Ari (Child of the Beastman Goddess)

He mumbled in hesitation, trembling as if he was about to cry, “A-Ari… I… *sigh* Never mind… Go ahead. My sister is already waiting for you inside.”

I responded in a low voice, “Hmm… Let’s talk about it when you’re ready, okay?”

He squeezed my hand before letting go. I turned around despite my hesitation and curiosity. I can’t force him to speak up if he wasn’t even ready to open up. I was just happy that he was already cured of his illness. I didn’t know that my power could heal their existing illness.

I only took a quick bath and changed my clothes with Tora’s help. I was still baffled by what Macan was thinking, but he was busy cleaning up and I don’t think he would easily talk about it. He was used to keeping everything in because he was unable to communicate for a long time.

After refreshing up, I realized it was past noon time, so all of them probably had their lunch. I wanted to eat with them, but my stomach was already grumbling from hunger-I won’t be able to wait until dinner time.

Just right after we managed to go back to my room, we heard a knock on the door, “Ari? Are you done preparing? Your soup is ready.”

“Yes, Lowell. Please come in.”

I sat down in front of the table and waited for my food.

“I will go back to my room to continue sewing your dresses. Ask someone to call for me if you ever need me.” Tora said before opening the door.

She gave way to Lowell, Dillon, and Gurion. They were holding hot bowls of mushroom soup and tonics. I suddenly felt an intense hunger when the aroma of the soup filled the room.

He babbled while his tail wagged like a dog, holding a small bowl of tonic clumsily, “Guyon made soup for mommy!”

The bowl he was holding was placed on top of a wooden tray-there were traces of spilling on it. His hands were shaking despite his cute smile so I couldn’t stop smiling at his cute gestures.

Dillon was watching over him, but he didn’t take the tonic away and let the young one do his task despite seeing how awkward he was holding the bowl bigger than his hand. I felt relieved seeing how caring yet firm he was towards Gurion-he looked like a real father figure to the little one.

I suddenly asked myself, “Will he treat the children of his own like how he treats Gurion?”

While I was indulged with my thoughts, I felt Lowell’s jealousy thru the insignia. I suddenly looked at Lowell with a confused reaction.

When my eyes landed on Lowell, he was intensely looking at my neck, which was slightly covered with the shawl. I realized that he saw the marks left by Dillon judging the way he looked at it. His eyebrows were furrowed and his jaws were clenched lightly.

He silently placed the bowl of soup in front of me while Dillon was helping Gurion to place the tonics on the table.

I looked at Lowell while smiling, “Thanks, everyone.”

He blushed and smiled back. I looked at Gurion and whispered, “Thank you, sweetie.”

Gurion’s smile widened when I thanked them, “Caywful mommy, the soups are hot. Do you want Guyon to blow them fow you?”

“It’s ok sweetie… Daddy Lowell will do it for me. You already did a good job helping with cooking and bringing the tonic to me. Thank you so much.”

He instantly threw himself into my arms and hugged me tightly while whispering, “I love you, mommy. I missed you so much!”

I suddenly remembered the scene on the bridge of the trial when the figure similar to Gurion was asking if I will leave him behind too. My tears streamed down and felt the guilt of almost running away from this cute little angel. He will surely feel bad if he learns that I almost left them because of my selfishness.

“I love you and miss you too. Sorry for worrying you.”

Lowell and Dillon panicked upon seeing me weeping. They were confused but they have no idea what I almost did to them just because I was too afraid of the great task that was given to me. I am not even a risk-taker type of person and the task was so overwhelming. However, my conscience couldn’t bear the guilt of leaving them in ruins while saving my sanity.

I still ate my soup even though I was crying silently. It was still hot, so Lowell took the bowl and spoon to stir it a little to cool down the soup before scooping and blowing it to feed me. Dillon and Gurion kept wiping my tears with their hands.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

It felt so warm knowing there were people around me who worry and love me for who I am. It was so overwhelming that I felt like I could even sacrifice my own life just to see them live well.

“Can we all eat together at dinner?” I asked upon finishing the soup and tonic.

“Yes, Jael has been sending his people since earlier to ask if we can join them for dinner. I have no idea if Orson already declined. Would you like us to join them for dinner?” Lowell answered while cleaning up the bowls.

“No! I want to discuss something with the group only. Dillon, can you please go to my brother and ask if he can decline Jael politely?”

I stood up involuntarily with a serious face. I wanted to have a time alone with them and tell them what exactly was going on and who I really was. I also wanted to tell them what happened on the bridge of trial and ask for forgiveness.

I don’t want to lose them so I want to be honest with them and tell them how frightened I was about this situation.

He nodded in response and went out immediately.

Lowell placed his left hand to the little hatchling while holding the dishes on the right and said, “Gurion, take care of your mommy for a moment. I’ll just wash the dishes.”

Gurion nodded eagerly and held my right hand tightly in both of his hands.