CHAPTER 29: IS THAT TRULY ARINYA?

We finally arrived at the tribe, though it was already dark. I just hoped I wouldn’t return to see some drama, you know, like the previous day, when my hands were bound before I could even tell what was going on.

This time, I have Fenric with me so I probably shouldn’t worry about getting falsely accused right off the bat.

Though, they probably don’t know that Fenric has been with me, so Veyra could still plot whatever she wanted to plot.

I’ll slip out of it, anyway. Not sitting back to accept punishment when I didn’t even do anything wrong.

The two beast folks guarding the ’fortress’ saw us approaching and then turned to yell into the tribe,

"They’re back! Beast warrior Fenric and Arinya are back!"

Hm? That’s usual.

Since when did I start getting announced like that?

I’m pretty sure no one cared if I disappeared or stayed out till the next day before. But... I glanced at Fenric.

It was probably because of Fenric. Though it was normal for me to stay out late, it wasn’t so for Fenric who was still new to this land.

They were probably looking for him. But a certain thought made me titter. Who knows, they might even say I kidnapped him, haha.

"You should let me handle this," I said to him.

"Are you sure?" He asked. "What if there’s a misunderstanding?"

"Well," I’m used to getting misunderstood. "...I’ll deal with it somehow. If I can’t, you can speak up."

As we walked in through the entrance, my father emerged, and so did the rest of the tribe, which was quite an unusual sight.

Were they that worried?

But before anyone could speak, I heard whispers.

"Is that truly Arinya?"

"She looks different for some reason."

"Her face... Has her face always been like that?"

The whispers were so vivid that I couldn’t even pretend not to hear.

Anyway, it seems the change in my appearance was clear. I knew it. It was the dirt that Arinya never washed from her face that made others think she was ugly.

What ugly Duckling? This face is just so pretty.

But I don’t expect their attitude to take a hundred degree turn around simply because my appearance changed.

I quickly turned my gaze to Veyra, wondering what her reaction was to seeing my clean face, and as I thought, she was biting on her lip so hard that it could rip.

But there was no one looking at her. I bet she would immediately turn all gentle and calm once someone turned to look at her.

"Arinya, where have you been?" Rakan, my father, asked and I brought my gaze to him.

He usually didn’t mind where I went since I could take care of myself well, so what was this now?

"Did you take Beast warrior Fenric out without a word?" My father asked and I nearly clicked my tongue.

It was certainly because of Fenric.

But it’s not like I kidnapped him or anything so why were they all like this?

My father didn’t look disturbed or troubled. It was more like he was looking for an answer, an explanation, as if the answer would determine our standing... I glanced around but did not see the snow tiger’s chief or his children.

Where did they go?

I doubt they didn’t hear that their son was back.

"You can’t act so recklessly, sister." Veyra suddenly added and my gaze fell lazily on her.

What was it to her?

"You have to consider our tribe too. Why do you want to bring forth the wrath of the Crysthorn tribe’s chief upon us?"

I picked my ear. Their words felt ridiculous.

"So, you’re saying I took Fenric away without ’permission,’ and that’s why it seems our tribe will have a falling out with the snow, I mean, Crysthorn tribe?"

I asked, glancing at my father, since these claims seem unacceptable and he nodded.

Really? Was it that easy to make an enemy of a tribe that has a long-lasting relationship with us?

"Wow, really? And did the chief tell you this himself?" I asked, since it looked like they were coming to this conclusion on their own.

Or rather... I glanced at Veyra... Someone was feeding them this conclusion.

"The fact that you took a guest out without letting anyone know is already unacceptable," Zevak claimed and Ashren followed with such claims.

"You have to accept that you were wrong."

"Wait, hold on. Why are you coming to such conclusions on your own?" I asked. "First off, I didn’t ’sneak’ Fenric out without permission, and second, even if that did happen, what’s there to worry about? Do you think I could harm a beast warrior even if I wanted to?" I scoffed, looking at them in disbelief. "You’re all over exaggerating and you’re making a scene out of nothing. Why is it a problem if I decide to show our guest around the Forest?"

In the first place, I didn’t even sneak Fenric out but I doubt even telling them this will change the outcome.

Veyra keeps feeding them lies, keeps trying to make me out to be a bad egg, a troublemaker, and once again, she’s brought up a completely useless worry that the others don’t even find suspicious.

"I don’t have the energy for this," I said, and finally turned to Fenric, who had been silent this whole time, on my request. "Why don’t you explain to them why we’re returning together?"

If he simply tells them that he followed me without my knowledge then it’ll settle everything. Veyra won’t have any claims to accuse me of then as well.

"Don’t blame Arinya for anything." He proclaimed, his voice even and smooth. "She didn’t take me out, I followed her on my own."

I nodded, my arms folded as I thought that had settled things. But then, he went ahead to add,

"I want to become Arinya’s spouse, so I followed her." He proudly said.

I flinched. He... He didn’t have to say that part, did he? Now there’s going to be a lot of noise.

The tribe folks were shocked, and even more so struck with disbelief.

It was as if they all had one question written on their faces. Of all the females in the village, why did he have to take an interest in me, Arinya?

Well, jokes on you. I just happen to be his type.