Nina watched the cubs' astonished expressions and blinked playfully. Lowering her voice, she whispered, "This is our little secret, okay?"
Men could be fooled—but not her babies.
Yinny and Didi nodded happily.
Yes! This was their secret with Mother.
Smiling, Nina gathered them into her arms and fed them their milk.
After breakfast, the rain had conveniently stopped, so they resumed their journey.
***
Halfway along the path, Dahn and his group reappeared. The moment they saw Nina's current appearance, they nearly jumped out of their skins.
"L-little female, y-you… you…" Dahn stammered, staring in horror. "How did you suddenly become so ugly?"
All his previous romantic fantasies were shattered in an instant.
Nina sighed faintly. Climbing down from Sal's back, she deliberately walked closer to Dahn.
"Yes," she said sadly. "I was poisoned. I turned ugly. I might stay like this forever."
Up close, she looked even worse.
