#28.

“Fufufu.”3b21cbc81ce7e6af

Tabby giggled as she d9c4e37eb1 swam around me. As she moved, 5e1d73e5b9 bubbles formed in ceaca82eb0 the air, creating 12f9d9a06b the illusion of 4d96b9dff8 being underwater.95145fad31924e42

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Just as I thought, someone would come if I waited long enough.”6f789a61f1db6afc

Tabby muttered to c92d706f7c herself and lightly b49e4fa5f9 touched my cheek.c36b4e3193e9b2dd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I didn’t expect such a bold child to come. And this scent… even the wild beasts would find it hard to resist. It’s a very sweet scent.”7d7431e5079a9261

“Zerakiel said I had a sweet scent too.”a19adcdc79ec9bcb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Zerakiel?”f5e75977006bed69

“Yes, the young master of the black lion.”d103424deadfdcce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh dear, of all people, a black lion…”2dd958f2a983983e

Tabby’s voice trailed off. I already knew my life had become extremely complicated, so it didn’t affect me much.457934f4459891fe

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

More importantly, I needed the power of the relic for my future escape plans. I already knew from the original story that Ella’s unique pheromone had even sparked a war.b2758599da545920

“So, I need your power. If I continue like this, I’ll be everyone’s target.”1be996a12a41bcaf

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hiding your power won’t solve anything.”f713f1c230303f43

“At least it will buy me some time.”1265357295449086

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just until 06e1334cf3 I could b2104b97d7 fully understand 03e6418ba6 and master b5f1f41db9 the abilities 91f57f81c0 of my 569d3c1d61 pheromones.c4d0b0048b93690c

In the original story, many families tried to exploit Ella’s power. Without cultivating my strength, I wouldn’t escape Ella’s tragic ending.d0f08e38020d8bd4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But right now, I didn’t even know the exact nature of my power. As a newly transformed beastman, I was like a delicious prey exposed to danger.96862f58420059ef

Tabby, who had bf9afc5706 been observing me, 0cdbd9e604 spoke.9ceb3f29b139d80e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Indeed, the sweeter something is, the more dangerous it tends to be.”c257c620e18f7718

At first, all I 48a3fc3ee7 wanted was to survive 0b890eb015 the harsh and bitter 5c3e950883 winter safely. Faced with 5b351554c3 the immense 90facf17f0 reality, I 114c4a6657 was busy d5a8054ddb just trying ac2e763ef4 to stay 3f315fc508 alive.cc9134b9def02767

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But that was when I couldn’t transform into a human.6bcbf62e3c1b274e

Now, I had to a8372037c5 find a direction to d05c5c304c move forward. If I remained passive, a7b8c0067d I might repeat the 921041f02d same mistakes from my 5a7d448e79 previous life.63b05e7e6ade53ef

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Let’s make a contract.”09aa47ba5da58087

Tabby floated a4f8344762 closer, her 5fa93eed76 expression becoming 0b48eb064c serious.978a355fda70bbfa

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’ll lend you my power, but you must promise to use it wisely and not let it fall into the wrong hands.”db47bf8035b7031d

“I promise. I’ll protect it and myself.”2b70609023f4225c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Tabby nodded, a 978354ec33 small smile playing 43de7548a3 on her lips.bf6eeb52692e411d

“Very well. From this moment on, our contract is sealed. Use my power to carve your path and stay true to your promise.”d781b14ad28570e0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A warm light enveloped me as our contract was formed. I could feel the strength and reassurance of Tabby’s power settling within me.940374d82e3cd029

“Thank you, Tabby.”cf26d9a467f9c955

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Tabby nodded 606b7f32b6 again, then 49d8a1dad8 swam back 5c49838736 into the 889881aa91 mirror, disappearing ccde356b2b as quickly e0ee781901 as she 6442c55b71 had appeared.e5a0c7fd5cf37d09

With newfound resolve, I knew that my journey was only beginning. But now, with the guardian’s power by my side, I felt more prepared to face the challenges ahead.1bc1d645440b88cb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I needed to 6579b93288 find the strength b047f9f53c to protect myself.0243737785eb3677

“I don’t want to live a life where I’m controlled by others anymore.”fd8681883b2871aa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

When I 2a90774215 recalled my 03144b5667 past life, 31cd390cd7 there were c5d0860613 more painful bf468ae4a3 and sad cac8dd4f0c memories than 78fcd56621 happy ones.dc11c66ed9780a79

The things I loved 46da95e4dc always left me in 0f64c23ea4 unwanted ways at my 30104d8b9b happiest moments. The things I d762e2da1b desired seemed to 2dfead6fe4 come close only ab905414f9 to vanish without 20dee8eff9 a trace in b10c070e40 an instant.37991c064c7577ac

