Everyone waited for my response. They wondered what I would say.
I was planning to use my Ace card in case things went out of hand and they planned to expel , but thanks to Kaelor’s intervention, it looks like I won’t get expelled, and instead, I was scouted into another tribe.
It was clear that I would choose to go to the Chrysthorn tribe since I had been treated far too poorly in this tribe, but they wanted to hear it from directly.
Still, the words I said next, no one expected them.
"Sorry, but I’ll have to decline," I said and he froze. Yeah, he didn’t expect that.
"Why? May I ask?"
I know that the reason he wants to co to his tribe isn’t simply because he pities my situation. He envies my knowledge and would love to have help develop their tribe and make life better.
Not only that, I see how he makes gazes at , which sotis makes wonder if he has eyes on .
Anyway, even if I am loved to the fullest there and my capabilities would be appreciated, I can’t go to their tribe. And that’s because...
"It’s freaking cold all year round."
Yeah, with an endless winter on that mountain top, how am I supposed to survive?
I’ll freeze before I’m able to complete a month there.
"Ah, so you don’t like the cold?" He asked and I shook my head.
"Yes. And also..." I looked at Fenric. "I plan to travel the world, so I won’t be bound to any tribe. But if anyone asks what tribe I belong to..." I glanced at my father. "I don’t think I can boldly raise my head and call the Stormhole."
This made them begin to mumble, cussing at stupidly.
"How can she be so ungrateful?"
"After being raised in this tribe, she can’t proudly call our tribe na?"
"I knew she was..."
"Oh give it a rest!" I yelled at them. "I hate all of you. What raised? I went to find my own food most of the ti. And because I went to find my own food, you all said I was so unfeminine and sneered at , laughed at ," my fist trembled. "I learned to live just right without any of your help so why are you yapping?" I stomped my feet on the ground, expressing just how angry I was. "Why are you so insufferable and so stupid? I can’t wait to be out of this tribe."
I breathed heavily and then Fenric laughed.
"You heard that?" He asked, his arms folded. "Very soon, you won’t have the villain Arinya in your tribe any longer so," he glared at them, a very great contrast with the word he said after, "...rejoice."
His gaze threatened them, making them uncomfortable.
I thought it would end there.
Veyra could no longer speak against since no matter what she said, there was soone to counter her, and a few folks were already wondering about her character, if it was true that she had been plotting against while acting like the victim.
As Chief Kasa said, the rabbit that goes to trouble the wolf, knowing the wolf would try to harm it, was clearly intentionally looking for trouble.
Those weren’t his exact words but it was a fine interpretation.
My dumb brothers had their heads down and could not show their faces, having been hit by a female they always bullied.
And then Kaelor... He could not look my way.
Even if he had done this, he knew it could not atone for what he hadn’t done for over the years and then this day too... How he had tried to kiss without asking for what I wanted.
If I had cleared my mind in the ti he was away or if I still longed for him as I did in the past.
But that longing only stemd from loneliness and I’m no longer lonely. He should understand that now and know that his mistake was far too grave.
Okay, this should be settled.
But just as I thought I could turn around, go to my cave, and catch up on my sleep, my father stepped up.
He looked down at .
I wondered if he wanted to apologize.
He had disappointed last night by listening to Veyra, but not this ti. He did not blindly listen to her words and point fingers at .
Still, that was not enough to atone.
My family—the ones who had an ounce of conscience and wanted to make up with —had a lot to atone for.
"Arinya," he called and then looked up at Damar. "Is it true that you have a relationship with this snake beastman?" he asked.
I went silent, my expression falling calmly until there was no trace of what I was thinking or feeling on my face.
Was he going to make a big deal out of it just like Kaelor did?
"Yes," I said. "This snake beastman, his na is Damar and he is my spouse."
I could hear my father’s grip tighten as he clenched his big fists.
"Did he force you?"
I understand his concern. Even if he had never paid attention to , I was still his child. And it was even more so that he did not pay attention to that made him more worried.
What if I had been kidnapped without anyone knowing? What if his attitude towards had caused to pass through a horrific experience?
What if his neglect had made prey to a snake and I entered a bond I did not want?
"No, he did not," I answered cleanly. "Damar proposed to be my spouse," I said. "But I did not accept right away. Damar gave ti to think it through and I did. I accepted him as my spouse after thinking about it so I will not regret my decision. I plan to commit to this relationship," I held Fenric and Damar’s hands. "As well as every relationship I plan to enter from now on. I... Am not a child and can make my own decisions."
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