Lily's eyes widened. "Oh my God! I was actually unconscious for the whole two weeks," she exclaimed inwardly. "I am fine now? Where are the others? What about Art? He's not dead, right?" she inquired immediately.
Liam shook his head. "He's not dead; they all went out to get something for you to eat," he responded.
Lily breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear," she remarked.
"Beauty, are you feeling fine now? You suddenly lost consciousness then—do you have an old sickness?"
"Err, I'm fine; no old sickness," Lily smiled reassuringly.
"Angel, you are awake!" Art's voice echoed, and he immediately ran forward. Without waiting another second, he dropped to his knees. "I'm sorry; I lost the star."
Lily studied his body intently and, after confirming that he was alright she breathed another sigh of relief.
"Forget it; it's not your fault anyway," she reassured him.
"Then... has angel forgiven me?" Art queried.
"You've never offended me before," Lily replied.
Art remained silent.
Lily looked at him and sighed. "There's no need to ask for forgiveness; it was your mother who offended me. No need to seek for forgiveness," she said.
"Then... will you allow me to be your mate? I swear I will bring her to you to apologize!"
Lily was stunned. "Bring her to me to apologize? Isn't she your mother?" she asked.
Art was silent for a while. "I don't need a mother," he stated.
Lily's mouth dropped open. "What on earth is going on?" she thought.
"He hates the unfair nature rules that only affects males. That female queen who was his mother has a total of forty-three males; she keeps using them the way she likes and keeps bearing children. If not for the fact that he is the strongest among her children, she wouldn't care about him at all and would just ignore him, just as she ignores the others," the voice of the little creature sounded right next to Lily's ear.
Lily nodded. "Is there a need to mend their relationship?" she pondered.
"Well... even if you try, it will all just be in vain. Since the day she sealed away your memories and harmed you for him, he has cut ties with her and rendered himself an orphan. It's also possible that you might change his mind, but baby girl, it will take more time. I advise you to let things be," the little creature replied.
"Oh," Lily commented. "Look, I'm not accepting you because of the star you risked your life to get, okay? I have my own reasons for accepting you. Let this be the first and last time you attempt to fetch a star for me, understood?"
Art smiled happily and nodded immediately. "I promise," he affirmed.
"Wait, you little thing, did—"
"Who are you referring to as 'little thing'!" the little creature's angry voice almost made Lily's ears ring. "My name is Star, okay? Address me with respect!"
"Okay, Madam Star."
"That 'Madam' sounds old."
"Fine, Star!"
"That's better; I'm listening to you."
"You mentioned earlier that he hates the unfair rules that affect only males. Is it about the fact that females can have as many males as they want while males can't?"
"Yeah, but also the fact that the males' lives are tied to their females. The females can do whatever they want with them."
"Damn! Then why is he so insistent on me? Isn't that what he hates—being controlled by others?"
"Girl... why don't you ask him this question? I only know more about the past and not the present."
Lily's mouth twitched. "Should I call you useless now?"
"All your father-in-law's generation are useless!" Star retorted angrily.
Lily was dumbfounded.
"I don't have time to deal with you; you should take care of your body well. Good day."
"Seriously?" Lily gritted her teeth angrily. "I will remember this, okay?" she hissed.
"Angel!"
"Beauty!"
"Angel!"
The two voices belonging to Liam and Art called repeatedly, driving Lily back to reality.
"Ah, sorry, sorry," Lily smiled apologetically.
"Angel, you are awake! Just in time; I brought you wild fruits!" Malik's voice echoed, drawing everyone's attention.
Malik put the sack filled with fruits on the ground and opened it for Lily. "Eat," he instructed.
Lily smiled and picked up a fruit. "You all should eat as well," she said. "What about Angus?" she questioned.
"I'm here!" Angus's voice sounded from above.
Lily was stunned and looked up only to find Angus perched on the the stone pillar for support. "What are you doing there?" she inquired.
Angus slowly climbed down. "Trying to get rid of the bad scent on my body," he replied.
"Bad scent?"
"He means blood," Star commented.
Lily's eyes widened. "You killed?" she exclaimed.
Angus glanced at Lily. "I didn't kill; I just taught them a lesson," he defended himself.
"Who?"
"Err..." Before Angus could explain, there was a loud noise outside.
Lily cast Angus a suspicious glare, and he immediately avoided her gaze. She nodded and went outside.
Outside were male beasts from different tribes. As soon as Lily stepped out, they parted ways, revealing a very unsightly female tiger beast.
Her hair was thick and knotted, her skin exceptionally brown and marked with various types of mate marks. Her eyes were brown, but that didn't add any hint of beauty. She sat arrogantly on a male beast's back, fixing her gaze on Lily.
"You are that snake male's mate?" she queried.
Lily raised her brows.
"No wonder why he chose you; you've got beautiful eyes, even though you are rather ugly," she taunted with a mocking smile.
All her companions laughed derisively.
"Yo," Lily grinned. "Angus, could it be that this female here is interested in you?" she asked, looking at Angus.
"Angel, I swear I have nothing to do with her! I only have my heart for you; you're the only one for me!" Angus immediately clarified.
Lily smiled. "I'm afraid you're a step too late," she said, glancing at the female beast. "He's already mine and can't be dragged away," she asserted.
The female beast rolled her eyes. "What's there to be proud of? He's the stupid one here. He's so powerful, yet he chose an ugly beast like you; he's just too blind," she laughed.
"Oh, are you the beautiful one here?" Lily raised her brows.
"What? Are you getting jealous already?"
Lily laughed loudly. "You know, my eyes hurt just by looking at you. I must say, even a grim reaper is more beautiful than you; stop claiming to be beautiful when you're worse than the decaying dead."
"You!" the female stood up immediately, her anger almost making her nostrils flare.