Chapter 122: I forgot. You’ll never be able to speak again
WARNING: SENSITIVE CONTENT AHEAD
Opehlia caught the look and felt a sudden prickle of unease. "Is something wrong with the soup?" she asked, glancing down at the bowl, then back at Zara.
Zara shook her head. "No, nothing’s wrong. I was just wondering... what are those?" She pointed over Opehlia’s shoulder, her finger aiming toward the row of large pots behind her.
Opehlia, momentarily distracted, turned her head to follow Zara’s gesture. The pots were sitting on a stone slab, ready to be filled with more soup. Isabella had planned to make a large batch soon and teach the villagers how to use it. It was all part of her efforts to help the village and introduce them to something new, something that could bring everyone together.
When Opehlia turned back to Zara, her smile was warm and innocent. "Oh, those are just some pots. Isabella plans on making a big batch soon and teaching the villagers how to cook. It’ll be a big help to everyone."
But Zara didn’t seem to hear her. The moment Ophelia turned away, Zara’s hands moved fast—almost too fast to catch. From a small leaf-shaped pouch, she poured something into the bowl of soup meant for Isabella. It was swift, subtle—if Ophelia hadn’t been distracted by Zara’s question, she might’ve missed it entirely.
Zara’s eyes flicked back up to Opehlia, her smile widening as she stepped back. "I’m sure Isabella will love it," she said, her tone light, almost too casual.
Opehlia, still unaware, beamed at Zara. "Yeah, she’ll love it. I’m sure she’s going to enjoy all the things we’re making for her."
The tension in the air thickened for a brief second, but Zara didn’t let it show. She just gave a nod, her smile still firmly in place, before turning to leave. Opehlia, still none the wiser, watched her go, feeling a sense of calm she didn’t quite understand.
As Zara walked away, her heart raced just a little. She had a plan, and it was working perfectly.
It might’ve been the stone age, sure—but the way this beastworld did palaces? Excessive. Every structure, whether tucked in the heart of a city or cradled by some remote village, was unnecessarily massive. Towering walls. Endless hallways. Everything was big for no reason at all—just vibes, apparently.