WORLD OF BEASTS: A Girl For The Beasts

Changing Clothes

Chapter 020: Changing Clothes

Anindira immediately stepped into the water—still wearing the clothes clinging to her body. The fabric she had worn for so long instantly became heavy once soaked, sticking to her skin in an uncomfortable way. But in an open place like this, there was no way she could take her clothes off.

Halvir, on the other hand, was different.

Without hesitation, the man removed all of his clothes and simply walked into the river. His movements were relaxed, as if water and his naked body were the most natural things in the world.

During their three months of traveling together, every night and every morning, Halvir had always appeared completely naked in front of Anindira. At first, the sight left her completely awkward and at a loss. But over time, that shock gradually faded away. Now, seeing Halvir without clothes no longer bothered her—it had become part of her everyday life.

Halvir emerged from the river with three large fish in his hands. Water dripped from his hair and shoulders, forming thin trails that ran down his skin. After finishing his bath and cleaning the fish, he climbed onto drier ground, placed the fish on broad leaves, and began gathering twigs for a campfire.

Anindira, who had also finished bathing, quickly followed him out.

"You're not changing your clothes?"

Halvir's tone sounded puzzled.

He looked at Anindira, who was still soaking wet, her old clothes torn in several places and looking even more worn after being drenched.

"Uhm... I'll do it later at home," Anindira answered softly, lowering her head. Her shoulders stiffened slightly, as if trying to hide her discomfort.

"Why wait until later?" Halvir frowned, his voice dropping into displeasure. "Did you forget to bring the clothes I gave you?" He stared at her more closely, scrutinizing her. "Do you not like them? I'll find you something else later—something more to your taste..."

His voice rose slightly, though he was clearly trying to keep it from sounding intimidating.

"Kak, sorry... No, that's not it." Anindira startled and immediately lifted her head. "Please forgive me. I didn't mean to offend you..." Anxiety showed on her face. "What you've given me is already more than enough. I'm truly grateful, and I sincerely mean that."

She paused and swallowed.

"It's just... Well... Here..." Her head lowered again. Her voice stumbled with embarrassment. She had received far too much today, and the feeling that she was burdening Halvir still weighed heavily on her chest.

"What is it?" Halvir softened his voice when he noticed her nervousness. "Come on, tell me." He emphasized the words. "I won't know if you stay silent."

Anindira took a deep breath.

"Um... Kak Halvir... It's just... There's nowhere to change clothes here. I... I'm not comfortable taking off my clothes in an open place," she finally admitted. Her face grew hot, and her cheeks flushed red.

The answer caught Halvir off guard.

And embarrassed him at the same time.

He fell silent, suddenly realizing something he should have remembered from the very beginning—Anindira was a woman.

He had simply become too comfortable around her. Living alone for more than forty years had made him forget certain boundaries. Anindira's presence had felt so natural, so free of distance, that his mind had overlooked the most basic differences. Besides, most women he had met in the past always seemed uncomfortable around him. As a result, he rarely interacted with them and often avoided them altogether, except for Ezra and Zia.

"No, that's... Forgive me, Anindira. I... completely forgot..."

Awkward.

It was a feeling he rarely experienced, yet now it was unmistakable. Though his face barely showed any change, his body moved quickly to cover his embarrassment.

Halvir immediately stood up, looked around, and then led Anindira behind a large tree with dense bushes growing behind it.

"Change your clothes here!" he ordered. "Don't worry, I'll stand guard right here!" He positioned himself directly in front of her.

"Here?!" Anindira frowned.

"Mm!" Halvir nodded firmly. "You'll get sick if you don't change out of those wet clothes immediately. Don't worry, I'll protect you."

The crease between Anindira's brows deepened. Her face soured, and her eyes widened slightly. She stared at Halvir before letting out an annoyed huff.

Halvir could clearly see her mood changing. Yet he remained relaxed—in his culture, Anindira belonged to him. It was a concept he had never questioned. Unfortunately, Anindira came from another world with entirely different boundaries.

