The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 69: Why is it not safe?

"Did you accept a snake as your spouse?"

My finger curled around the scales, my heart racing, and my eyes unsteadily searching for ways to answer.

I knew it would be discovered at some point, but I didn’t think it would be this soon. And I absolutely didn’t expect the one to discover it to be the old bear beastman.

What do I say? What do I do?

There was no way to deny it because judging by the way he glared, he was already certain that these scales belonged to a snake.

And he was aware of the snake’s custom of digging out their precious scale and giving it to the female they adored.

I felt panicked.

Will he report me for having a snake beastman as my spouse?

"Arinya, was it?" He called and my body trembled. "Don’t overreact."

How does he expect me not to overreact when he looks at me with such a serious and cold gaze? I could feel murderous intent. MURDEROUS INTENT!

That’s enough for me to imagine him ripping me apart just for agreeing to be a snake’s spouse.

"Who you take as your spouse has nothing to do with me." He said and the panic paused. Wait, what? "But I need to make one thing clear." He got serious again. "Were you forced into it?"

"What?"

"Snakes are vicious and it’s very common for them to kidnap females and then threaten them into being their spouse." He said, folding his arms. "If a snake man had forced you into this, the daughter of the chief, then it’s not a small matter."

My heart was racing. It was leaping, in fact.

He had the wrong idea.

"Nothing like that," I said. "Damar did no such thing to me. I like him a lot and he respects me. He’s done more for me than any male in this tribe, so it’s understandable that I would accept being his spouse."

Ops, did I say too much?

But I don’t say this much, he might think I’m being threatened and might even report this.

If he’s going to let me be after confirming I wasn’t forced then this is the only way.

"Are you certain of what you’re saying?" He asked, observing me carefully. I nodded my head.

"Yes, of course."

"Then, if you claim to have accepted him of your own will, that means you let him mark you, right?" He asked and once again, I nodded.

I watched him furrow. He still seemed uncertain.

Would it all go away if I showed him the mark on my neck?

No, let’s not be too hasty. Let’s see what he’s getting at right now.

"It’s not safe." He suddenly said. "It’s not safe to have a snake beastman as your spouse, daughter of the chief."

"Why is it not safe? Is it because he’s a feral beastman?" I asked. "Or is it just because he’s a snake?"

"Both!" He answered, causing my breath to hitch at the back of my throat.

Everyone keeps saying that snakes are dangerous and that they shouldn’t be socialized with.

Everyone keeps seeing only the bad side and not the side that shows their loneliness and heavy shoulders.

Sure, they’re dangerous, but aren’t we all?

They hunt and we hunt.

I’m sure the reason they hunt fellow beastmen is that they get hunted first. Since they are dangerous, the ones who see them want to capture or kill them.

The snakes have no choice but to act in self-defense.

Is that so bad?

I squeezed my fists, my heart raging and my eyes shaking.

I don’t like what everyone keeps saying.

And I don’t want to listen to it any longer.

"Damar is a beastman," I said, standing to my feet. "And he is my husband now. I will not listen to any criticism against him."

Even if he killed a bunch of people, I don’t care. I will let my affection for him blind my eyes to his past deeds.

But for his deeds going forward, I will watch closely and help him so he does not stray any further.

"This mark is proof," I said, pushing my hair back and showing the curled-up white snake on my neck.

Harok saw this and then lowered his head.

"I don’t intend to interfere and if you’re confident you can keep that snake on a leash then—"

"You’re wrong!" I boldly interrupted him. "I’m not keeping anyone on a leash. He... Is my husband. Not my pet!"

Harok looked into my cold determined eyes and had to admit he had no more say in this.

He had to back off.

"Alright, daughter of the chief, Arinya. I can tell you’re not weak and are a great judge of character. So, if you’re defending your spouse this much, despite knowing everyone else thinks differently about him then... You have my respect." He said, which took me by surprise.

I thought he’d get angry that I raised my voice at him or that I interrupted him.

He’s just taking it as it is and isn’t even angry. Instead... He finds me admirable?

I’ll take it as a compliment.

"Then, does this mean you won’t report it?" I asked, sitting back down like an obedient kitten.

"I won’t. It’s not my job to pry." He said, shaking his head. "But know that no secret remains hidden. If you plan to keep a snake as your spouse then it will surely be revealed one day. And when that day comes, I hope you can defend him just as you did right now."

"I will." I confidently said, my eyes shimming. "I won’t let anyone say shit about my husband."

"Good, good. Then, let’s get back to the production talk." He said and I nodded. "That scale. It’s very hard. And it’s also sharp. Though, it doesn’t cut unilaterally, meaning it won’t cut you just by having it around your neck or holding it, but it can be used as a good rock carving instrument."

"It’s that strong?" I asked, looking at the scale.

"Yes. So, the only ones who know how to string these scales are the ones who own them. The snakes." He said.

Ah, so that’s how he knows that I got this from a snake beastman.

"I just need one of those scales." He said and I paused. "I’ll return it once the job is done."