My Beastly Fertility System Chapter 41: The Public Apology

Gavin didn't seem nervous at all. But he was clumsy. Every now and then, the torch would brush against Fiona's skin and burn her, making her yell in pain.

Even so, Gavin kept going, doing things his own way as he tried to treat her.

Hazel had already asked Claire and the others to leave the cave.

For the first time, Hazel spoke to Claire kindly.

"Thank you, Claire. This red hide is what I promised to give you as compensation."

She held out the beautiful animal hide.

Claire didn't take it. She held her large belly with both hands and reminded her, "We agreed. Fiona has to apologize in front of everyone."

"Well, Fiona is still being treated. Once she's better, I'll make sure she apologizes. I promise!"

Hazel's attitude was extremely humble.

Only then did Claire nod. She let Zane take the hide, then turned and left with Elodie.

On the way, Elodie took Claire's hand.

"Claire, that treatment worked really well! How did you know about it?"

"Oh, I just found out by accident. After heating it over a fire, it doesn't itch anymore."

She wasn't about to say it was basic modern knowledge. Silkroot was good for health. It was something she used to eat often, so she had learned it over time.

Elodie looked at Claire with pure admiration. She had a great memory, paid attention to details, and could apply what she learned to everyday life. She was truly a treasure.

Elodie left happily.

Claire leaned in Zane's arms, smiling like a sly little fox who had gotten her way.

Zane tightened his hold on her, full of affection.

The next day, Fiona's itching finally went away. She planned to stay in her cave and rest for a few days, but beastfolk sent by Elodie came to rush her to the central square.

Bruno carried Fiona. Several of her mates followed behind, and Gavin stayed close as well.

Many clan members had gathered in the square. When they saw Fiona's changed appearance, they were shocked.

What happened to her yesterday had already spread through the clan.

Some hadn't seen it themselves and had doubts. But the moment they saw her, all doubt disappeared.

Her once full figure was now covered in yellowish patches. The color was uneven—spots here and there all over her body.

There were also many wounds that had stopped bleeding, but you could still see the torn skin underneath.

Claire leaned against Zane.

Her belly was getting bigger and heavier, and resting on him made it easier.

Hazel stood beside her. Elodie stood on the other side. All of them looked at Fiona as she approached.

"Fiona..."

Hazel felt a bit sorry for her daughter.

She knew Fiona's temper well. Asking her to apologize in public was extremely hard for her.

But there was no choice. In the heat of yesterday's situation, Hazel had made a promise. Now she had no good excuse to go back on it.

Fiona would just have to endure it.

Fiona, however, felt humiliated. She had never apologized to anyone before. As the clan leader's daughter, she had always been admired and praised.

"Mom, I'm not apologizing! Claire is the one who poisoned me! If she hadn't brought something so dangerous into the clan, I wouldn't have suffered like that!"

The memory of the unbearable itching from yesterday was still fresh in her mind. But she refused to admit fault and tried to blame Claire instead.

"And it's a good thing I was the one who took it! If some other beastfolk—or even a youngling—had eaten it, they might not have survived!

"So I'm the one who saved everyone! Claire clearly had bad intentions!"

The more Fiona spoke, the more confident she became. Her eyes grew sharp as she pointed at Claire and accused her.

Claire almost wanted to applaud her. And she did.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

After a few claps, Claire looked at Hazel with a faint smile.

"Hazel, is this what you call an apology? Fiona clearly has no intention of apologizing."

Fiona jumped down from Bruno's arms, still arguing.

"Then tell me—if it's not safe to eat, why did you bring it back to the clan? You were trying to poison us! Don't let her fool you! That kind of pain was horrible. I almost died!"

As Fiona stirred things up, some of the clan members began to side with her.

People tend to stay out of things that don't affect them—but once something feels like a threat, everything changes.

Everyone started turning against Claire.

"That's true. Dangerous things shouldn't be brought into the clan. Those hungry younglings will chew on anything they see."

"Good thing I didn't eat it! Claire is being careless. We can't let her stay in the clan. Who knows when she'll poison us next?"

"Yeah! Kick her out! Drive her out of the clan!"

The crowd looked at Claire with growing anger. Led by Fiona, they raised their arms and shouted, demanding that she be expelled.

Not a single one of them mentioned the harsh weather. Winter was coming. If they drove a weak female out of the clan now, they might as well be sentencing her to death.