Ari (Child of the Beastman Goddess)

Father was busy preparing for winter, but he still managed to give some time for me.

Due to the incident, a tribunal trial was scheduled to clarify the issue in front of all the tribesmen.

My father had no choice, but to follow the rules of the tribe, though he was hesitant to let me face the crowd due to my special condition since there will be a huge number of males who shall attend to witness the trial.

A few days before the trial, the elder healer allowed Dillon to talk to me with the permission of my father.

We had a conversation in my room while the elder healer observed us from the door.

He sat on the chair beside my bed as I sat on the bedside facing one another. He held my hand and kissed it sweetly, then placed it on his cheeks to feel its warmth.

I was nervous as he did so, making me tremble for some reason, but I was no longer sure if it was due to fright. My cheeks warmed up as if I was having a fever, but it feels different for some reason. My heart was beating uncontrollably fast as if I was having another anxiety attack.

A few days ago, the elder healer wanted to confirm the progress of my condition so she had to ask Dillon and another male beastman to help with the test with the permission of my father.

I was able to have physical contact with Dillon though my heart was still panicking for some reason, but when the other male tried to touch me lightly, I suddenly threw up and then fainted instantly.

I felt sad because I thought I already got through my condition, but Dillon’s touch was surprisingly bearable.

“Are you uncomfortable with this?” Dillon asked sweetly trying to understand my feelings.

“No, it’s fine.” I answered while shaking my head lightly.

His face lit up as he smiled brightly, then he kissed my palm and closed his eyes as if indulging himself in the scent of my hand.

“Ahem! Dillon…” The elder healer interrupted him as if reminding him to behave.

“Oh! Sorry… You were so fragrant that I feel like I’m losing my mind” He whispered as he put my hand on his lap without letting go.

“Hey! Cut it out!” I rebuked as I tried to take back my hand.

He didn’t let go and held it tightly.

“Please don’t let go. I don’t want to miss this chance as it might be the last.” He pleaded with a frightened look on his face.

We didn’t actually talk during that time, but just held each other’s hand until it was time for him to say goodbye.

The day of the trial arrived. Only the head of each household was invited as instructed by my father to limit the witnesses due to my condition. I also had to drink some calming medications before and during the trial and had to keep the elder healer right beside me.

Everyone was already inside the tribunal hall when we arrived. I was shocked when I saw Dillon tied up kneeling in front of my father. There was quite a commotion as the tribesmen kept whispering at one another upon seeing my face.

I decided to not wear my mask to respect the rule of the tribe. Most of the tribesmen were surprised upon seeing me.

“Is that really Ari or a female from another tribe?” A tribesman asked.

“I’m not sure.” Another one answered, though confused.

“Heh! So that is why the alpha was so protective of her. Dillon was right when he described her during the opening of the courtship ritual.” Another one commented.

My father roared furiously upon hearing the small talks of the crowd, causing them to quiet down in fear.

I was trembling because of suffocation due to the mixed scent inside the hall, but I was still holding on thanks to the calming medication that the elder healer gave me.

The trial started as soon as I was already settled in my dedicated seat not too far from Dillon, but I couldn’t see his face since my seat was located a few steps behind his back.

Dillon and I clarified the incident and stated that it was a life and death situation in front of the tribe.

Everyone was talking among themselves as we finished clarifying the issue. Unfortunately the tribesmen were not yet convinced.

“Even so, why was Dillon in the same forest at that time? We understand that Ari was permitted by the alpha at that time, but why was Dillon outside the tribe?” An elder asked as if pinning out the main reason for the issue.

Dillon was shocked. Frightened to answer in front of the alpha.

My father was furious at Dillon understanding what the elder meant by his words.

“Why don’t you answer Dillon?” My father asked angrily.

“I… I… I followed her to the forest when I saw her fly out of the tribe.” Dillon answered in fright while trembling.

My father snapped due to what he heard. Furiously raising his hand to punch Dillon.

I hurriedly flew towards my father and hugged him to refrain him from hitting Dillon.

“F-father! It was me! I told him to meet me there!” I involuntarily shouted the lie just to calm him down.

There was a long silence as the alpha tried to calm himself in my embrace.

“You don’t have to cover up his crime” He whispered as he hugged me back.

“Please forgive Dillon father, I need him to help me with my condition.” I whispered back begging him to forgive Dillon.

He sighed a few times as he tried to calm himself before letting me go.

Dillon was shocked, but he was happy to see me defend him though I lied just to save him.

Everyone was shocked and baffled.

The elders didn’t accept my claim. They said it was an obvious lie, but they asked me if I am willing to take in Dillon as my guardian. I agreed despite seeing my father’s disappointed face due to my choice.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

The elders exempted me from the punishment due to the fact that I only did the right thing to do in a life and death situation so I was still allowed to go outside my room.