Youngsters are bound to make mistakes.

"Okay... At first, it was because of my beliefs and I was insecure. I was scared of mingling with other males because of their behavior and blatant stares, naturally, they became protective of me because of my shortcomings."

Liss explained in a way that favored her friends using her unusual backstory as an excuse, but Fenghuang who was aware of the truth, snickered murmuring a hum, Fenghuang who was amused with her words, stretched his hand reaching her hair, sliding his hand through the length of a strand of Liss's hair.

"Little Liss is kind to a fault."

"So, Liss, I'm right to assume that you will be accepting them as your mates right?"

"Ye-" Liss spoke just to be interrupted by Fenghuang.

"It's too early for that. She is uneducated and needs guidance."

Feng Huang tightly gripped the delicate strand of hair, turning his head to meet the fierce gaze of the tiger king. A broad grin spread across his face, causing his eyes to crinkle at the corners and form the shape of a half-moon.

"Then her mates will help her. That's their role."

"Yes, usually it would act out that way, but I announced to the youngsters that I would be teaching her before sending her back."

The tiger king reacted to those words dumbstruck, he leaned back in his chair oggling Liss and Fenghuang with raised eyebrows and slightly wide eyes in surprise, witnessing their interactions was surprising enough but hearing Feng Huang announce that, was icing on the cake. The kings in general wanted to have an immortal settling down in their domains, having one as a resident meant supremacy over the other's fiefdoms and acted as a shield against ferals and deviants and helped with negotiations. 

The tiger king knew Fenghuang and knew of his antics and impulsive behavior. But despite the outcome, having Fenghuang around for longer was a win.

"Fenghuang, I see no issue with that. You, as a member of the temple, I believe there's no one better suited for this task. The special case of the female calls for extra attention and care. I confidently say this after observing your fondness for the little one."

The Lion King nodded with a cunning smile, pleased with the conclusion of their talk. Fenghuang didn't act any differently after hearing the confirmation. He crossed his arms loosely and leaned back in his chair, showing his satisfaction with a smug smirk.

Liss is an heiress, part of the one percent. She was carefully molded to become exceptional and taught a wide array of subjects since her tender years to become an outstanding leader. Etiquette, politics, negotiation, and so on., Liss only bowed to her mother.

Even though the girl grew to become emotionless, she was a girl with dignity and grace.

The fall from so high up crushed her pride, denied of a right granted since her birth, that moment was a catalyst for Liss. Anger, shame, frustration, Liss clawed her thighs in order to contain herself.

She felt.

Not the puny type of emotions she had until now of attraction or desire towards the trio. She felt anger.

Her chest tightened, her heart started to beat fast, she felt light-headed, and her jaw clenched until it hurt. Even though it was a foreign sensation, she instinctively knew that it was anger, and with her mind in that muddled state, she couldn't think of her next move, couldn't think of anything to say.

They had wronged her, parading their contentment right in front of her after deciding her fate after their will.

As her vision began to blur, cold sweat prickled her skin, and she could no longer rationalize. Her fight-or-flight instinct kicked in.

Abruptly she stood up making the chair loudly drag on the floor surprising the other two as it tumbled backward clashing on the floor with a loud bang, but Liss didn't move after that, still struggling to restrain herself.

The lion king and Fenghuang were too surprised to react, both sat frozen with wide eyes gaping as Liss stood there with her head hanging low, her hair draping over her face like a golden curtain, and her fists clenched on her sides.

Fenghuang called, his voice hesitant as he reached to touch Liss's arm. As soon as their skin made contact Liss swatted his hand away and only then, Fenghuang could see the expression on her face.

The area around her eyes and the middle of her forehead was flushed pink. Her eyebrows were knitted together and her pupils were dilated, 

that gaze Liss gave shocked Fenghuang, Liss was a pure, sweet female, a well-behaved and kind being who knew how to please him.

Before anyone could react, Liss hurried towards the door, pushing it roughly so that it clashed with the wall outside, and then bounced back, closing aggressively and making a loud bang after she passed through.

While she strode off, the hall was dead silent. To Fenghuang, the information of what had just happened hadn't dawned on him yet, he sat there frozen with his arm still stretched in the direction where Liss once was with his mouth agape. 

The tiger king hunched forward with his elbows on the table covering his eyes with his hands looking distressed, just then it came to him. Never in his life he had treated a female like that, she acted so meek and stayed quiet during the meal that they didn't even ask her opinion and decided for her. 

"Even though we know of her past and that she was a feral child bride..."

The tiger king groaned, rubbing his temples with his head down in shame.

Fenghuang quickly regained his senses and rushed to the door to go after Liss. As he looked down the long hall, he didn't see her silhouette ahead, and he started to panic because that meant she had already left.

Liss, a pitiful female with dazzling beauty, grace, and a gentle temperament left his protection.