CHAPTER 62: AH, WAS THAT A COMPLIMENT?

I was glad I was able to settle the situation without hurting Damar’s feelings.

It was a mistake on our part not telling him what should’ve been said.

Fenric, who had simply been standing and watching silently, scratched the back of his head.

He had more or less understood the situation and thought he had gone a little bit overboard with the criticism.

He hesitated for a bit, his eye flickering roughly and his shoulders stiffening.

But then he placed his hands on his hips and said,

"Sorry," he apologized but did not keep eye contact for long. He simply said that and then turned as he finished his words. "Don’t beat yourself up too much."

That was all he said but as I stared at his side view, how he twisted his lips and acted all awkward... I suddenly remembered the dejected expression he had when he told me about the females who could never handle his beast side.

In a way, he was no different from Damar. Only, Fenric was adored and praised when in his human form.

I guess that’s why he can understand Damar to an extent.

Yes, this is what I want. Empathy that resonates between all of us. A bond that can be formed through sharing tales of past hardships.

"Damar," I called, and noticed he had been staring at me the whole time.

As soon as my eyes met his, he got all shy about it and turned away.

I paused. That was a new reaction.

Was he thinking of something naughty and got caught? Pft.

"Are you okay?" I asked and he nodded. "Please don’t be sad about how we didn’t tell you what we needed the squirrels for. I didn’t think things would go in this direction at all."

If I did, I would’ve prevented it and not have to go down such an emotional and hurtful memory lane.

"It’s fine, Ari. Besides, the squirrels won’t go to waste." He said. "You can eat as much as you want."

I chuckled, nodding my head.

"Yeah, you’re right." And with the availability of salt, I can store them for a long time and won’t have to worry about hunting every time I want to eat.

It’s a great deal.

"That cub..." Damar suddenly spoke up concerning Fenric but threw his face aside as he folded his arms, not wanting to show the kind of expression he had on his face as he mumbled at the end, "...is not too shabby."

Ah, was that a compliment? It was better than nothing.

"Don’t worry, I’ll let him know," I said, patting his back, and then he grabbed my arm, pulling me closer.

"Ari," he called, his eyes gazing intently into mine. I gulped, given how seriously he was staring at me. "Are you sure you don’t regret it?"

I went silent. He didn’t need to spell it for me word for word for me to know what he was talking about.

He gazed at me intently, but inside those intent eyes were mixed feelings.

He hoped, and he wished... He did not want his fears to be a reality.

He did not want me to regret.

He wished I would stay true to my words and never get tired of me.

"I won’t," I answered.

"Are you really not scared of me?" He asked.

I thought we were past this already but it seems like his insecurities were speaking louder now that ’that’ happened.

I could feel his uneasiness.

Was it because of the mark?

For some reason, I could understand his eyes so clearly.

And because I could understand his eyes, and knew I was the reason he was so on edge, I felt even more obligated to clear up his uneasiness about this whole thing.

"Damar," I called. "If I were scared of you," I lifted my other hand and caressed his face before leaning in. "...would I do this?"

I kissed his lips gently and softly, moving my lips as I sucked on his sensually.

At first, he stayed still, as if this kiss would be stolen if he rushed to take it.

But I persisted, hoping he would finally become reassured.

I could hear my heart beating in my ears and a feeling of uneasiness slowly creeping into my heart as he stayed still.

But all that melted away as soon as he kissed back, and the worry in his eyes faded.

He finally fell at ease.

I thought he wouldn’t kiss back. I thought he still wasn’t assured of my feelings, but it was all unnecessary worry.

"I won’t regret my decision and you’re more than capable of becoming my husband," I said as I pulled away from the kiss, panting softly. "Though I did get scared at first because it was my first time seeing a snake beastman," I caressed his face even more and then touched his ears— his human ears with soft lobes. "...the more I got to know you, the more I began to understand that even if you’re dangerous, you would never harm me because you like me a lot. Am I right? And I’m your spouse now, so our lives are bound." I laughed. "If anything, I should be worried that you’ll get tired of me first."

"Never!" He snapped, taking me by surprise.

He squeezed my arm a little too tightly as he said this and though it hurt, I did not show it.

It would do no good to let him know that he suddenly hurt me.

"If that’s the case then we have nothing to worry. We have our lives ahead of us, so let’s not waste them on uncertainty, okay?"

"Yes, Ari."

"Even if I have several other spouses, know that you have a special place in my heart," I said, touching my chest and blushing softly and he blushed as well.

That fact must make him happy.

Fenric stepped forward and then stood up to Damar.

They engaged in a glaring contest at first, and I thought they were going to start arguing again, thinking of ways to fix things when Fenric suddenly stretched out his hand, smiling.

"You’re very capable for a beastman and a spouse." He said. "Let’s work well together in the future. If not for anything else, but for Arinya. Let’s not worry her, okay?"

Hearing that, I felt at ease and looked at Damar, wondering how he would react.

Damar looked at his hand for a second and then nodded.

"Alright."

He did not say anything unnecessary but was able to make a promise of getting along with Fenric.

With this, we were finally able to settle the beef between us, even if it was just on the surface.

"Let’s get going now," Fenric said. "If we want to get the pelts fresh, we can’t let the squirrels be dead for too long."

"Ah, yes. You’re right."

We’ve almost spent the entire morning outside.

A lot of things happened, but thankfully, no fight broke out, and I was able to understand my husbands a little more. Both Fenric and Damar, and the kind of insecurities they’ve lived with.

I’d say it was a fruitful outing.