Ari

Chapter 65: I am not a Male

We were allowed to stay in Jael's house while we were still in the process of making paper and translating the engraved text on the ancient stones.

I guided them all throughout the process of creating paper despite my discomfort dealing with all the males around us. Lowell made a suppressant that can lessen my sense of smell to prevent myself from feeling extremely nauseated every time any male is at a close distance. It also acts as a calming medication that lessens my anxiety over the presence of males, though it is still inevitable for me to suffer from my phobia when a male touches me even if it was just accidental.

The females around us were so obsessed and curious about me that they kept swarming around me. They might have thought I was a male. They even tried to give me a lot of fruit while I was working with all the males on making paper. Even Falla did the same despite being also interested in another male. She is the other daughter of Aja with a crow beastman named Hroc.

She seemed to be in a good relationship with Nyala. Despite Nyala knowing that I am a female, she didn't tattle on her sister that I am a female because none of them are allowed to tell anyone my real identity to prevent any males from approaching me as per agreement.

One day, a female approached me asking how old I was and if I can show her my face in exchange for her accepting me as her potential spousal partner once I come of age.

I coughed in surprise while my companions were secretly laughing at a distance.

I shivered from such awkward words.

My brother also laughed at my situation.

I looked at him sharply and frowned, rolling my eyes in irritation.

"Hi! Can I borrow my brother for a while? He is quite shy so he won't be able to grant your condition so please don't feel bad if he silently rejects your offer. Now then, will you please excuse us?" My brother babbled on the female while dragging me away.

"Thanks brother." I mumbled when we got back to the group in a quite isolated area.

"Haha! I never thought that there would come a time that I'd be shielding you even from females. Have you seen how she looks at you? It was as if she can't wait for you to reach adulthood." He said while laughing hysterically.

"Hmph! Yeah... Sooooo funny... Keep laughing your heart out as long as you like." I mumbled while rolling my eyes away.

"Haha! Wait... S-Sorry... Haha! E-Excuse me for a bit... *cough*" He stuttered while laughing and trying so hard to calm himself down.

"Wah! Tora! Are you also on my brother's side? All of them are laughing at me even though it was not the first time this thing happened." I whined while running towards Tora, who was trying her hardest to suppress her laughter.

I acted like a child, but I didn't care since my body is still young anyway.

"Mommy ish both beautifuy and handshome." Gurion babbled before transforming to his aggressive form and throwing himself in my arms.

"Oh my! Gurion, your words are getting better. I'm so happy! Good job!" I exclaimed in surprise and happiness.

"What about me Ari? Am I not getting better with behaving properly the way you want me to? I haven't heard you praise me even once. I'm quite hurt, you know! You're quite biased towards this hatchling. Gurion, don't disturb Ari." Blake complained while grabbing Gurion by the scruff and placing him in his arms.

"You want me to praise you? Call me 'mom' too." I teased while bursting into laughter.

"Hey! I am older than you by a year though. Also, I can't call you 'mom' because you will be my future wife." He declared while blushing in embarrassment.

I blushed, flustered from his manly declaration.

Right, he will soon become an adult. I haven't even had a plan on accepting him as my partner, though I know that there was no certainty if I really won't fall for him in the future. I was just being realistic and self-aware since I don't want to eat my own words in the end.

However, he suddenly ran away with Gurion upon seeing my brother, Dillon and Lowell look at him sharply. I wasn't even able to retaliate from his words.

I laughed at his terrified look while running for his life. It felt like I have three older brothers instead of one only. It was amazing learning how it felt like having siblings around you. It's been a while since we started this journey, but I have been always busy thinking about my father only. I felt guilty for being rather absent minded at times and being indulged in my fears and past, but how do I even start fixing myself?

The females still kept lurking around me, but It's such a relief that they don't approach me too much. Jael must have told them not to cause any disturbance to us, especially me.

It took us a week just to create a bunch of papers. I started translating the engraved characters on the newly created paper as soon as the few batches were made. The production group still continued creating a few more batches on their own. Then, Jael ordered the closure of Central Hall to the public so that I can focus on translating.

I was always staying in the central hall to transcribe while Tora and a guard named Centaurus, a horse beastman, assist me so that I can concentrate with the translation and writing. As per agreement, all our male companions shall help with the process of making paper and ink.

They all initially didn't want to agree to let me go alone in the Central Hall despite its closure to the public. However, I personally told them that I can't concentrate on the work with them. I only wanted to have Tora by my side so Jael asked if a guard could accompany us since we are both female and one of their people should see the progress of the transcription. I agreed since it is only fair for them to do so.

I was also allowed to use Jael's personal stock room to store the finished written part of the book. He said that no one hardly goes there except for him.