The Ultimate Beast World Glow-Up novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Prove Herself in This World

Rosalie held a big potato in each hand when Leon spoke coolly.
“Matriarch, please wait outside. Let me handle the cooking.”
Naturally, Leon didn’t believe Rosalie could cook. In the beast world, a female didn’t need to enter the kitchen at all. And with her previously lazy, domineering temper, she was extremely picky with food. If anything tasted bad, she would throw the entire meal out.
So they often went hungry. Because if Rosalie refused to eat, none of the beastmen were allowed to eat either.
Rosalie squatted on the ground, holding a bone knife and smoothly peeling the potatoes. The beast world lacked modern tools, so they had to make do with what was available.
“No need. Go pack up your things. We’ll leave as soon as we finish eating.”
Seeing Leon still not moving, Rosalie repeated, “Just go. I’ll let you guys know when lunch is ready.”Leon took one look at the pile of potato peels on the ground, then left the kitchen—only to find Cameron crouching in a corner, secretly peeking in.
Cameron coughed lightly, his expression awkward. “Why’d you leave her inside alone?”
“She said she wants to cook.”
Cameron’s face went pale. He didn’t even dare imagine what sort of food a complete beginner would produce.
Rosalie shredded the potatoes and soaked them to wash out excess starch. Then she placed a piece of meat in the pot to render pork fat, scooping out the crispy bits for later use.
Outside, the three men had long smelled the fragrance drifting from the kitchen. Cameron had already circled the doorway several times like an impatient child.
Rosalie had noticed him long ago and beckoned him over.
Cameron hesitated but still walked in. Rosalie picked up a piece of crispy pork crackling and held it to his lips.
He froze, then opened his mouth. The crunch burst with rich flavor on his tongue, intoxicatingly delicious.
Unable to resist, Cameron grabbed one piece after another, eating happily. Seeing the bowl rapidly emptying, Rosalie hurriedly stopped him and shooed the greedy fox out.
The little fox clung to the doorframe, reluctant to leave.
Leon watched Cameron’s worthless behavior with a headache. Just this morning, he had despised Rosalie to the bone, yet now, he had changed sides instantly after a few bites of food.
At last, the food was ready. With limited ingredients, Rosalie simply stir-fried shredded potatoes and sprinkled salt over the pork cracklings, counting them as two dishes.
The only staple they had was coarse corn kernels, which Rosalie cooked into a large pot of corn oatmeal. Paired with the crispy potatoes and savory pork cracklings, it was unexpectedly delicious.
Since Micah’s health was poor, Rosalie served him a separate portion and brought it to his bedside. Looking at this frail male, she felt an inexplicable surge of pity.
And more importantly, Micah’s frailty was largely caused by her, so Rosalie felt genuinely guilty.
As for the others, Rosalie knew they held no affection for her.
Nor did she for them. But she was new to this world, and she was already expelled from the tribe, and the beast world was full of dangers, especially with wild beasts roaming the forests. For now, she still needed them. When the time was right, she would set them free.
After thinking for a moment, Rosalie called out, “Lunch’s ready!”
Cameron practically rushed over, and Leon also sat properly at the table. But the newly added Declan looked humiliated, giving Rosalie no respect as Matriarch. He glanced at the food as though it were poison, then turned and slammed his door.
Rosalie ignored him and invited the others to eat.
Leon served a bowl for Rosalie. Only after she ate some did he start eating.
For the rest of the dishes, Leon only ate after Rosalie tasted them first.
Rosalie knew Leon didn’t trust her, and he was afraid she might poison them.
But she didn’t mind. She had no feelings for Leon; why would she care how he judged her?
The dishes were finished down to the last bite. No one expected simple potatoes to taste so good—even Leon ate two extra bowls.
When Rosalie set her bowl down, Leon stood to wash the dishes.
She didn’t stop him because to her, whoever cooked doesn’t wash dishes and that it was only fair that way.
At that moment, the front door was kicked open. A male beastman walked in, dressed in animal hide with a smear of blood across his fair cheek. He dragged a massive wild boar behind him.
Even with blood on his face, his stunning beauty could not be concealed. His sharp eyes carried an innate nobility, and even just standing there, his presence felt otherworldly like a distant celestial being.
Cameron, full and satisfied, raised a brow and smiled. “Elijah, you’re late. Matriarch cooked earlier, and we just finished.”
Rosalie finally remembered—this was Elijah Ward, the original Rosalie’s peacock beastman.
Because the peacock’s feathers shimmered with radiant colors, the former Rosalie had used shameless means to forcibly marry him, wanting to keep him by her side. And because summers were too hot, she had even plucked his feathers to make a fan.
The thought made Rosalie feel deeply guilty.
Elijah cast her a cold, sidelong look. “Forgot your pain already? Aren’t you afraid the food might be tampered with?
“Or is last year’s fox-fur collar not enough for you?”
Cameron’s face instantly turned white. He wished he could vomit up everything he had just eaten.
His tail throbbed with phantom pain. His gaze toward Rosalie carried faint resentment.
Yes. Rosalie had only used him. How could she have truly changed? He was simply too easily swayed.
The warmth from moments ago instantly froze over. Rosalie looked around the room and said calmly, “I know you all hate me. But I’ve been expelled from the tribe too. I have been punished.”
Hearing this, Elijah merely sneered. Unsurprised. With behavior like hers, such consequences were only expected.
“The things I did before were wrong. I will free you all, so you don’t have to remain bound to me.”
Cameron blinked in shock. He hadn’t expected Rosalie to say such words. For some reason, his heart suddenly tightened.
Leon looked at her deeply. Elijah, however, spoke with icy mockery, “Matriarch, what clever planning. Even agreeing to sign our freedom papers—at a hundred silver coins each. And with four beast-husbands… no, wait, I hear there are five of us now.
“So do you have five hundred silver coins?”
It was Rosalie’s first time hearing this rule. Thinking about the few copper coins she had left, she sighed inwardly.
But her expression remained sincere as she gave each of them a solemn promise, “My word counts. I will earn the money. I will free you.
“I was wrong for what happened before, and I won’t make things difficult for you anymore.”
The room fell silent. Even Declan, standing not far away, stared at her with cold eyes—it was unclear whether he believed her.
Leon resumed cleaning the dishes. Cameron remained pale, his eyes still filled with doubt and grievance.
Rosalie stood there, a little helpless. She knew the original Rosalie had hurt them too deeply.
She would compensate them. But as for love, that wasn’t something she intended to pursue.
Since fate had given Rosalie a second life in this world, she would build something of her own. She wouldn’t waste this chance.
As for love, she would leave that to fate. If she ever met someone truly devoted to her, maybe she would consider it. But these beastmen, full of resentment toward her, she felt guilt, even gratitude, but not love.