Surprisingly Delicious

"Mm." Byron White replied.

"Thank you so much!" Grace said. "President, I really don't know how to ever repay your kindness."

"So, can you agree to my request now?"

Grace blushed shyly and nodded, "Once I return to the Vermilion Kingdom, I'll break off the engagement with him!"

"Good, I'll be waiting for your good news." Byron White's eyes brightened, clearly excited. He said to Grace, "It's chilly in here, we shouldn't stay long. Let's head out!"

"Wait a minute!" Grace called out.

"What's wrong?"

"You... close your eyes." Grace said, her face turning red with embarrassment.

"Hm?" Byron White looked at her, half-amused, half-intrigued.

"Just close them!"

Is she... planning to kiss him?

His Highness really does have good taste; with her looks, it's no wonder any man would lose control.

Byron White raised his brows and closed his eyes.

At that moment, inside the magical space, Cutie Pie was hanging from Beanie's branches, trying to figure out the mystery of this dragon-infused Spirit Tree.

Beanie wrapped its vine around Cutie Pie, trying to drag him away, and the two started a chaotic scuffle.

The fish in the lake and the birds in the woods all trembled and hid away in fear.

Suddenly, the real Frostbound Casket entered the space.

The surge of powerful spiritual energy made both the dragon and the tree stop fighting and go over to investigate.

Beanie seemed to think this thing looked tasty and immediately tried to wrap the casket with its vine, wanting to crush it and put it in the virtual array.

With the strength of that vine, it really might be able to break it apart.

The Antler Serpent bit down hard on Beanie's vine.

Beanie instantly backed off, hurriedly signaling it wouldn't cause trouble anymore. Only then did Cutie Pie release its grip.

Beanie's vine stretched and twisted itself into a human shape, its eyes spinning mischievously before it pointed slyly outside.

Evan Xiao focused his senses outward and saw... Byron White, eyes shut, lost in a world of suggestive thoughts.

Meanwhile, Grace was standing in front of Byron White, inching closer and closer to him!

What on earth is she trying to do?

Cutie Pie glanced at Grace, then at Byron White, and suddenly transformed into a streak of green light. From the array behind the ancient tower, it grabbed a piece of dried jerky meant for the Direwolf Titan and stuffed it into Byron White's mouth.

Byron White suddenly had something shoved into his mouth, and the movement was so rough it nearly knocked out his teeth.

He spat it out and stared, eyes wide: "What is this?"

"Uh... that's my homemade jerky."

"You told me to close my eyes just to feed me this?"

"That's right! I made it especially for you," Grace said. "I'm great at cooking—my mom always says whoever marries me is truly blessed! Go on, try it."

Byron White obediently put the Direwolf Titan jerky in his mouth and started chewing.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "It's actually really delicious."

Grace smiled sweetly. "You like it? If you do, I'll make it for you every day!"

Byron White finished the whole piece. "Deal!"

...

After leaving the palace, Grace bid farewell to Byron White, saying she needed to return to the Vermilion Kingdom.

Byron White said that as soon as she breaks off her engagement, he'll marry her right away.

Then, looking reluctant to part, he saw her off.

Once out of Byron White's sight, Grace immediately entered the magical space and demanded of Cutie Pie, "Hey! What were you doing just now?"

Cutie Pie glared at her coldly, as if to say: Shouldn't I be asking you that?

"I only tricked him into closing his eyes so I could swap the Frostbound Casket! Then I planned to give him a keepsake sachet as a token of affection," Grace explained. "What did you think I was doing? You actually stuffed his mouth full of jerky!"

Really?

Cutie Pie's expression softened.

"For a snake, you sure act like a person!" Grace teased. "From now on, you're not allowed to sleep with me anymore! Go sleep in your own snake den!"