WORLD OF BEASTS: A Girl For The Beasts

A Fractured Togetherness

Chapter 026: A Fractured Togetherness

Silence hung between them after the conversation about vegetables had come up, in front of the campfire that continued to burn softly. No words were spoken. Only the crackling of burning wood and, occasionally, the hiss of meat as fat dripped onto the embers.

Some time later, the meat was finally cooked.

Halvir tore off a thigh—the most tender part—shredded it into smaller pieces, then placed it on a broad leaf and held it out to Anindira.

That simple action broke the silence.

Without saying a single word, Halvir was the first to give in.

"See..." Anindira murmured inwardly. "He still gives me the part I like. He even shredded it first so it'd be easier for me to eat..."

Her chest felt lighter.

Kak Halvir still cares about me.

Anindira quickly accepted it. A small smile bloomed on her lips as relief slowly seeped through her. The worry that Halvir had been angry with her ever since their last conversation immediately faded away.

As usual, Anindira pinched off a small piece of meat, wrapped it in a leaf, and ate it slowly.

"Ah!"

She suddenly remembered something. Her gaze drifted toward the two massive animals hanging not far from them. A faint, low neigh echoed through the air.

"Kak," she said while still chewing, "I've been wanting to ask... are you really that hungry?"

Now that Halvir's attitude had clearly softened, she dared to start another conversation.

"Why?"

Halvir answered briefly, still chewing the meat in his hand without looking at her.

"You hunted two huge tigers," Anindira replied, glancing toward them. "And... they're still alive. What are you going to do with them? Keep them as pets?"

Halvir paused.

"You want to keep them?!"

"Don't joke around." Anindira snorted softly. "Why would I keep two animals that would turn me into food the first chance they got?"

"Hm."

Halvir grinned at that straightforward answer. That was precisely what he liked about Anindira—even without the influence of the Imprint.

"I happened to find them," he said casually. "They were fighting over a female in heat."

The meat they were eating now came from a mountain goat. Meanwhile, the two male sabertooths had been left alive, suspended with bark-rope restraints that weakened their movements.

"And then?!" Anindira pressed, since that answer still hadn't explained anything.

"I'm going to trade them for some pottery. They need to stay fresh if I want a good exchange value."

"Pot-ter-y... what's that, Kak?"

Anindira frowned. The term was completely unfamiliar to her.

"I can't show you right now. I don't have any with me," Halvir replied. "You'll see it after I get some. I'll also have clothes made for you."

"Clothes?!"

Anindira's face immediately lit up.

"Kak Halvir, can you sew?"

"No!"

Halvir answered firmly.

"I don't know how to sew."

"Then?" Anindira tilted her head doubtfully. "I don't know how to sew either..."

"I'm not asking you to sew," Halvir interrupted. "I'm going to the Lion Kingdom. There are many Herbivore Clans there. We provide the materials, and they do the sewing. Their payment can be *Amber, meat, animal hides—whatever they need."

"Oh... I see."

Anindira smiled again.

"How long does it take to get to the Lion Kingdom?"

"Six days. A round trip will take at least two weeks."

"Wow... that's a long time," Anindira murmured. "Is it very far? Wouldn't it be troublesome to bring me and those two giant tigers along?"

"I'm not taking you with me!"

Halvir's tone was firm and without hesitation.

Anindira immediately stopped eating.

She turned toward Halvir, her face turning pale. The smile on her lips vanished instantly.

Thump.

Halvir's heart dropped at the sight of that expression.

"Dira?!"

"Kak Halvir..." Anindira's voice trembled. "You're going to leave me? Here... all alone?!"

"Dira, what's wrong?"

Halvir stepped half a pace closer.

"Your eyes are filling with tears... are you sad?"

"You're asking that now?!"

The campfire continued to burn, but the warmth of that morning suddenly felt fragile—as though a single word could make everything collapse.

"Kak..."

Anindira's voice shook.

"I promise I'll try harder. I'll try not to be a burden to you. But please... don't leave me here alone!"

Her face was pleading, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at Halvir. She made no effort to hide her desperation.

"It's not like that, Dira!"

Halvir responded quickly, clearly bewildered by her reaction.

"You've never been a burden to me. Why would you think that?"

He paused briefly before continuing.

"I've been planning this for a long time. Since the day I brought you out of the *Forbidden Forest."

"But Kak Halvir never talked to me about it!"

"How could I talk about it... when it's embarrassing..."

"What's embarrassing about it?!"

Anindira's voice rose, trembling violently as tears she could no longer hold back spilled over.

"Dira, don't look at me like that."

Halvir spoke softly.

His gaze was gentle. His large hand rose and carefully stroked her head.

"I'm an i***t. I made a mistake. I've been too careless... and I regret it deeply now," he continued, his voice trembling. "Honestly, I never imagined this situation would happen to me. That's why I prepared nothing."

Halvir's face appeared calm, but disappointment and regret were hidden beneath his voice.

"Dira, you've seen it yourself," he continued slowly. "There are almost no things in my home that can support your life as a woman."

"Kak Halvir knows that's not a big problem for me," Anindira replied quickly. "For three months, I lived without using any of those things you think are important."

"That's different, Dira!"

Halvir's tone sharpened, his gaze becoming stern.

The outburst silenced Anindira.

The tears that had been hanging in her eyes finally slid down her cheeks.

