Her tail swayed shyly.
"And… he saved me."
The beast mother closed her eyes.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Her claws slowly loosened, the violent mana around her fading like a dying storm.
Inside her mind, countless thoughts clashed—fear, pride, suspicion, and something far more painful.
(My daughter stood at the edge of death… and this human spared her.)
(If he were like the others… she would not be standing here.)
When the beast mother finally opened her eyes again, the rage that once burned within them had cooled into something sharper and heavier—judgment.
"…If you are hurt," the beast mother said quietly, "I will tear this dungeon apart."
The beast girl froze.
Her breath caught.
She turned quickly toward Kael, fear flashing across her face as if she were afraid his answer might ruin everything.
Kael did not hesitate.
He nodded once.
"I understand."
No excuses.
