CHAPTER 26: WHY DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND?

I did something that no one else had done for me, whether it was in my last life or this life.

I defended Damar.

Even if the world hates him, even if he’s seen as an outcast, one who can never mingle with the population, I will not abandon him.

He’s already shown me what it feels like to be adored, even with a few words. This was the least I could do for him.

Fenric dragged his wet hair back with one hand, his eyes locked on Damar with a questioning glare.

He couldn’t get it.

He couldn’t get why I was defending a snake beastman when they’re cruel and vicious nature was so well known.

He didn’t know why his competition had to be a snake beastman.

Wait, what?

"So you’re saying you’re going to take that snake bas- beastman as your spouse?" He asked, his eyes seeming more steady than before and I began to wonder what was going on.

What was with the sudden change of attitude?

"Y-yes," I answered, though suspicious.

"And there’s no way to change your mind?" He asked, suddenly swimming closer, and Damar got defensive, his hand on my shoulder suddenly tightening.

I felt his tail wave in the water and I worried that he would suddenly attack Fenric.

Even in this world, the one who strikes first is at fault, so you can’t blame the one being struck for fighting back even if they end up overpowering the striker and even killing them.

A fight is the last thing I want right now.

"Damar," I whispered softly and he looked down at me. I softly shook my head, indicating I didn’t want him to do anything and he remained still.

Fenric saw this and had to admit that Damar was rather possessive when it came to me but... That wasn’t going to stop him from achieving his goal.

"I’ve made up my mind," I said.

Fenric was right in front of me. I mean, he was very close, and that was why Damar felt even more defensive, but still didn’t do anything.

"Hm, then take me in as well." He suddenly said, which took me aback.

"What?"

"You didn’t say this snakeman was going to be your ’only’ spouse. You only said he’s going to be your first spouse." He said, his lips suddenly curling as he cleverly added, "I’m going to be your spouse as well, Arinya. You won’t reject me, will you? I don’t see how I fall short of this snake so there shouldn’t be a problem."

I was stuck dumbstruck.

Wait, what?

What was going on?

Yes, he didn’t fall short, and his abs were just as tempting as that smirk on his lips but I definitely did not see this coming.

He didn’t argue any further, and he didn’t say stuff like, ’I can’t stand seeing a snake beastman. It disgusts me.’

He wasn’t as prejudiced as I thought and... He was more cooperative.

Did he desire me that much for him to overlook that I had a public enemy as my spouse?

Why was he being so generous if it wasn’t the desire?

I could feel Damar’s eyes burning into him from behind me.

The fact that he’d have to ’share’ me with another beastman already makes his blood boil. It hadn’t even been a day and a beastman was already trying to get the position of my second spouse.

He could protest, if he wanted to, but he couldn’t.

It was my decision as the female and the males had no say. The most he could do was complain and grumble in dissatisfaction.

But he couldn’t even do that because I already made it clear that I plan to have multiple spouses. So his grumble won’t change anything.

Thus, he can only express his hostility towards the other males and not say a word to me.

"I... I don’t understand." I said to Fenric.

"What don’t you understand?" Fenric asked, daringly drawing closer and ignoring Damar’s glare. "Ask away and I’ll make sure to make it clear for you."

He even wanted to be generous and answer my question.

I pursed my lips, my tongue licking the inside of my mouth as I pondered.

He was hard to figure out.

Thanks to our interaction, I’ve come to know he’s quite smart and can see through loopholes in a person’s statement. And that... He’s ready to compromise just to get what he wants but... Was this really okay?

I don’t expect the rest of the tribe to be welcoming of the idea, just like him either. And that’s why I feel even more suspicious.

What was his goal?

"Why me?" I asked.

"I already told you. You’re my ideal female." He said. "I don’t want the rest that are weak and know nothing. I want you, who is strong and fit." He explained. "I heard you weren’t the brightest and didn’t care but that seemed to be wrong since you seem plenty smart to me."

Yeah, no shit. It’s because I’m not the real Arinya, but I can’t even say that.

Not like they’d believe me if I said anything anyway.

"If it’s not you, then no one else." He said, his face hovering over mine and then he raised his gaze to meet Damar’s lightening glare.

I could’ve sworn I saw lightning bolts flashing between their eyes.

"Even if it means I have to consider this snake as part of our ’family’ I can do it. After all," he tore his gaze from Damar and looked into my eyes.

His ruby eyes stared softly into mine. A soft gaze that I never expected to see in his eyes from the moment we met.

He felt so much like a different person that it... Got my heart skipping.

"...you’re the most important."

Really? Was he really going through with this and putting up with a snake beastman because I was his ’type’? Wasn’t that too much?

And why was he feeding me the ’if it’s not you, then it’s no one else’ line? It was so cringe, and at the same time so full of warmth that it touched my heart.

Ah, I thought only the sight of his abs could make my heart rock but his words, and that soft smile on his lips... They were more than enough to make my heart rock.

Does this mean I have two spouses already?

And... This is just the second day after coming to this world?

Will I be getting a new spouse every single day?

What am I? A spouse magnet?

No, I don’t think I need to worry about something like that. It’s not like it’s every day you come across an extremely handsome beastman.

"So, what do you say, Arinya? Will you let me be your second spouse?"