A New Life In The Beast World-Chapter 64: Not A Good Person

"Are those apples?!" Ria exclaimed excitedly as she gazed at Serena’s basket with wide eyes. "Where did you find them?"

Serena had just returned from the forest and was heading back to her hut when Wilma spotted her. The rabbit beastwoman waved at her, calling for her to join the group.

She planned to refuse, but next thing she knew, she was sitting in front of the beastwomen group as they checked out what she had harvested. She wasn’t even sure how she landed up agreeing to this.

Still, seeing Ria’s excited face at the sight of the red apples she had harvested did give her an idea.

"They are apples." Serena confirmed, grabbing a few from her basket. "I found a few apple trees south west from here. I can show you where they are if you’d like."

That way at least some of her debt towards these beastwomen was paid. They had given her ample knowledge despite her wariness of them and it would be wrong to not pay it back.

"That would be amazing!" Ria exclaimed. "I haven’t had apples in forever." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"It’s only been three seasons since you’ve had them last." Emma muttered dryly. "After all, they’re only in season right now. It’s no surprise Serena found some."

Ria turned to look at the older beastwoman, about to say something, but Serena interrupted and added, "Here. You can all have one. I have several with me, so I don’t mind sparing a few if you enjoy them."

"Are you sure, Serena?" Wilma suddenly asked. "It must’ve been hard to harvest them all. Surely, you want to keep them for your family."

"Theo doesn’t eat plants and I’m not sure if Kiro will like them." Serena answered honestly. "He might eat one or two like me. The rest might get wasted before they’re eaten. So, it’s fine if you have some now. Besides, this pays some of my debt to you all and I can always go get more later."

Originally, if they hadn’t eaten all of the ones she had in her harvest basket, she would’ve just added them to her subspace as emergency food.

But seeing how the rabbit beastwomen were looking at the apples in her hands, she decided to just let them have it. They’d probably enjoy it more than she would anyway.

Because even if they didn’t show their excitement like Ria had, Serena definitely noticed the gleam in their eyes. Especially Fay. She was practically drooling from the far corner where she was sitting.

Of course, the beastwomen were hesitating despite her words, so Serena added, "If you don’t like them then please refuse. Otherwise, I won’t take no for an answer."

"It’s not that we don’t like apples, but..." Grace paused, looking to find the right words.

"You shouldn’t think that you have any debt towards us." Emma finished for her. "We help you because we like you. I’m sure you’d do the same if any of us were in your position. Besides, it is the duty of elders to pass down knowledge to the younger ones. If anything, you’re letting me do my duty well."

She chuckled at the last part, but Serena could barely keep the smile on her face at Emma’s words. Because Emma’s judgement of her was wrong. She’d never help anyone.

Not unless it benefited her. That was the kind of person she was.

Which was why she was trying to keep this relationship with the other beastwomen transactional. It drew clear lines that no one crossed. Something she needed because feelings made things messy.

She didn’t want to make their relationship complicated. She didn’t want to get entangled with emotions. And most of all, she didn’t want to get hurt.

Not again.

Serena gulped down the massive lump in her throat, steeling her resolve as she murmured, "I’m not sure that’s the right judgement of me. I’m not a good person..."

Confusion spread though the other beastwomen, but Serena didn’t elaborate on her words. She was too much of a coward to say anything more. This was all the warning she was willing to give.

"Anyway, I need to head back now." Serena stated before they could say another word, setting down the apples in front of them. She then straightened up and added, "Enjoy the apples. I’ll show you the route tomorrow."

And with that she hurried back to her hut, ignoring the shock and bewilderment radiating behind her. Instead, she did the one thing she was good at - she buried the feelings within her.

Friendship was not something she could do. Ever.

She was rounding the corner to her hut when she suddenly bumped into someone. Serena winced a little and glanced over at the other person to see if they were fine.

"Elder Samuel?!" Serena exclaimed in surprise, watching the older beastman rub his chin. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine." Elder Samuel waved a hand. "I should’ve probably been looking where I was going. I didn’t hurt you, did I?"

As he spoke, he looked over her, checking for any injuries. Serena shook her head and answered, "I’m fine too... Um, did something happen?"

It was quite strange to see Elder Samuel in such a hurry. For the most part, he was quite a calm person. Unless there was an emergency that needed his attention. Which was never a good sign.

"Oh it’s nothing much." Elder Samuel smiled warily. "Just some things I need to take care of..."

Serena frowned. "Is that so?"

"Yip." Elder Samuel nodded his head. "You really don’t need to worry. I’m just doing some routine checks. Making sure everything is in order."

Right, Theo had told her that Elder Samuel got his help chopping wood to do some repairs on the perimeter walls. Guess, Elder Samuel was just checking that everything was fine in preparation for the cold season.

Which suddenly brought a question in mind.

"Elder Samuel..." Serena said aloud. "I’ve been meaning to ask something."

Elder Samuel raised an eyebrow, curious about what Serena was about to ask. "Oh, what is it?"

"I was wondering why the walls are made of wood." Serena finally asked. "I understand the need to lay low, but aren’t there better defenses that could be put in place? Perhaps clay similar to what the huts are made of."