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was hard enough 6471114da8 to stand on my d17613a0d5 own, and so many 84ee51332f people tried to shake eb5b2bf7c7 me down.63a3497f2ffbb62e

‘You can do this much for me, right? After all I’ve done for you? You only have me as a friend because you always act like that.’fb2597efb390ae38

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘They say taking in bda61a63c9 a child without parents 727d29d463 is a bad idea. Look at how she f58c1f79fc stares at adults with 4040237a1f those wide eyes! So rude!’9d26d14c639fb673

Both the friend who used my need for affection against me and the relatives who coveted my grandmother’s insurance money only sought to unsettle me.f6eb8e6b62e1a4b6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The worst b3bf70fe3f part was 0995d62d79 my own cb12be947c foolishness for 07e2fba5f9 believing they 4fc9f4b35e were my 3cdc40dda8 friends until 347dc4a187 the very cfe57a2c8f end and 4fc9d0f8db being betrayed.5edb090ca80be0c8

I won’t live like that anymore.bd11765a93a4d709

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’d rather be the one pulling the strings.”dbf663753e701eb5

Anyone who tries to ec17cba2ab exploit me will get 64f49a0495 burned first.51ac2ec88ae5a3f7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Tabby laughed at my 22807db694 fiery declaration.660802f437c3866d

“Indeed. With the power you possess, you might be able to command even the wild beasts.”2bb29da4f5141bd5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What power do I have?”e3ec9889c5144582

“I can’t tell you yet. It would break the rules.”ad35d40448ad5967

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Rules.078ee950e5d89c7f

Guardians could see 36cb83494b the past, present, 6daa2da138 and future all 7a8ead339c at once. By now, Tabby had 478c6415be probably seen my entire 932b635872 past, present, and future, a64fe08fc2 maybe even my memories e79900d5cd from my previous life.26b4e96ebdafb620

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But seeing it didn’t 4f7044307a mean they could say b20017c097 everything. There were rules 66f624244f they couldn’t break.ebaa1d9203f178f9

Until the a9a3c87b98 right time a161dee076 came, I 9cc7ecb3f6 couldn’t get b5fd01c522 future information cd2ea921b3 from the ca3277e8d6 guardian.9d0d74427694cb1b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“So, you think running away is the best plan?”e469cb677d560073

“For now.”93b0c9225d2e616e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“That’s not a good idea, my dear. Running away will only put you in greater danger.”bfddcb5d09ef99ce

I couldn’t ignore the words of a guardian. When I blinked, Tabby continued.638e828d20ca95a9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“For now, staying in the black lion’s den is the safest option. The young master of the black lion seems quite obsessed with you.”b792314f70285b04

Tabby tapped my wrist where Zerakiel’s imprint was etched.42ee124a007b35c2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I rubbed my 9e779e9f35 wrist absentmindedly. Knowing the significance of 7631473583 this mark from Hiscleif, 7c44757699 my thoughts were a 91462366dc jumble.fc0770bbca2bc741

Having been imprinted, escaping 51970ca77b Zerakiel completely would be 8ca6a77b5c difficult.988dfa60b2f0f8b8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I was 93020a920b a bit d9fc8e24b0 scared of a68b0cabf7 ending up bb2bf579ab like Ella 8ded25956c in the a73ccaeb0c original story.b7132dc3c608be23

“And what if he devours me?”4eec12f6f9d64f5c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

In every movie, the fed59a6fc5 person who lets their 661cfdceaf guard down dies first.576e524cb7f9377a

I knew how ruthless the Zerakiel in the original story was. Even if the Zerakiel before me was just a young boy now, I couldn’t let my guard down.9d18d3d6ff472409

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I constantly worried about 892a21a55e what would happen if 624e6fd241 he turned dark one e5ca3e63ea day. Then Tabby 0b23498a5b gave a 7322502b96 straightforward answer.c59fb704a21ee875

“Didn’t you say you’d pull the strings? If you can’t handle a black lion, then maybe you deserve to be devoured. What else can you do?”4585aee0e6b44500

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Such empowering words.e9e9cf9a9c4b1975

I stuck out my tongue at Tabby’s zero empathy answer. But I had to admit, she was right.ac921bfa1d8a54d0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

How can I live differently if I act the same as before? I’m the only one who can protect myself anyway.a2ee408065c4b6b3

This place was a 01c1a39a93 literal jungle. In a world full ae014fb40c of wild beasts, a 6b3aa81d09 weak white ferret like 065ec022b7 me needed to be 0df1465006 resolute.030f2cf522f0c78f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Yes. I was a white ferret beastman who could chew on a black lion’s paw. If he tries to devour me, I’ll bite first. Attack is the best defense, as they say.e0b9785070723f8e

