The Beauty's Hidden Beast

YaYa's POV
My boys faked Bart's death after his duel with Shuu. He would have died if they hadn't fed him an emerald and treated his injuries.
My pup was obviously salty about what happened, so I sprinkled sugar on him to even out the taste, "Bart is my male. Where else should he be if not by my side?"
"...Bart is your what?" Shuu was taken aback, mumbling in disbelief, "So what Bluepool said about you turning him into a rootless..."
"It's not true," Bart cut in, "Don't believe what Bluepool said. Indeed, I'm still alive, but the rest are all lies."
Bluepool probably spilled all the beans to Nivi ─ my experiments with Bart and Rosa, Vick's real beast form, Gold's sacrifice, mermen building the canal for me, Mandy's existence, Rosa staying with the Peacocks, anything else?
My contribution to the canal building was minimal. Everything was passed through Gold. I didn't do anything directly, so the "truth" Bluepool told them should have been warped beyond recognition.
Nivi tried to calm down Shuu, who began to panic, "It's alright, Shuu. Nothing will happen to me. Wilbert's visions don't have to be accurate. You two should stop fighting and work together."
"But..."
"No buts," Nivi ordered. Shuu obediently closed his mouth in response. "Yaya, Let me explain a bit about this. I tried to contact you many times, but you were always absent. That's why I asked your males to contact me as soon as you return. We need to talk about this serious issue face to face." She turned toward Bart, "Shuu just tried to protect me from Wilbert's visions, which always came true. Please don't hold it against him."
"His visions might come true, but the people he blames are never the culprits!" Bart said in defense.
"You killed everyone!" Shuu retorted.
"Were your deaths in the vision fast?" I asked.
"What kind of question is that?!" Winston snapped, clenching his fists tightly as Nivi worked on calming him down too.
"It must have been me who ordered Bart to do that," I continued, causing Bart to shake his head vehemently.
"Don't say it like that. If you take the blame for my actions, then I'll take responsibility for yours," Bart insisted, "I could refuse to help you when you asked. I could have not done so many things, but I didn't. We both had our choice. That's the truth. I am the real murderer in The Ape King's vision."
Shuu's face went pale, "Why?"
"To see if the Beast God will save any of you," I answered.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Before I paid my father a visit, I left behind a few instructions─ on my signal, fake everyone's deaths.
Just like how some people liked to watch TV shows or books where others were put through hardship and challenges, others got off from watching others being tortured and killed. The more wealth and power one had, the more they could afford to indulge themselves, like my father would.
What do you do when someone moves their entertainment field from others to you?
It could start small. Then, the scale would progress. It would become more violent, more brutal, and more personal. The first thing they would do would be to break the target's sense of security. They would find out their schedules, their friends, and the things that were important to them. From there, they would try to isolate them, find their weaknesses, and use that against them.
How can you prevent yourself from falling into their traps?
Become crazier than the craziest.
Be unpredictable.
Be fearless.
Make yourself the last person they would want to cross.
Because once you become the target, it's either them or you.
I pressed my fingers against my temples, taking in the silence of my surroundings.
The strings Karrak pulled were something else. I couldn't fathom his level of power, or how much it cost him to prevent father from coming after me.
At some point, father's threats became just that. Threats. He would usually do his part first, then reason later. I thought he was changing his approach to dealing with me.
But he wasn't.
It was Karrak.
He told me and the boys to keep an eye on Vick and not allow him to get close to other females; otherwise, it would not end well.
I thought Karrak was some type of flying chick. Was I wrong? Was he actually a monkey with visions of the future like the Ape King?
My thoughts continued to stray further from the issue at hand, so I returned to the present.
Nivi looked up at me. Her voice was colder and more commanding than ever, "It doesn't matter what your reason is. Don't bring war and death to my people. I won't allow it. You're crossing the line, Yaya. We can't stand for this anymore. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"I'm serious."
"Me too."
"You are not taking this seriously," Nivi frowned. "Do you think you can get away with everything just because you're smart, beautiful, and have the backing of powerful males? That's not the case, Yaya. There is always a price to pay."
"I know," I replied, "I've been paying a lot for all the things I've done."
She seemed frustrated by my response, "You are not understanding me. If this continues, your males will suffer too, but you don't care about anyone, right? Is that the kind of person you are, Yaya? Is it really alright to throw away everything and everyone you have, for the sake of your own selfishness? I'm telling you that you have gone too far. I don't know what else I can do. All I can do is ask you to stop hurting yourself and the people around you. Just because there aren't any prisons doesn't mean that there aren't any laws. Stop playing god and acting like a demon. Everyone have limits. If you push too far, you'll be pushed back. I don't want to see you or your males suffer. This is a warning, Yaya. A warning from your friend. I'm not here to punish you. What you need is redemption."
I remained silent, letting her words sink in, "I wasn't playing god. I was being an idiot. There's a difference. Gods are supposed to be omnipotent and almighty, right? Well, I can't do any of that."