"Dira, forgive me!"

Halvir immediately said in panic.

He wiped away her tears with his fingers.

"I didn't mean to yell at you. Please... listen to me. Don't cry..."

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before continuing.

"Three months ago is different from the next two months. The rainy season will arrive soon. After that comes winter. You won't survive relying only on what I have now."

"What do you mean, Kak?" Anindira asked softly. "Is taking care of me really that difficult?"

"Dira, stop being stubborn!"

Halvir's voice rose again.

His frustration was obvious.

And just like before, it brought fresh tears streaming down Anindira's face.

"Dira..."

Halvir called out through clenched restraint.

Annoyed, yet unable to truly be angry.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

"Dira, listen to me. I'll explain it one more time. Please pay close attention."

"If the journey we made over those three months had happened during the rainy season, you would've survived at most one month. And if it had been winter... your chances of staying alive would've been very slim."

"But Kak Halvir was with me!"

"You already forgot what you said last night?!"

With swollen eyes, Anindira stared at him in confusion.

"Forgetful."

Halvir snorted, this time with a faint smile.

He wiped the mucus from Anindira's nose.

"It was only last night, and you've already forgotten."

"What?" Anindira's voice was hoarse. She paid no attention to Halvir cleaning her face.

"I may be strong, but I can't live alone. That's true, Anindira," Halvir said seriously. "Especially if I have to take care of a woman. I can't do it by myself. I need help, Dira."

"But does it have to be now?" Anindira sobbed. "I've only been here for two days..."

"Dira, weren't you listening to me?!"

Halvir's tone became firm again.

"Summer is the season for gathering supplies. Hunting, preserving meat, drying and tanning hides. During winter, dried meat becomes food stock. Tanned hides become blankets. And most importantly—*Amber."

He paused and looked deeply into her eyes.

"I may have hides. I may have blankets. But without *Amber, women will suffer greatly. I have enough blankets, but I don't have enough food stock. And the *Amber I possess isn't enough for our needs."

For a *Sapphire, admitting helplessness was humiliating.

But Halvir had no choice except to be honest.

"Be patient a little longer, Dira," he pleaded again. "The rainy season is coming soon. Once it arrives, we won't be able to preserve meat or tan hides."

Halvir could clearly see the fear in Anindira's eyes.

He knew she was terrified of being abandoned.

That was why he continued to explain his limitations as patiently and calmly as possible.

Anindira looked at him anxiously.

She listened to every word, trying to understand even though there were many things she still didn't comprehend. Yet the sadness caused by the possibility of being left behind made her unwilling to ask further questions.

She simply remained silent, holding her feelings inside.

For nearly twenty-four hours a day throughout those three months, Halvir and Anindira had always been together.

Because of that, being separated from him in such a strange world felt unbearably difficult for Anindira.

She was not ready at all.

Yet after hearing Halvir's explanation, she no longer dared to reveal just how afraid she was of being abandoned.

"I'll hand over three of my *Amber to the Village Chief," Halvir said. "I'll leave you in his care for two weeks. I can't take you with me."

Halvir looked at Anindira seriously before continuing.

"If I travel alone, I can still pick up additional prey along the way. Besides, I'll move much faster. If I bring you with me, the journey to the Lion Kingdom could take two weeks—or even longer. Once I've paid the sewing fees and delivered the materials there, I'll return immediately. Then I'll take you with me to collect the things I ordered."

Halvir continued explaining calmly, trying to comfort Anindira despite her lingering disappointment.

"Ehm..."

Anindira nodded weakly.

"Okay," she added softly, lowering her head. Her appetite had vanished the moment she set her food aside.

"Kak, why the Village Chief?"

Her voice sounded uneasy.

In her mind, a village chief was an old, rigid, old-fashioned man.

"Why not Kak Hans?"

She felt much more comfortable with someone she already knew.

"Why Hans?"

Halvir asked, his tone suddenly serious.

"So it really is true... you like him?"

Halvir's expression darkened with irritation.

"Of course I like him," Anindira answered innocently. "He's kind, and Kak Halvir trusts him too."

She was completely unaware of Halvir's jealousy.

"Even so, he's still not suitable," Halvir said firmly. "Besides, he's not capable enough."

"Is taking care of me really that difficult?!"

"i***t, that's not what I mean."

Halvir replied through restrained irritation.

"Hans is still single. That's the reason. The Village Chief already has a mate. Besides, he's an *Amethyst. Ruvi helps him as well. That's why the Village Chief is two ranks higher than Hans when it comes to protecting you."

Halvir explained at length, even though he knew Anindira still didn't fully understand what he meant.

"Hans is only a *Diamond," he continued. "He doesn't have enough ability to protect you. There are too many unmarried young men ranked higher than him."

Anindira frowned, still unconvinced.

"Hmm...? Does it really have to be that way?"

Halvir nodded seriously.

"Alright," Anindira finally said. "I'll do as you say if it helps put your mind at ease."

She surrendered, forced to accept the situation.

"The Village Chief has a daughter about your age," Halvir said as he lifted Anindira off his lap.

"Really?!"

Anindira's voice immediately brightened.

Hope appeared in her eyes—at least she would not have to face strangers completely alone.

"Eum."

Halvir nodded with a smile.

"You can become friends with her."

Seeing Anindira's smile slowly return, Halvir smiled in relief as well.