Ari

Chapter 45: Not Your Fault

Dillon and Lowell were still frustrated due to guilt even after the dinner. My brother was also grumpy towards them despite my explanation of the situation.

"Ari... It was due to our shortcomings, even though we were blindfolded, we should have detected his presence even before you started taking a bath in the lake. It was because we were not good enough to protect you properly... Even so... Please forgive us..." Dillon droops with teary eyes, kneeling in front of me.

He took my hand and rubbed his cheeks on my palm while holding it tightly. He was trembling while crying emotionally on my hand.

"I'm sorry, Ari... I should have checked the area thoroughly before letting you bathe there. I'm really sorry... I didn't know there was a small underwater cave in that lake... It was all my fault..." Lowell mumbled while kneeling as well.

He couldn't look at me, but he was trembling more than Dillon was. He looked so terrified as if it was the end of the world.

"Dillon... Lowell... I know you felt guilty and frustrated because of what happened... But it was not your fault... I'm sorry... It was my fault for insisting you both to put on some blindfolds and to stay at a distance that I was comfortable with... It was the reason why you weren't able to respond in time. I was lucky enough today that I was able to escape, but I promise I will no longer demand such things so please don't blame yourselves... It also hurts me seeing you both blame yourselves for the faults that I inflicted myself." I mumbled as I cried while reflecting on my mistakes.

Dillon hugged me tightly while Lowell tried to compose himself looking away as his tears fell uncontrollably without uttering any words. My brother stroked my hair and comforted me as he kissed my forehead and smiled proudly and sweetly.

"Also... Lowell, I want to ask you something in private." I said seriously while giving a hint to Dillon and my brother to give us some space to talk.

Both of them went on the other side while dragging Blake with them as they tried to talk to him; or rather, threatened him to behave himself.

It was funny how he looked so domineering just a few hours ago and now he looked like a kid being bullied by others.

On the other hand, Lowell was just patiently waiting for me to speak up though he seemed to know what I was about to ask.

"I'll go straight to the point. How did you become my guardian? Why didn't you tell me when I asked you what happened last night?" I asked successively.

"Sorry Ari... It was my fault. I couldn't hold it in when the goddess Ayla kept teasing me while possessing your body. It was because I subconsciously responded to her proposal while being confused. Please don't hate me... I really didn't mean it... Please Ari... Please forgive me..." He begged for forgiveness eagerly while trembling. His ears and tails drooped down as he kept sobbing in fear of being abandoned.

"*sigh*... Never mind..." I responded, trying to calm myself down.

I was a little irritated not because of Lowell but because of the situation that we had no control of. I felt a little pity for him for being suddenly tied up to myself. I honestly don't dislike him, but I don't know how to handle males and what more, I already have Dillon. I felt guilty for some reason and felt like I was the one who put him in a tight spot.

I kept sighing a few times while thinking about how to deal with the situation and every time I did, he kept flinching in fear.

"Can we test something?" I asked on a whim.

He stared at me in confusion.

"Kiss me..." I said hastily without second thought while brushing up my bangs.

My brother, Dillon and Blake suddenly looked at us and glared at Lowell as if they were all listening despite the distance.

I suddenly felt nervous and embarrassed upon seeing Lowell flush after hearing my words without minding the glaring towards him.

His tail wagged happily. He moved towards me crawling on all fours like a wolf slowly and silently approaching its prey. I felt my heart pound harder as he tried to approach my lips. I suddenly realized that we had a misunderstanding.

"Wait... Not there... On my forehead." I whispered while headbutting him lightly.

He suddenly felt extremely embarrassed as he suddenly leaned his head on my shoulder while holding both of my arms gripping it tightly as if he was trying to calm himself down.

I was nervous, but I didn't feel disgusted or nauseated from his grasp, but I felt embarrassed because of the misunderstanding. Also, I suddenly remembered his cool spear throw when I was struggling with Blake just a while ago. We were too high yet he managed to throw the spear in that distance.

"S-sorry for not saying it clearly.... I-It's ok now... I got the answer that I needed. And... Thanks for saving me back there..." I mumbled while stuttering due to embarrassment.

"Can I still kiss you...? Please..." He whimpered as he hugged me tightly in his arms.

I nodded subconsciously while listening to the fast rhythm of his heartbeat. He kissed my forehead emotionally as his tears fell down uncontrollably.

The three male beastman's glaring worsened and it was as if they could kill using their eyes so I told them that I will go to bed early so that we can continue our journey as early as the daybreak.

I heard my brother and Dillon called Lowell while I lay down beside the sleeping Gurion. I was not sure why they always had their own meetings after any incident and I had no idea what their agendas were.

The next morning, we set out early despite Gurion still being soundly asleep and Blake was still recuperating from his injuries. I suggested making a cart for Blake, so we can bring him easily despite his injuries, but my brother made a wheeled cage instead and the other two agreed with my brother's decision which made me speechless.

Blake had no choice but to comply since he was still injured and weak. Lowell tried his best to continuously treat him despite the poor condition of the areas we were staying every night.