"You've been so quiet, and you haven't eaten anything. It really made my chest tighten. I was worried." Silas knew Emma only said those things to scare Lucien and the others. She would never actually cut their beast mark or break the bond. And he had no intention of pleading for them. He was just genuinely worried about her. He didn't want her anger to wear her down. "I thought you came to beg for them." Emma took the fruit from his hand and took a bite. The sweetness burst across her tongue and took the edge off the heat still simmering in her chest. After seeing her eat, Silas quietly breathed out. As long as she was willing to eat, he could relax a little. He just hated the idea of her getting so upset that she stopped eating. Her body wouldn't handle that. When Emma finished the fruit, he immediately pulled out another from his storage band. He peeled it with extra care and held it out to her. "Emy, have another one." Emma was speechless. Alright. I'm sure now that Silas really isn't here to speak up for Lucien and the other two. He's here to feed me. Edric walked over, holding a glass of juice with ice and a delicate little cake. "Emma, I made this cake and juice for you. Want to see if it's any good?" He set them down in front of her and slid into the seat on her other side. His violet-black snake tail curled gently around her waist. Emma reached out and pinched the tail at her side before picking up the juice and taking a sip. Here comes another one trying to feed me. They're really overthinking it. I'm not the type to starve myself just because I'm angry. Who would that hurt? Definitely not me. After seeing Emma sip her juice, Edric immediately grabbed the little fork next to him and handed it to her. "Emma, have some more cake. And if you're still mad, go ahead and pinch my tail. Let it all out on me. Just don't let it eat you up inside." "Edric's right." Silas nodded, and then deep blue vines snaked around Emma's wrist, whipping like a little whip. "Emy, if you're mad, hit us with the vines." We're tough and can take it. A few lashes don't bother us. Emma just stared, entirely at a loss. Hitting them? Do I look like some kind of weirdo? Emma grabbed Silas' vines and Edric's snake tail, tied them together in a knot, and tossed them back at them. "I'm not into that kind of freaky stuff." Silas and Edric both froze, totally speechless. "Relax, you guys. No need to worry about me. I'm not mad anymore. I won't go on a hunger strike, and I'm definitely not going to mess up my body over this." I'm not stupid. It only takes a second for me to figure out why Lucien is doing this. I understand him, but I disagree with his approach. If he doesn't want to be the primary mate, he could just tell me straight up. There's no need to pull this kind of stunt. This time, they need to be taught a lesson. Otherwise, they'll just do whatever they want, and how are we supposed to live at home then? Emma was nibbling on the cake Edric had made, her eyes flicking back and forth between him and Silas. Silas pulled the vines off Edric's snake tail and caught Emma staring at him. A shiver ran down his spine. "Emy, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" "No." Emma shook her head and then let her gaze settle on Edric. Edric felt a little on edge under her stare. "Emma, do you... Do you have something you want to say to me?" He had the sneaking suspicion she was plotting something. Emma set down her fork and sat up straighter, suddenly. Edric and Silas mirrored her, sitting up a little straighter themselves, their expressions turning serious. Silas said, "Emy, just say what's on your mind. We're listening." I figure Emy is probably going to bring up the primary mate thing. Lucien refuses, so someone has to step up. Right now, at home, the only one who fits besides me is Edric. As for Corvin, his personality just doesn't fit. Then he glanced at Edric. Edric's personality doesn't really fit either, and his level is low. His brain is a bit sharper than Corvin's, but still not enough. He can't handle the rest of the family. The one who really fits is me. I don't want to be the primary mate either, since I'm not exactly that generous. But if Emy wants me to do it, I won't say no. "Emma, Silas is right. We're with you." Edric looked at her, his fists clenched tight with nerves. I can already guess what Emma wants to say. I don't actually want to be the primary mate because I know I'm not cut out for it. Being low-level is part of it, but the bigger reason is that I just don't have that kind of generosity. When Lucien suddenly became the first mate, I even let out a quiet sigh of relief. But now, with everything blown up like this, if Emma wants me to be the first mate, there's no way I can say no. Otherwise, she's only going to get angrier. Emma looked at their expressions and immediately guessed what they were thinking.