"Why are you....."

"Red?" Bibi asked, staring at her red feet, and Liora moved closer, gently poking her arm. "Hey, what did you do? Were you poisoned?" she asked, concerned, but a smile flashed across Bibi’s face.

"I didn’t really do anything or touch anything I shouldn’t have!" she shouted, stretching out her hands. There was a bracelet around her wrist, shimmering. In the middle of it was a piece of a gemstone. My eyes widened—did it....

Bibi pulled it out, and her skin went back to its fair softness. Liora stared in awe. "Where did you get such a bracelet?" Elowen asked, and Bibi smirked. "My aunt is the Empress, I can get whatever I want," she said and licked her lips, making me roll my eyes. She was right though; with her aunt’s influence she could probably get whatever it was she wanted.

"Those stones would please the king of the ocean," she said, and I nodded, lifting the sack I had in my hand and gently picking the gemstones and crystals, placing them inside. Bibi and Liora took the other sacks I brought and helped me put some in too.

By the time we were done, it was already night.

"Let’s hurry back?" I said, and we walked out into the street. Liora was in front of us; she seemed really energized and was chuckling softly. Bibi stared at her and her lips softened.

"You are lucky, she’s cute and such a lovable soul," she said, and I snapped my face to her.

"Didn’t you try to kill her last time?" I asked coldly, and she sighed. She gazed at me, displeasure clearly visible on her face. "I did that to survive too, so I just had to pass the ghoul to whoever was passing by, and Liora just happened to be there. But trust me, I didn’t want to do that to her, I was in a sticky situation," she said, but I sneered.

"Lies we tell ourselves," I cursed out, and she bit her lips, trying not to argue with me, but her anger was visible.

"Hate me if you want, Raven, I don’t care," she said and increased her pace. She softly nudged into Liora, who giggled at her action and they talked subtly. I stared at them and sighed.

"Maybe she really did change?" I thought, but then... I shook my head. She’s still a threat, I said in my head. Plus, I could never forgive her that easily. Never.

The walk didn’t take long, and we arrived at the dorms. Bibi dropped the sack and turned back, walking away. The scene made my tummy churn. I felt like a bad person, but it was still hard for me to forgive her... I sighed, but then froze as Liora stared at her retreating back.

"Stay away from her," I said, and Liora turned to me.

"What?" she asked, but I looked away. "It’s for your safety," I said, but Liora’s eyes turned dark.

"She apologized," she said, and my eyes widened slightly. I turned to her still in confusion. "When? Today? Huh! Is she trying to play the victim by acting all meek?" I snapped, but instead Liora groaned in slight annoyance.

"I’m sure she’s trying to buy your sympathy by apologizing today. People like her give me the icks!" I said, and Liora rolled her eyes.

"She apologized ten days ago when you pushed her into the pond."

Hearing her words, I leaned my head back. "Whattt! Bibi? Apologize? How?" I stared at her.

"You told her not to judge others based on their past actions, yet here you are doing the exact same thing. It’s annoying," she said and folded her arms underneath her boobs.

"I told you people change, but you wouldn’t just believe it?" Liora said and clicked her tongue.

"That’s not i—"

"Raven, you changed.... You said change is the only constant in life. Why can’t you accept her?" she said. My lips struggled to say a word. Nothing came out, and Liora sighed low and disappointed.

"Don’t preach what you don’t practice, Raven," she said and walked off. My hands reached out to grab her, maybe defend myself, but I had nothing to say.

Then Liora stopped. "And also don’t talk with me until you’re back from the trip with your beastman and actually apologize to Bibi!" she yelled, glared at me, and walked away.

Really, that glare looked really cute even though she’s angry at me. Being angry doesn’t suit Liora; she was just too cute and easy going.

I sighed and placed my hands on my temple. "A lot is happening," I mumbled, but then the door pushed open and all my beastmen stood staring at me. They had just heard us talking but didn’t intervene because it seemed heated.

"He—" I voiced out, but my rumbling tummy made a sound and I blushed in embarrassment. My tummy was clearly reminding me it was time to eat.

Either way, the sack was carried in. I sat down and stared at the ravishing meal in front of me.

"This is too much?" I said, but they didn’t seem to hear my words.

"Eat as much as you want, there’s more in the kitchen, if you still want more," Veyra said, and I turned to Thyrian, my gaze begging him to try and convince the others, and he turned to them.

"She shouldn’t be overfed, she could throw up all over the oceanr and pass out," he said, and I nodded, agreeing with him.

"At least eat a turkey leg," Veyra urged, and I turned to Thyrian. He nodded, and I grabbed it, stuffing it in my face. I had asked Thyrian because he knew which meal wouldn’t cause me indigestion.

I paused and wiped my hands clean. Orange just stood by the side watching me. And I stood up, moved towards her, and gently placed her bowl next to her and added cat food in. I had teleported it from the modern world. But she didn’t eat immediately and just gazed at me, as if trying to check something in my eyes.

I reached for her body and she didn’t move away. I gently caressed her fur, but then her eyes widened—her blue eyes looked so cute and she snuggled into my hands, gently licking them.

"So cute," I mumbled softly. I felt like I would pass out from her cuteness.... but then Thyrian stood up and appeared beside me. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"It’s time, Raven!" he said softly. I retracted my hands and stood up. I was about to walk past him when he held my hand and pulled me toward him.

I gasped, but then he opened my hand and placed a pearl in it. I stared in confusion until he finally said:

"Would help with your....."