Chapter 178: Punishment
They all sat down quietly like children who had been brought before the authorities for something they had done wrong. No one spoke; they stared at each other and then at Sunnie.
Luka had the courage to ask, "How are you doing...?"
Sunnie stared at him. "I would be doing pleasantly well if you guys didn’t bring more trouble upon me," she said firmly.
"..."
They stared at each other, wondering what they had done now and why Sunnie was reacting this way towards them.
"And what did we do now?" Eris asked as he leaned forward, blinking.
Sunnie stared at them. "You dare ask?" She folded her arms with a soft scuff as she said, "Who was behind it? Who suggested going to the hyena tribe and doing that?"
"....."
Everyone was silent. They all blinked with immense shock as they stared at each other and then back at Sunnie.
All that ran through their minds at that moment was: How the hell did she know?
Sunnie had been unconscious the whole time, so it didn’t make any sense to them how she could know. They couldn’t help but wonder if she really was the goddess they thought she was.
"Eh... It was me," Azure admitted, guessing it was already too late to hide it.
Sunnie folded her arms, staring at him. "Why? I told you guys to leave them alone for now. We’re already developing our farmlands, so why go back to them?"
Luka forced a smile as he said, "We didn’t harm anyone, so don’t worry at all," trying to soothe her.
Azure explained his reason. He wanted to get back at them for picking on them, looking down on them, and trying to harm his little one. Sunnie understood his reasons; she couldn’t even bring herself to be mad at him.
She simply ran a hand through her forehead as she said, "But this isn’t the best way to do it. This will potentially harm some innocent people there who will be deprived of meals."
Her husbands were quiet for a while, thinking through what Sunnie had said.
Luka slowly nodded. "That’s true." He felt guilty now.
Sunnie sighed again as she said, "Now I’ll have to punish you all for not considering them. Just because some people looked down on you doesn’t mean you should make the innocent suffer as well. Most of them wouldn’t do that to you."
After giving them an earful, she proceeded to say, "For your punishment, no meals for anyone until all five of you apologize wholeheartedly."
"....."
There was silence as they stared at each other and then at Sunnie. She had a firm expression, arms folded, staring at them without any emotion.
They blinked, and then Luka went first. He walked up to her and held her by the hand. "I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I won’t go against your words again. I’ll always listen."
Azure also approached. "I’m sorry for doing that. I won’t do it again, so don’t be mad at me. Okay?" He flashed Sunnie a warm smile—a smile that threatened to make her heart flutter. But Sunnie kept a firm expression.
Eris blinked as he tilted his head. "If I apologize, do I get a kiss as a reward?" He asked with a smile.
But Azure and Luka gave him a cold glare.
Eris approached too and sighed, lowering his head. "I’m sorry for what I did. I promise I won’t join them in their evil ways anymore." He stared at Sunnie with a smile. "Now do I get a kiss?"
They cast him another glare.
The three who had apologized turned and stared at Zayn and Karl. The two of them sat there, arms folded, staring back. They didn’t seem to have any intention of apologizing at all.
Eris blinked. "What’s taking so long? Apologize already so we can have meals at least."
"Yes. Don’t keep Sunnie angry for long," Luka said firmly.
But Karl folded his arms as he said, "We don’t apologize that easily. We didn’t do anything wrong. We only got back at them for what they did to us. You weaklings can choose to apologize if you want, but the two of us will never..."
"I’m sorry," Zayn said. "For potentially hurting the innocent, I’m sorry."
It was hard for Sunnie to tell if he was being genuine or just speaking for the sake of it. His expression was neutral and didn’t show any emotion at all. But Sunnie guessed it was okay as long as he had apologized.
When he was done apologizing, Karl stared at him with immense shock. "Traitor. Weakling," he snapped.
But Zayn casually shrugged and didn’t say anything. Now they all stared at Karl, waiting for him to speak.
But Karl held himself firmly as he said, "I won’t be doing that. Meals? What’s that? I can surely survive without food." He got up and left the cave confidently.
Everyone watched him leave, blinking.
"That stubborn thing..." Eris shook his head. "He can stay hungry, but I don’t want to stay hungry for that long."
He blinked as he turned to stare at Sunnie. Eris smiled as he said, "Well, since the four of us have already apologized with all our hearts, maybe you can make an exception and feed us. Okay?"
But Sunnie kept her firm expression as she said, "I’ve already said it. Until all five of you apologize, no one is getting food. And that’s final." She raised her chin.
Shock filled their faces. Luka and Eris stared at each other and panicked. They were already hungry and waiting for the breakfast being prepared outside that morning. And now they couldn’t eat because Karl had refused to apologize.
"That little..." Eris got up to his feet. "He needs to come here and apologize now so I can eat. I can’t stay hungry because of his little pride." He rushed outside, chasing after Karl. "Hey! Come back here and apologize, you little rascal!"