"Then, what are you going to do now?"
"What I've been doing, I guess. Figure things out."
"Does it include killing innocent lives and abusing your males?"
"So thoughtful of you to worry about my boys. Keep it up, and they might actually let themselves be rescued." I laughed, crossing my leg over the other.
"I would never make a move on a taken male," Nivi said, not taking my counterattack well, "That's low."
"You don't have to make a single move. When the time comes, they'll make a move on their own," I glanced at Bart, Skaris, and Mitchell. "If they start to feel like I'm not the right one for them, then no matter how I treat them, they'll look the other way. But are they?"
Just like Nivi's ex-boyfriend. She treated him better than anyone, but he still went behind her back and cheated on her. Mitchell's existence brought out her insecurities and doubts. Bart's and Gold's decision to move on from their exes was even more damaging.
She thought beastmen were the epitome of loyalty, and they were. My husbands were just an exception that proved the rule.
Bart wouldn't leave Rosa for another female, no matter how sweet and nice that female was. He left because I turned him rootless. He didn't fall in love with me because of my charm. It was half Stockholm syndrome and the other half was a mixture of pity, and guilt.
Gold literally forced himself to like me. He would have never looked at me twice if his tribe's survival wasn't on the line. His love for me was built upon a bed of lies and sacrifices.
Mitchell? That guy would rather kill himself than end up obsessed like his father. I was probably the worst match for him. He knew that, yet he chose me anyway.
Nivi's males worked together to reassure her and help her heal from her past emotional scars. "We love you," they would say, "We don't want anyone else but you." They would do things that would make her feel secure again, "Nobody can make us feel loved like you do. You're the center of our world. We want you to feel the same way."
"I'm sorry," Nivi would say, "I'm really glad to have you all. I was just worried that I'm not good enough. I want to give you all the happiness in the world. I'm sorry, I shouldn't doubt myself or you. I love you all, too."
The sight of her smile rewarded their efforts. She and her males also had to endure their share of pain, but not everyone was understanding enough to see that.
Muir dusted the shelves in the store, treating me coldly while ignoring the claims that I mistreated them. He didn't defend me and my actions like he usually would.
My boys probably understood that no matter how much they tried to stand up for me, it would only paint me in a worse picture. So what did they end up doing? Those dumb little heads decided to paint themselves in a bad picture too.
Bart put on his bad-boy act, still fuming. He demanded I take back what I'd said earlier or he'd whisk the cubs away and raise them himself.
Skaris slapped my hands with his tail whenever I tried to touch it.
Mitchell refused to go to sleep and started whining about how his life was ruined because of me. "Look at what you did," he said, crossing his arms dramatically. "Once again, everyone else bailed on you, and who's left? Me. Of course, me. Lucky for you, I've got a soft spot for hopeless causes. You'd probably self-destruct without me around, right?"
I nodded, and his knees went so weak, Bart had to support him, thinking it was the beast pressure directed at him again.
Mitchell made a small retching gesture when Nivi's mates showered her with little kisses to show off how their relationship with their female was a million times better than theirs.
Bart elbowed Mitchell and took him away from the scene, "Seriously, you need to learn some manners. If I hear another rumor about our wife's obsession with you, I will not be held responsible for what happens."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Mitchell waved his hand at me, "I'm no longer sleepy. Let's get the cubs. It's been a while since we went to catch some fireflies."
Bart looked at me, asking for permission.
"Make sure not to catch anything poisonous this time."
Bart nodded and ran to follow Mitchell, "Wait for me!"
Skaris didn't want to leave me alone, but I was sure he wanted to join the other two instead of eating someone else's dog food. He stayed silent during the whole thing, holding back to avoid provoking anyone as Mitchell did. But his body language betrayed him. His provocative smirks and little scoffs only worsened the tension.
Muir ordered Skaris to prepare a feast for Romeo's return from his business trip.
"I'll leave Dear in your care," Skaris said. He was so happy that he nearly skipped on his way out, "Guys! Romeo is returning today!"
"Finally!" They cheered. Their actions spoke more than words ever could. People could talk shit all they wanted. They knew their value in my life, and I was confident they could see mine in theirs.
"Romeo?" Nivi was confused, slightly pulling away from her males, "Did you take in another male, Yaya?"
I nodded. "Thank you, Nivi," I said, smiling as I joined her males in trying to cheer her up, "You can always boost my self-esteem whenever I'm down. I really appreciate that."
"..."
"..."
Nivi failed to show my boys what they were missing. Her words and actions didn't make them jealous of what she had with her males. They didn't wish I could improve and treat them nicer. Rather, it made them realize how much they didn't need such a person in their lives.
· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·
At least Muir was diplomatic enough not to scoff at our guests. The atmosphere was slowly changing into a warmer one. I promised Nivi not to look for the Beast God by killing everyone if they promised to clear Bart's name back in their kingdom.
