**Chapter 289: Play the Victim Smartly**

Corvin’s eyes widened in disbelief as he processed Silas’s audacious request. “You’re seriously asking him for two more Level 10 beast cores?” His voice was tinged with incredulity. “What if he just ghosts you the moment he sees your demands? You know how these things go.”

Silas, however, merely chuckled, exuding an air of confidence that was hard to shake. “Oh, come on! This guy just tossed out two Level 10 beast cores like they were nothing more than pocket change, all in a desperate bid to learn how to win over his huntress. That leaves us with a couple of intriguing possibilities. One: this therian is incredibly powerful. A being of such strength surely has more than just a couple of Level 10 beast cores stashed away.”

He leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Two: if he’s publicly asking for advice on how to woo a huntress, then his emotional intelligence is practically non-existent. He’s completely lost when it comes to romance.”

“And three,” Silas continued, his tone growing more animated, “the sheer size of the reward he’s offering indicates he’s desperate to win her over.”

Corvin’s brows knitted together in confusion, his gaze fixed on Silas as if trying to decipher a complex riddle. “So? What does that mean for us? Why does it matter that he’s desperate?”

Silas let out an exasperated sigh, his patience wearing thin. “Just think about it, Corvin! Picture yourself as a powerhouse, sitting on a mountain of Level 10 beast cores. You’re aching for Emy’s affection, but she barely acknowledges your existence. Now, if I told you I had a foolproof method to secure her favor, but it would cost you four Level 10 beast cores, would you hand them over without a second thought?”

Corvin’s response was immediate and fervent. “Absolutely! Without a doubt!”

In his mind, he recognized the truth: strength alone wouldn’t win a huntress’s heart. No amount of beast-slaying could guarantee that kind of love.

The realization dawned on Corvin like a light bulb flickering to life. His eyes widened, and he stared at Silas in awe. “Silas, you’re a genius! I can’t believe I didn’t see it before!”

A self-satisfied smirk crept across Silas’s lips. “Honestly, I was being more than generous by only asking for four cores.”

In another part of the vast warship, Drake was deeply engrossed in the replies he had received from his lightcore post. He sat in his bedchamber, reading aloud the most promising suggestions to Remy, who was perched comfortably beside him.

“Beastie-Not-Cuddly says that winning over a huntress is a piece of cake. All you need to do is whip up some delicious food, and she’ll be all over you,” Drake recounted, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

Remy quickly interjected, shaking his head with conviction. “Daddy, Mommy already has a Merfolk who’s an excellent cook!”

Drake couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought. He had a nagging feeling that his own culinary skills were far from impressive. The idea of him cooking was laughable at best.

Just then, a new private message pinged in his inbox, pulling him from his thoughts. Ever since he had posted his thread, the flood of advice had been overwhelming, but most suggestions seemed like fleeting tricks rather than lasting solutions. He was in search of something that would win Emma’s heart for good.

Curiosity piqued, he opened the new message. It was from a therian who went by the username “Embrace of the Moon.”

To his surprise, this therian had not offered any specific tips. Instead, he made a vague promise and requested four Level 10 beast cores in exchange.

Drake’s initial instinct was to dismiss the message, but the word “Embrace” struck a chord, reminding him of Emma. Before he could second-guess himself, he found his fingers dancing across the keyboard, crafting a response.

Drake: I can agree to your terms, but only if you can actually help me.

The moment he hit send, Silas received the reply almost instantaneously.

Embrace of the Moon: First, I need you to describe your current relationship with your huntress. Understanding the situation is essential before I can offer any advice.

Drake paused, contemplating his words. He took a deep breath before typing: I don’t think my huntress has any feelings for me. She laughs and enjoys herself with other males, but when it comes to me, her laughter feels forced, almost like a chore.

He continued to pour out every detail he could recall about Emma’s cold demeanor toward him, his heart heavy with the weight of unreciprocated affection.

Meanwhile, Corvin stood beside Silas on the warship, reading the anonymous messages with a sympathetic expression.

