CHAPTER 36: ARINYA IS VERY INCREDIBLE

We started walking back again, though in silence, but my body bumped into his a few times, and I think he did it on purpose, because each time we bumped and I’d look up, he’d smile at me as if that was just what he wanted to do.

He was handsome, gosh. And I could barely hide the blush on my face a few times.

This must be him trying to earn brownie points during the probation.

We finally got back to the feast gathering, but this time, there were already a lot of people gathered.

I spotted Rakan and Chief Rasa sitting at what looked like the head table. No, scratch that. Head rock since they were sitting on rocks instead.

They didn’t even have anything serving as a table in front of them. They planned to eat the meat in this feast with their bare hands.

Those bloody and raw meats, ugh.

The sight was a bit embarrassing to me but I couldn’t say anything since this was the way things were in this era.

I just have to focus on my own goals.

Chief Kasa raised his head and spotted his son.

"Fenric," he called and I flinched.

I don’t want to go over there. Yeah, they called Fenric but I already see where this is going.

"Arinya, my father is calling for me." He said and I forced out a smile.

"Yeah, have fun."

But he grabbed my arm and said,

"He probably hasn’t taken a good look at you. Let’s go over there."

Noooo, I don’t want to go there.

Your father is so intimidating and more than that... My father was there as well. I didn’t want to face him after my harsh words.

"I don’t want to go," I said but he dragged me along anyway.

"Come on, it’s not that bad." He said and then we finally reached there.

Chief Kasa looked at us and then his eyes fell on me.

"You must be the female my son has been going around with, huh?" He asked. "He even ran away to find you." With that, he let out a hearty laugh.

Yeah, that’s the kind of relaxed expression a father who knows his son’s strength well would have. Unlike my foolish tribe that wanted to hang me for ’kidnapping’ Fenric, he was more sensible.

"He likes Arinya a lot." Solin, whom I didn’t even know was sitting next to him, added. Her eyes met mine. "And Arinya seems very different."

"I can tell." Chief Kasa said. "Back in our tribe, Fenric won’t even spare a single glance at the females. So holding hands with this female now is clear evidence of how much he likes her."

I get their showering me with praises but can they tone it down a bit? It’s making my heart go pittapat and making me nervous.

"Thank you," I said, bowing my head lightly. "I wouldn’t say I’m the greatest, but," my eyes rolled towards the females on the other end, females from our tribe who were gritting their teeth. "...your son definitely has good eyes."

I don’t plan to be arrogant, but I don’t plan to become a hundred percent humble either.

"She’s right," Fenric said his hands landing on my shoulders. "Arinya is very incredible. She even knows about the gift we brought."

Chief Kasa looked amazed and then asked,

"Is that true?" I nodded. "Then she is beyond amazing since I bet it’s the first time she’s seeing it, right?"

It’s amazing how quickly he believes I know the use of the rock he brought over when I haven’t even demonstrated.

I’d say he was a simpleton but maybe it’s because he believes no one can dare to lie to him to his face. Especially when he gives off such an intimidating aura.

"What is that?" Rakan asked, and Chief Kasa turned to him.

"We brought a gift along during our journey. It’s great for the scenery and scratching on." He said and laughed once again, his heavy and hearty laugh echoing uncontrollably.

Then, my father laughed along.

"If it’s a gift, we will certainly accept it."

"It seems your daughter knows what it is, aside from the things we know it to do." My father turned to me, wondering if that’s true but I didn’t meet his eyes and turned.

He wouldn’t believe it if Veyra suddenly whispered in his ear that I’m lying, would he?

"Bring the gift!" Chief Kasa announced and a few of the snow tigers brought over the rock of salt.

They placed it in front of Rakan and Kasa and the tribe folks began to gasp in awe.

"It reflects nicely under the sunlight," Kasa explained.

"Where did you find this?" Rakan asked.

"When the ocean dries up when winter approaches your land, these rocks appear. Though we don’t know why they do but they do. We see them a lot, so I decided to bestow it onto you as a gift." Kasa explained and then I saw my father’s gaze examining the rock of salt.

"Hm," then, he looked towards me but I nearly hid behind Fenric, knowing what he was about to say. "Arinya," he called.

"Yes, father?"

"Isn’t this the thing you asked me to look for?" He asked. "Though I still didn’t understand what you were looking for, now that I see it, it fits the description you gave very well."

I gulped and then nodded.

"Yes, father."

"Arinya is amazing indeed." My father began to shower me with praises but they only made me uncomfortable. "She already asked me to help find this unknown rock before. So if she says she knows what it is, then she definitely knows."

I appreciate you elevating me and making it seem like I know what I’m doing but... None of it makes me comfortable.

Especially when knowing that you might change once again if Veyra says anything about me.

Because of that, I no longer wanted to be comfortable with Rakan, even if he tries to put in effort to be a better father.

"Arinya, was it?" Chief Kasa called and I nodded. "Will you tell us what it is now? What is this rock used for?"