I'm sure she would rather see me locked up in a mental asylum, but it's too bad. If she wanted me gone from this world, she would have to take my males down with me. And for that, she needed a stronger army.
You wanted to be a part of my world, Nivi?
Then here you have it.
Welcome to my everyday paranoia.
Nivi would occasionally glance at the doors as if expecting someone's arrival. She was worried about something or someone. And I could tell it wasn't her males since all of them were present.
We engaged in small talk, discussing everything from the cubs' growth to the latest gossip. I felt like I was finally talking to a friend instead of being lectured by a nun.
The population of the Tiger tribe has increased in the past three and a half years, reaching almost 5,000. If this continued, they would surprise the old Beast City in no time.
The resort could currently accommodate around 300 guests. People began to reserve rooms in advance and would be invited by the resort (peacocks) before their visit. Protection and escorting could be provided at an extra cost.
The fee of one regular crystal per person for two nights was outrageous, but people were willing to pay. Especially single males that wanted to impress their future females. Cubs were included in the fee.
Crystals had long been the dominant currency, with stronger males exploiting their rarity to acquire far more than their true worth. The boys released a larger supply of crystals into circulation, which caused their value to lower.
They bought rice and wheat from herbivore beastmen and some ores from scorpions. Then, they began to sell them back into the market, controlling the price and trade flow.
Our first customers were the ones we collaborated with: the peacocks and mermen for their transport business, scorpions for their services, sheeps for their farming and production (we paid them more than most beastmen).
Nivi's leopard, tiger, lion, and panther mates' respective tribes were under their rule, so there were no collaborations with any kittens.
If you wanted a long-term place to stay, Nivi's kingdom was the best choice. It was under the protection of four kings and one queen, had the best medical care, was free to live in, and had the most advanced quality of life in the Beast Kingdom.
The resort wasn't a necessity; it was a luxury, a chance for anyone to be pampered and served like a precious gem if they worked hard enough to earn it, even just for a while. Vick built it in honor of me. It was a way to express his appreciation and devotion.
The resort represented him in his truest form ─ time-consuming and costly but worth every minute and effort. I wouldn't let anyone have it for a low price.
Nivi or not, she would have to pay for her stay in the resort. Our guest room in the manor had its doors open for her, but not the resort. I didn't care if that dickhead invited her here and offered her a bathhouse without a reservation.
"The fee is the same for everyone. We don't bargain or give discounts," Muir said, causing Nivi to nod awkwardly.
"Of course, of course. I didn't come here to bargain, I was just shocked by the price," Nivi replied, "You and the boys must be rolling in money these days."
"We are," Muir said flatly. He wasn't being arrogant. It was a fact.
Nivi was a charitable Queen, but also a smart one. She knew when to hold and when to fold and took out an emerald, "How much will this get me?"
"Nothing. We don't trade emeralds," Mur replied as I poured them tea. The autumn blend was especially delicious today, "Do you have something else?"
Everyone glanced at Muir in surprise. People would slave themselves for an emerald, but he refused it without blinking. "If you don't have crystals, we could trade some other items for them."
"We have some herbs and medicines," Harvey said, taking a handful of dried plants from his shoulder bag, "I picked these from our herb garden. You may take a look."
Muir examined the dried leaves, "Do you have more?"
Harvey nodded, "In our cart. I can bring some over."
Sei stopped Harvey and pulled out seven clear crystals, which equaled two nights for seven people.
Muir accepted the payment and handed them access bracelets with our crest.
Afterward, I led Nivi's group toward the east gate in the outer ring, leading us toward the resort.
Nivi wasn't convinced, and neither were her males. I could tell that much. They just played along and tolerated me to keep the crazy beast inside me tamed. At least until they got strong enough to deal with me upfront.
In their eyes, I experimented on beastmen for my own pleasure, so, of course karma would come to bite me in the ass one day.
Nivi tried to befriend my boys during my absence. It was a lovely sacrifice she was willing to make for the sake of her loved ones. In case I go nuts, I wouldn't drag my boys down with me and destroy the world.
The only positive response she got was from that dickhead; the rest pretended to be as busy as me.
Her intentions were pure, her actions justified. A man-hater like me couldn't possibly deal with my boys without messing them up further. No matter how much affection we showered each other in public, it wouldn't be real.
She wouldn't see me any better, even if my boys claimed they were worse than me. I was the cause of them becoming like that. Like how Bai wasn't good enough for her males in the novel, I wasn't good enough for mine.
I couldn't blame Nivi for being so skeptical and biased about me.
That's the Yaya she knew.
The Yaya that she believed in.
╔═══ Author's note ════╗
If you look at the situation from Nivi's viewpoint, she has a reason to antagonise YY. 😁
Yaya is being a bit sarcastic as always, but she doesn't view Nivi as her enemy. Her standards for what she looked for in a friend were never high. She could overlook other people's flaws to a degree, and Nivi exceeded what she could ever hope for.🤧
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