I Became the Villainess, But My Beast Husbands Can Hear My Mind?!-Chapter 152: A Bargain (1)

"Aelin," he said, his voice lower now but far more intense, "being one of our healers does not give you the right to make decisions that affect the entire tribe."

Even though Elior looked as though he was trying to assert his authority over his sister, Aelin stood firm.

"Brother," she said, holding her ground, "we’ve lived hidden inside this mountain since the day we were born."

Her voice was gentle, yet firm. "I know our parents ordered every member of the Leader’s bloodline to remain at the peak. But... doesn’t that feel unfair?"

"The world is so vast." Aelin let out a heavy sigh. "And as I’ve told you before, I’m not meant to live in this small place for my entire life."

Aelin met his gaze directly, looking as if she were asking for some kindness so her brother would grant her wish. "You once told me I could decide my own future when I turned seventeen. But now I’m already twenty, and you still won’t allow it."

Rather than angry, she actually sounded more hurt and disappointed. "Isn’t that the same as breaking your promise? The very thing you despise the most."

Roxanna watched them from the side, saying nothing, since the matter they were discussing was clearly a family issue.

Truthfully, she could understand Elior’s concerns.

However, as someone who had once felt trapped inside her own home for nearly three years, Roxanna could also understand exactly how Aelin felt.

After all, everyone had the right to choose their own path, even if others thought it was foolish. Whether it was a beastkin or a human, no one would be happy if they were forced to live in a small cage for the rest of their life.

"As I said before, my husbands and I will guarantee the safety of the reindeer beastkin you send to save my husband," Roxanna said calmly. "We will protect Aelin and escort her safely back to the Golden Mountain."

Aelin’s face brightened instantly. "See? Miss Fox will protect me!" she said. Then, more softly, "And if I hide my antlers... no one outside will know I’m a reindeer beastwoman, right?"

Roxanna nodded thoughtfully. "I’m sure we can find something." She tapped her chin lightly. "A cloak, maybe... or a hat..."

While Roxanna considered possible solutions, Elior’s eye twitched.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips because he was being cornered from both sides by his stubborn sister and by Roxanna’s unrelenting resolve.

Before he could regain control of the conversation, Roxanna spoke again. "You said you would help me find a way to heal my husband myself." She held up the book slightly. "But giving me this and telling me to search for answers inside... that only proves you don’t truly know what’s happening to him."

She said firmly, "I believe you can’t diagnose someone you’ve never seen."

Her voice remained respectful, but the disappointment was unmistakable. "Leader Elior... to be honest, I am disappointed in you."

She lowered the book slowly. "I never had the chance to meet my mother. But I know she gave everything she had to your tribe." Pain flickered briefly across her face. "And yet... this is how you repay her? By letting her daughter struggle alone?"

Earlier, Roxanna had tried to sway him with gentle and polite words. But since that approach hadn’t worked, she decided to throw a brick at him, not literally, of course.

And it seemed her attempt had worked. Elior’s face now looked slightly pale. Even the white-haired elder, who had likely lived since Michaela’s time, began to show guilt on his face.

"Leader..." the elder said at last. He cleared his throat and leaned closer to Elior, whispering something meant for his ears alone.

Elior’s gaze flickered toward her from time to time. If not for his calm, almost saint-like expression, she might have believed he was deciding whether she should be thrown off the mountain or not.

After a few moments, they turned back to face Roxanna. Elior was the first to speak. "You’re right, Leader Roxanna."

Roxanna was caught off guard. Previously, Elior had only addressed her by name or ’Miss Fox’. It wasn’t that she minded, but the sudden change made her certain he was about to make an official decision.

"It was impolite of me not to make every possible effort to help Michaela’s descendant, one of the most influential ancestors of our tribe."

He took a breath before looking at Aelin. "My sister, Aelin, is indeed one of our great healers—no, she is probably the greatest healer of the Golden Tribe at present."

Aelin’s face lit up with a wide smile. She looked both proud and hopeful, her eyes shining with excitement at the thought of finally seeing the world beyond the mountain.

Elior, who clearly understood that look, turned back to Roxanna with visible reluctance. "If I allow my sister to accompany you to the Vixeria Tribe," he asked slowly, "can you truly guarantee that you will bring her back safely to the Golden Mountain?"

Roxanna nodded immediately. "My husbands and I will do everything we can—no, we will make absolutely sure that Aelin returns alive and without losing a single organ."

Elior inhaled deeply. This time, Roxanna could see it clearly that he did not want to say what he was about to say.

"Three weeks," Elior declared. "I will only allow Aelin to leave the Golden Mountain for that long. Before that time passes, she must return home."

Three weeks.

It sounded long, yet Roxanna knew it already included the journey there and back. She would have to be careful with the time.

Even so, this was a complete victory.

"Thank you!" Without thinking, Roxanna stepped forward and shook Elior’s hand firmly. "Thank you, truly! Don’t worry, I will protect your sister with all my heart. I won’t let anything harm her, whether it’s people or demon beasts."

Elior slowly shook his head. "Words are not proof, Leader." He paused and looked at her with his ruby eyes. "The only way to prove you won’t break your promise... is to keep it."

"Of course," Roxanna replied without the slightest hesitation. "I would never break my own promise."