“You’re right. So lend me your strength so I can wield it properly.”a9998d153cc32275

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I extended my hand, b828ff683d and Tabby lightly responded.e69469aecd59b02e

“Of course.”614a064603288a8f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

With that, Tabby’s entire body glowed with a silvery light, marking the beginning of our contract.3ba03991491abb09

* * *c1ab0b49c9694ac3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Shhh—!8fedf350df1a3dfa

From the 3a24e1848b well that f69cc8ad91 had been 4eb325a1bc dry, a 956bfb8a3f torrent of f5badaedf2 spring water 9e9698478d erupted with fa413a5a13 a thunderous 5d796fbe07 noise.7e5c1ef3b50c5278

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Zerakiel stood 18948d3e18 there, staring cff6e45c9e blankly at 0725d02d9c the unbelievable 2277af4c9e scene until bf1aec11c8 he noticed 6f566d33fb a familiar a1c62ccfc0 figure and f03220a538 burst into bac52b2664 laughter.2cb6e749f12cfe51

Chichi, standing on the 397c8c6969 surging well, riding a 4345b559b2 wave.14c5516fe88c1355

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

She was balancing comically ed6a89d96f on a plank, looking b2607f234e like she was surfing. It was hilarious.dc58079bcf70a4b2

‘Anyone would think 66c2735fe3 she was a b7b52122c1 seal in a 329c8ed1d3 past life.’aaa351ae8312ed14

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

She was 491316e023 never boring 7502673e24 to have 0168c45584 around.2d184e31ffae7623

Hiscleif was also stunned by Chichi’s unusual entrance.75feb2bacdda0afd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Zerakiel?”70fee46ab2dbcda1

Chichi called his 4c1ee01566 name as she 5d8da48e7d slowly stepped out 6ed15c8909 of the well. She was drenched and 3a75f8a4a0 looked quite pitiful, but 8bea8f92b2 even that was cute fdfa493d8b in its own way.e2cf7b3c63a9418c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Zerakiel quickly took off 729be6e65f his outer garment and db7f22e535 wrapped it around Chichi. He even pulled b13f408433 the hood over 1e4f1fcfa5 her head, wanting a6c251aa3a to keep those 615e41e10a twitching ears to 5e96dd2f4c himself, making Chichi 2a411c6e53 look away and 13c28969a2 mutter an excuse.2c355df9ca3c2ebc

“Thanks, I lost my hat…”e2bd2984eba2cd6a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Did you want to go swimming this time?”858a36c5f62a376d

“The water tastes good.”145eb47f1595d96a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh, is that it?”a3f0a8a502da185d

Zerakiel couldn’t help but laugh at her unpredictable answers.e0cb22002972a38f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The tense atmosphere that had been building up moments ago was completely diffused by Chichi’s dramatic entrance.5ba8019d2e251e47

“So, is this the end of your escape?”674a0aae6693b777

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Call it an outing.”547f8242525ea162

“Disappearing without a word is called running away.”c4deedcc2833e786

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Zerakiel smiled brightly caa45af555 as he playfully 1967f859d7 scolded her, making 4f2d28eaef Chichi puff out 870ebb16de her cheeks and cb4eee02ca mutter complaints that 56ec733713 he couldn’t quite 1c5981a164 catch.44b1a2edfd3a77e6

Zerakiel tilted his head, d2e9e1331b noticing something was off. The sweet efbdca4d01 scent he 42e4cf9720 used to 0242aeeff0 sense from d46ac089b9 Chichi was 62183323e5 no longer 66aefd7b53 there. It was as if cfb39fa3e3 she had learned to d86554d3df control it herself.cd24806cf3d066e6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It couldn’t have been due to the imprint alone; her pheromones were exceptionally stabilized.0dfe5a954a6cc793

Zerakiel instinctively glanced 364100e18f at the well. He had heard e7f6f16bb7 it dried up ad17f9d778 hundreds of years a2eaf881de ago, so how 380a11bbad had she managed 66b147cf56 to unleash it?25ca86f378998dc5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

All Chichi 4a0e17ce4f did was be7ef1f248 go in 4c0c91f004 and come fe2e65c195 out, yet 395116a6ba the dried-up 93b9ea4bb8 well now 95eec9f63d gushed water 5cc367d933 abundantly, soaking ff01f3c27d the area c3c034efeb around it.4172df9f932a52b9

It seemed like 80fe1f2170 she had undertaken d2dd310bf2 some secret training 15b576f007 inside. Whatever it was, it 658cda7600 was clear Chichi had 79b99023a5 done it on her 715fbb8569 own.8466472eaeed8b08

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It wasn’t just a simple escape, was it?”b163e4ce44315f46