Chapter 13: We would never hurt Veyra

"Are you bullying Arinya?""What did I just hear? You’re forcing her to eat mud?"

"No, no, that didn’t happen. We didn’t do anything." The chubby girl yelled in defense.

But who did she think they would believe?

The famous stone-hearted Arinya, who was on her knees with mud all over her and crying, or the girl said Arinya was clinging to while begging?

"We didn’t do anything." One other female protested and decided to push me off the chubby female before more misunderstandings arose. "Get away. What are you plotting?"

But I used this as an opportunity and sent myself flying, my entire body crashing into the floor.

The female was even more confused and looked at her hand. She didn’t even push me that hard, so how did I end up flying?

This alerted the males, since such violence was happening before their eyes.

"Arinya, are you okay?" They came to my aid after putting down their game and then glared at the other females in disbelief.

"How can you gang up on your fellow female and even force her to hunt for you?"

"W-what? We never—"

"We heard everything." Another male cut in.

The males didn’t even let the accused females speak. They formed a protective wall around me, as though I were a wounded cub.

While they helped me up, I made sure to seem as weak as possible.

"Thank— ouch." I looked at my legs and made them tremble a bit. Then, I limped.

"Careful, she’s limping," one murmured to the male holding my hand.

"It’s fine," I said, barely smiling. "I have a strong body so it’ll be healed soon."

This show of softness had a way of melting and capturing the hearts of males. After all, what they want more than anything is for a female to depend on them, and for them to see themselves as very superior.

Right now, the famed rough and uncourt Arinya was leaning on them for support, what more do I need to capture their fleeting hearts?

Then, they began glaring daggers at the girls.

I heard the sharp inhale the females made while looking at me in disbelief.

The look on their faces was priceless.

Limping? When did that start?

Ah yes, it started just about now. Feel the burn, morons.

"Is it bad? We should get you to the healing hut." One of the males said but I shook my head.

Though, I bent my knee slightly, wincing for show.

"I-It’s fine," I whispered, voice cracking beautifully, if I do say so myself. "I’m used to this. They’ve always treated me like this, so... it’s nothing new."

The males froze but the females froze even harder.

My words—so small, so pitiful—hit like a spear to the heart. One of the males clenched his fists.

"Is that true?" he demanded, voice booming like a bomb ready to explode.

To think there would come a day when Arinya would be cared for so much by males. All that was needed was just a little acting and a pinch of mud.

"No!" Ms. Chubby protested instantly. "We didn’t—she’s making—"

"That’s enough," one male said quietly, interrupting the chubby female before she could protest further. "After what happened to Veyra... we can’t ignore this."

"She really is lying."

But the males weren’t looking at them anymore.

The males began to look at them suspiciously.

They were females who were doing such bad things to another female, and one who hadn’t done anything to them. How could they be so cruel?

"It wouldn’t be surprising if one of you was responsible for what happened to Veyra." One of the males suddenly said, which choked the females.

They literally choked with the air, at the sound of that.

I, too, was surprised.

To think they would suddenly come up with such a conclusion.

They would blame just about anybody for the female they worship. I bet they would never have guessed that the one who poisoned Veyra was Veyra herself.

Well, I don’t plan to get involved... Yet.

The females immediately went into defense.

"We would never hurt Veyra!" Skinny Legs cried.

"She was kind to everyone, even us."

"Unlike her sister, we do everything for her." someone muttered under their breath.

One male snapped his head toward them.

"The chief has already proclaimed that Arinya is innocent. Are you trying to say the chief made a wrong decision?"

They flinched, scared and inclined, but that did not stop them from speaking more if it meant painting me black.

"That—that’s not what we said!" The chubby girl sputtered, stuttering as the words dragged in her constantly salivating mouth. "We—we’re saying she’s cunning! Everyone knows she is!"

All eyes turned to me.

I made sure my lashes were wet, made sure my lips were trembling, and even made that small coo sound. Perfect.

What part of me liked cunning now?

"I... I don’t even visit the healing hut unless I’m dragged there to apologize for a crime I didn’t commit," I whispered weakly. "Why... why would I hurt Veyra now, especially when all eyes are on me...? You’re being too mean right now."

The males’ expressions twisted into pure disgust, strictly directed at the females.

That gaze used to be directed at me, Arinya, not too long ago. To think such a drastic change would occur just from acting a little bit weak.

It’s no wonder Veyra keeps up her pretense so much.

She must love this sort of attention to the point that she can’t do without acting anymore. If she were to let her real personality show, everyone would definitely hate her.

"I’m reporting this to the chief," one of them growled.

The females began to shout over each other about how I was faking and how they were innocent, desperate, and panicked, but the males ignored every word.

A male crouched beside me, lifting me gently.

"Easy, Arinya. You’ve suffered enough."

Such sweet words. Mmm. Music to my ears.

He carried me, one arm under my back, the other under my calves, paying attention to my tail, so as not to touch a sensitive spot.

Another group followed protectively, dragging their game behind them while two males sprinted ahead to inform the chief.

I allowed my head to rest against a broad shoulder, not too broad but it wasn’t that bad, making myself look small, fragile, and utterly pitiful.

But as we passed the females—huddled, helpless, staring like prey cornered by predators while trembling nonstop.

I almost feel sorry for them. Well, almost.

They brought this upon themselves.

Arinya, who they never thought would be able to fight back without getting the short end of the stick, had finally stood up to their charade and flipped the cards.

They can go and report this to Veyra, because I’m sure she was the one who put them up to this in the first place.

Whatever the case may be and will be, I know... I’ll still win.

I lifted my head just enough that only they could see the expression I hid from the males.

A slow, sharp, victorious grin curled on my lips.

Checkmate. Come play with me next time when you’re sure you’ve gotten at least one A-plus in acting class. I’ll always welcome a challenge.