CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER-234.

After changing, Kaya stepped out of the bathroom, now dressed in a soft pink shirt and brown pants. She glanced down at herself, frowning a little. The color... she couldn’t figure out what kind of dye they used here, but it was beautiful. Not a loud, flashy pink—just a gentle baby pink. It looked almost... cute.

She ruffled her short hair with her fingers, deciding not to bother with the wooden comb lying on the table. It wasn’t bad, but with her hair cut short, she didn’t really need it.

As she reached the doorway, something caught her eye—a pair of women’s shoes sitting neatly outside. Kaya paused. They looked almost identical to hers, same design, same size... except these were different. The leather looked pure, rich, unlike her mixed-plastic ones. She picked them up and examined them.

The soles weren’t made of rubber or plastic like hers but wood, slightly raised to give height. At first she thought wood might be slippery, but then she noticed the carefully carved patterns at the bottom, meant to stop slipping.

Curious, she slipped her feet inside.

They fit perfectly. As if someone had made them just for her.

Just as Kaya slipped her feet fully into the shoes and took two steps forward, a familiar voice interrupted her.

"Oh? How do they feel?"

Kaya’s head snapped up. Veer was standing a few feet away, right in the middle of some people, waving at her like a fool. Heat crept up her cheeks before she could stop it.

"Idiot". She muttered under her breath and walked toward him.

Veer rushed over eagerly. "So? How is it?"

Kaya glanced down at his own shoes, then back at hers. "...It’s good," she said simply.

"Of course it is," Veer grinned. "After all, I made it."

Kaya froze. "...What?"

"I said, I made it," Veer repeated, smug but casual, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

She blinked at him, completely dumbfounded. "You... made this?" She pointed at the shoes, disbelief clear in her eyes.

He nodded without hesitation. "Mm. Of course I did."

Kaya stared at him, her brows furrowed. He was just sick yesterday—barely able to stand—and today he’d supposedly made a pair of shoes? And not just shoes, but ones that fit her perfectly, down to every curve.

How the hell...?

Veer caught the look on her face and smirked, as if he’d read her thoughts.

"Excuse me, I didn’t whip these up overnight. I actually started making them back in winter, before I left this place. They weren’t finished then—I was in a rush—so I left them behind. I just completed them this morning."

Kaya glanced back down at the shoes, taking a closer look. Now that he mentioned it, she could see the uneven stitches, the tiny flaws here and there. Definitely the work of a rookie.

Still... they fit perfectly.

She lifted her chin and muttered, "It’s nice."

Veer let out an exaggerated sigh. "Nice? That’s it? Can’t you at least say ’perfect’? You’re so stingy with compliments, sweetheart."

Kaya rolled her eyes, turned her shoulder, and started walking forward as if he hadn’t said a word.

Veer followed right beside her, smiling like he had all the time in the world.

"Honey, where do you want to go? Let me show you my area."

Before Kaya could answer, his arm slipped around her waist and—just like that—he lifted her into the air. The sudden rush of wind stole her breath as he carried her above the village, pointing things out with a cheerful voice.

"You see that? That’s the cave entrance. Over there—that’s..."

His words faded into the background as Kaya’s eyes wandered over the mountain. It really was beautiful. The stone walls glittered faintly under the sun, and below, children ran freely, laughing. Their tiny wings fluttered awkwardly, still too new to control. It was almost... cute.

A faint smile touched Kaya’s lips before reality settled back in.

The people.

Unlike the wolf tribe, where everyone had been warm and welcoming, here was the complete opposite. Not a single person dared approach her. The hatred in their eyes was sharp, unhidden, like a warning. Maybe it was because they believed she’d hurt Veer. Or maybe just because Veer had chosen her. Whatever the reason, she could feel their rejection with every stare.

Only Veer and his elder brother spoke to her. No one else. And Veer’s father... whenever his gaze fell on her, it was filled with the kind of hostility that made her skin crawl—like at any moment, he might devour her whole.

Kaya hadn’t expected that right after the cold, rain would come. It was nothing like the seasons in her own world. Back home it was predictable—cold, then summer, then the rainy season, then back to cold again, with spring and autumn quietly in between. But here... it was completely different.

The chill had barely lifted when the sky opened up. Heavy rain poured down, echoing through the mountains, and Kaya found herself stuck inside the cave. There was no way she could step out in weather like this.

She sat near the entrance, watching the rain fall like silver threads against the dark stone. It almost looked like a scene out of a movie. Almost. If only there was tea. Or snacks. Something warm and familiar. But no—here the options were the same as always: fruits, jerky, or boiled soup. Kaya sighed, already sick of it all.

Suddenly, a familiar yet oddly different aroma drifted into her nostrils, tugging at her attention. She turned, following the scent that seemed to be wafting from inside. Moments later, Veer stepped out, balancing a platter in his hands. It wasn’t just roasted chicken—it was barbecue chicken, its smoky fragrance mingling with the air, rich and mouthwatering.

And on the side was a small bowl of vibrant green sauce. With a casual ease, he placed the platter down and gestured toward it.

"Here," he said, a hint of pride in his tone. "Try this chicken—Veer’s own secret spice blend."