"Why?!" Halvir asked, genuinely confused. "If you don't tell me, I won't know..."

"I will... I will change my clothes," Anindira replied sharply. "But why does Kak Halvir have to stay here?!"

"If I'm not here, how am I supposed to protect you?" Halvir answered innocently.

"AAHH!!" Anindira cried out in frustration. "You're so annoying!" She clenched her fists as her irritation peaked. "That means Kak Halvir will be the one looking at me?!"

"What's wrong with me seeing you?" Halvir asked flatly, not feeling guilty in the slightest.

Anindira was clearly in a terrible mood. Halvir realized that, but his pride as a man made him feel he had done nothing wrong.

"HA?!" Anindira was genuinely furious. "OF COURSE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT!!!"

Do I really have to spell it out that clearly?! she shouted inwardly. Why does this even need explaining?! Shouldn't he already know that women can't be NAKED IN PUBLIC?!

"What's wrong if I'm your guardian, Anindira?!" Halvir replied firmly.

"Huh?! What's a guardian?... What do you mean? What?..." Anindira's thoughts felt hot and tangled. She was already too irritated to continue the argument. Ah... Forget it...

"FINE!" Anindira snapped. She grabbed Halvir and physically turned him around so his back faced her. "Don't turn around until I give you permission, understand?!"

Halvir fell silent for a moment before nodding.

After that long argument, they finally sat facing each other in front of the campfire. The fish skewered on branches slowly sizzled above the embers, the scent of burning fat mixing with the smell of soil and evening leaves.

Anindira was now wearing one of Halvir's shirts.

On her small frame, it looked more like an oversized nightgown. The fabric was heavy and hung far too loosely. Every time she moved, the collar slipped down, exposing her shoulder. She kept pulling it back up with awkward motions, as if it would never quite fit.

"Sorry," Halvir said quietly.

His expression looked slightly gloomy as he watched her.

"Bear with it a little longer. I know it's uncomfortable... I'll prepare everything you need as soon as possible."

Anindira simply nodded.

A warm embarrassment lingered on her cheeks—and something else, something deeper. A feeling of being cornered, vulnerable.

If this had happened in her own world, she would have refused without hesitation. But here, in this strange and wild world, this was all she could do to survive.

Reluctantly, she learned to put on a brave face.

To accept.

To depend entirely on Halvir—someone who had originally been nothing more than a stranger.

Those three months of traveling through the forest had taught her lessons far harsher than anything she had ever imagined. No matter how strong she believed herself to be, she would not have survived even a single day alone in that place.

Their journey had never been smooth.

Wild beasts were always lurking, waiting for a moment of carelessness. Time and again, they were confronted by creatures ready to make them prey. There were nights when Halvir had to face packs of wild dogs and groups of wolves—and nearly every encounter ended with fresh wounds on his body.

Even if her older brothers were here, Anindira was not sure they would survive. The animals in this world were far larger than anything she had ever known. She had once seen a herd of Mammoths pass by. She had also witnessed a Sabertooth block their path—only to end up skinned by Halvir's own hands. Meanwhile, squirrels and rabbits had become one of their primary food sources during their time in the forest.

The more Anindira understood how harsh this world truly was, the more she realized one unavoidable truth.

She was tied to Halvir.

Over those three months, she had slowly begun to recognize the feelings growing inside her heart. The admiration she felt was not merely because of Halvir's strength, but also because of the way he carried himself—calm, dependable, and never once taking advantage of her vulnerability.

Countless times, Anindira had seen Halvir standing naked before her, and each time her heart had raced. Yet the man only touched her when it was absolutely necessary. Always for protection—never for taking.

It was precisely that attitude that unknowingly shaped something within Anindira's heart.

An admiration that slowly transformed into fascination, quietly burning beneath the dancing glow of the campfire at night.