“From what he’s saying, it sounds like he has no chance of winning his huntress’s heart. He’s outmatched by her other suitors. Even with a cub together, she still won’t give him the time of day.”

Corvin’s brow furrowed with concern. “Silas, for the sake of the cub, you have to help him. A therian without his huntress’s love—and a cub without its mother’s affection—that’s just heartbreaking.”

He glanced at the stranger’s sorrowful tale, and a wave of gratitude washed over him. “Thank goodness I found Emma. She would never abandon me just because I’m a hopeless romantic.”

Silas threw him a sidelong glance, acknowledging the truth in Corvin’s words.

Quickly, Silas tapped out a reply to Drake.

Embrace of the Moon: Based on everything you’ve shared, the fact that your huntress still offers you some form of mental comfort suggests she hasn’t completely given up on you. It’s likely that it’s your current approach that she finds unappealing.

Drake: So what should my cub and I do?

Embrace of the Moon: If your current tactics aren’t yielding results, then it’s time for a change. Are you familiar with playing the pity card?

Drake stared at the screen, pondering the suggestion for a moment before typing back: Yeah!

But then doubt crept in. Would Emma genuinely care for him if he played the victim?

Embrace of the Moon: Then take your cub and go play the pity card in front of your huntress. But remember—you must play the victim smartly. Make her want to comfort you first.

Play the victim smartly?

Drake mulled over the idea, feeling a rush of determination. Without wasting another moment, he bolted out of his bedchamber with Remy trailing behind him.

“Daddy, where are we going?” Remy asked, his voice laced with sleepiness as he yawned, still nestled atop Drake’s head. The chill of the Thalassian Palace night prompted him to burrow deeper into his father’s hair for warmth.

As Drake rushed through the corridors of the warship, a newfound sense of purpose ignited within him. The weight of his unreciprocated feelings began to lift, replaced by the hope that perhaps vulnerability could pave the way to Emma’s heart. He realized that love was not merely about strength or grand gestures; it was about connection, understanding, and sometimes, showing one’s fragility to invite compassion. With Remy nestled against him, he felt the stakes rise not just for himself but for their little family. The thought of his cub growing up without the warmth of a mother’s love fueled his determination to act, to open the door to a life he had been too afraid to embrace—one filled with honesty and emotional depth.

Meanwhile, Silas and Corvin exchanged glances, recognizing the shift in their friend’s demeanor. There was an unspoken understanding that the path ahead would not be easy, but it was one worth taking. Corvin’s earlier gratitude for love transformed into a powerful reminder of its complexities and the effort required to nurture it. As they prepared to support Drake in his quest, Silas felt a surge of excitement; they were embarking on a journey that transcended mere tactics and strategies. It was about forging genuine relationships, learning to navigate the intricate dance of emotions, and ultimately, discovering the courage to be vulnerable in a world that often celebrated strength. Together, they would help Drake not just to win Emma’s heart, but to create a bond that could withstand the trials of life—a bond built on authenticity and mutual respect.

In the next chapter, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions as Drake embarks on his quest to win over Emma, armed with the controversial advice of “playing the victim smartly.” The stakes are higher than ever as he grapples with the moral implications of manipulating emotions, all while navigating the complexities of fatherhood with Remy by his side. Will he truly be able to pull off this tactic without losing his integrity—or worse, his chance at genuine affection? As he steps into the unknown, the tension mounts, leaving readers eager to see how far he is willing to go to secure his huntress’s heart.

Meanwhile, Silas and Corvin are poised to dive deeper into the intricacies of their own plans. With Silas’s cunning mind at work, they’ll explore the potential of the therian’s desperation and the power dynamics at play. Will they strike a deal that could change the course of their lives, or will their ambitions lead them down a path fraught with unexpected consequences? As the chapter unfolds, the intertwining fates of these characters will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the twists and turns that lie ahead. The emotional stakes are set to rise, and the question looms large: can love truly conquer all, or will the game of hearts leave them all shattered?