hidden inside the priest’s robes.

She looked up at him questioningly. Behind the white mask, however, she couldn’t read a single hint of his expression.

"Please offer your blood to the Goddess."