Beastly Beauty

Chapter 26 : Forbidden Field

Something felt amiss. Yet Rhea choose to ignore her instinct. Persuading herself it's just her mood swings kicking in because she was bored. Yesterday, her cubs had approached her comfortably. They jumped at her and played with her in the water without hesitation even though they have just begun interacting for the first time when she's fully awake. All these times, Aethon had been the one to care for all their needs at all times. They would only come back to her side at nighttime for milk and snoozing themselves in her arms... They seemed to learn words from Aethon just to talk to her. And Otto had grown attached to the cubs. He would help groom them from time to time. And played with them whenever they have free time together. Rhea was still awkward surrounded by them, it doesn't feel real that they were hers. It all feels like a dream.

"Ma! Pretty Pa! Come!"
Cappuccino growled excitedly.

"What...? Cino! Wait! I don't understand!"
Rhea ran after him.

Her hastiness in exiting the den caused her to have a sudden blindness and she bumped into a lean figure while running blindly after her son. Both of them were knocked down onto the ground. It took her a moment to adjust her sight and she felt a warm breath in front of her face.

"Are you alright...?"
Asked a voice filled with worry.

"Y...yess... Sorry."
She replied awkwardly. It's Iyasu!

Rhea scrambled back onto her feet. She tried not to think how close and improper their positions had been just now. She looked around trying to find her son to distract herself from the unbearable embarrassment. Her son just looked at her innocently. Suddenly, her world spins as she lands in someone's embrace. Iyasu princess carried her! This is not fair! She's very sensitive to a touch right now... as Aethon had teased her a lot last night but they ended up falling asleep...

"W...what are you doing...?!"
Rhea asked in puzzlement.

"Look, your knee was scratched! Let's go clean it up. I'm sorry... I'll be extra careful next time."
Iyasu said softly.

"It's okay. It's just a cut. I can walk. Put me down. I'll clean it up myself."
Rhea answered him.

"But... I want to show you something. I guess... we'll have to go there next time."
Iyasu muttered under his breath.

"What is it? Hmmm... Okay! Let's go. I'm bored anyway. But what about Cino?"
Rhea looked at her son in doubt.

"Don't worry. We can take him along."
Iyasu smiled brightly.

* * * * * * * * * *

The fresh, green grass and various kinds of bright colourful wildflowers swayed gracefully following the gentle wind's rhythm... The surroundings was damp and dreamy... It's a hidden gem in this wild and dry land. Iyasu put Rhea down on a stack of soft grasses. Cino followed silently and just looked at them. Bees and butterflies fluttering and buzzing from flowers to flowers, busy collecting nectars. A yellow butterfly kept circling and would sometimes land on them. The annoyed Cino finally chased after it but didn't go anywhere too far. Rhea just looked at his son a bit and inhaled the nice fresh flowers scent..

"This is beautiful! How come I didn't know about this place...? It's not that far away from our stay."
Rhea said excitedly.

"Hehe... Not many knew about it. It's kinda forbidden for outsiders to be here. But I can make exceptions for you."
Iyasu smiled smugly.

"If it's forbidden. We shouldn't stay here anymore. Let's go. We can find another flower field to play."
Rhea said in panic.

"No, no. Don't worry. It's nothing special. It's just that these flowers are used in sacred ceremonies. Thats all."
Iyasu replied quickly.

"But... That's a holy thing isn't it...?"
Rhea said reluctantly.

Iyasu ignored her question and plucked a delicate white flower and hand it to her. He looked at the flower in her hand with adoration...

"Try to smell it. I think the scent is not too strong and you'll like it well."
Iyasu waits for her comment.

"Yes... It's nice~ I like it!"
Rhea continued to inhale the flower.

"I'm glad you like it. Now, let me clean your knee and we're good to play."

Said Iyasu softly.

* * * * * * * * * *

My brain was fuzzy and Iyasu's warm hands was gentle in cleaning the cuts on my knees. He wiped the dirt off and smeared a crushed green paste on it. He covered the paste with a cotton and wrapped it with a thin see through cloth.

"What is this material...? It's so light and soft but it's not fragile."
Rhea asked with interest.

"It's a cloth specially made by the sea beasts. Do you like it? I can get it for you. What are you going to do with it? It's not suitable for making clothes."
Iyasu replied with a questioned look.

"I don't know. I'm just going to play with it for now. Is it valuable? How much do you have to give to have it?
Rhea answered in doubt.

Iyasu looked at her and smiled lovingly before moving closer towards her. He whispered in her ear.

"It's nothing compared to you. I'll do anything for you, lovely. You deserve it. No female is as kind and pretty as you are. I'll even let you be their queen if that is what you wish for."
He said with a chuckle.

"No! What are you talking about?! Don't joke like that! It's not funny! Never say this in front of anyone else!"
Rhea widen her eyes and look at Iyasu in disbelief. She had no idea what this careless beastman was thinking.

"I understand... Are you okayyy? Your face is so red. Are you sick...?"
Iyasu caresses her cheeks.

Rhea slumped herself onto Iyasu. She leans her weight on Iyasu's chest and weakly circling her arms onto his back, clinging desperately to him...

"Ask Cino to call for Nix or Aethon. I don't feel good... I have to go back."
Rhea muttered.

"I can just carry you back. Let's go. We can come here again next time..."
Iyasu said and hugged her.

"Don't move. Let me stay like this. Ask Cino to go and call them."
Rhea said in heavy breath.

"Cino! Go get your father! Any one is okay. Your mother is sick."
Iyasu yelled at Cappuccino.

The little bear just growled in reply and hurriedly left to find his fathers.

"Why are you so hot...? Why do you agree to go out with me if you're this sick? Why didn't you send your mates to call for me? How long has it been like this...?"
Iyasu bombarded her.

"I don't know. I... I don't feel sick at all. Can we take some flowers home? It smells nice and makes me feel calm..."
Rhea whimpered in return.

"Okayyy... anything for you... Rest. I'm going to go get some water. We need to cool you down. Don't go anywhere. You're safe here."
Said Iyasu, almost pleading.