The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 99: Ari, you’ve been through a lot today

"Give me your hands, Arinya," Fenric said and I turned to him.

We left the hut with no issues, and I felt even more satisfied, having spat at the face of that elder with words he couldn’t make a comeback with.

"What about my hands?" I asked, though bringing them forward.

Fenric took out a leather keg. Ah, it was more crude than the one I saw in movies but it was impressive given the times we were in.

It was like a water pouch.

"This is the water I got earlier."

I didn’t even know he successfully got the water in that commotion. I probably didn’t expect him to have something like a leather water pouch. Wait, did I expect him to come running back with water in his cupped hands?

I laughed softly and felt the water fall lightly on my hands.

"You touched the salt, so you must hate the feeling in your hands." He said as he began rinsing my hand gently. "With this, you won’t feel that way anymore."

I looked at him. He was very focused, as if he was polishing a very expensive porcelain and was being careful so it wouldn’t slip from his hold.

Seeing how focused he was, I couldn’t help but blush.

"There," he said and I nodded.

"Thank you," I said and he lifted his face to find mine reddened.

"What’s wrong with your face, Arinya?" He asked, acting clueless and I shook my head, equally acting clueless.

He may or may not know, but the little things he does, the way he pays attention, and all that make my heart race.

"I don’t know, it’s hot," I said, snatching the pouch from him. "This is the water you brought back for me to drink, right?"

"Yes," he answered, smiling knowingly and I just had to suspect that he knew why I was blushing.

"Thank you," I said, and gulped down until there was none left. The pouch wasn’t that big, and he already used half of it to wash my hands, so the one left didn’t amount to much. "How did you make this?" I asked, impressed by the neat work.

If we had several of these water pouches, we wouldn’t have to worry when going around dense places with no water source.

We have to get more of it.

"Do you want me to teach you that as well?" He asked, inching closer.

"Yes, I’d love that." If I can learn different skills from Fenric, I’d be grateful. That way, when I have a lot of free time, I can focus on making things that’ll make our lives better and not just stare at the birds all day.

But come to think of it, the snow tiger tribe and our tribe were close associates, so how is it that the snow tiger tribe was this advanced and hasn’t shared their crafting skills with our tribe?

Is this a matter of tribe pride?

One has to be better than the other, is that it?

I really don’t understand all of this but I don’t care anyway. They are all used to how they live now, and instead of embracing new technology, their snobbish personalities will make them question it until the one who introduces a better way of living gets discouraged and leaves.

Fenric leaned closer, his eyes glued on mine. I parted my lips, but then closed them, sucking on my bottom lip as I anticipated a kiss.

But that didn’t happen, because...

"Ahem," Damar cleared his throat and I threw my face aside. Guilty. "Ari, you’ve been through a lot today." He said, getting close and shoving Fenric aside.

"Hey!"

"You need to rest." He said and I gulped. There was something about that ’rest’ that made me uneasy. I was just overthinking it, right? "Let’s head back to your hut." He looked at me worriedly and affectionately.

"Y-yes, you’re right." My heart raced again. "Let’s head back to my cave."

My husbands know how to charm me and make my heart race without putting in any effort. That’s practically cheating, if I think about it, but I don’t hate it either so I’ll let them be the cheaters that make my heart leap whenever I look into their eyes and see the love they have for me.

But will my cave fit all three of us? I mean, it’s not that small but Damar’s tail is quite long and thick. There’ll be no room to move unless he coils himself.

I quickly shook my head.

We can figure something out. There’s no rush.

I smiled.

Just as we walked past, I caught a glimpse of Veyra peeking at us while gnashing her teeth.

Ah, she looked horrible with all those bruises, swollen lips, and eyebrows, and then the wrinkles that were forming because she was frowning so much.

The sight of her in such a pathetic situation, hiding so no one would see her ugly appearance, while I walked freely with my husbands, made me feel like I was walking on cloud nine.

I wasn’t too cruel to the point that I broke her bones, but I did something more cruel by destroying the face she was so proud of, though it was all temporary since once the swelling stops, she’ll be all pretty again.

I grinned and this made her head fume even more.

I looked away, not wanting to waste my time looking at her as she cursed at me. My eyes are meant to see pretty, handsome men, after all.

I had no idea what Veyra was thinking, and of course, I knew just how vicious she was, so I planned to keep Damar by my side for all the time I was stuck in this tribe.

If he went around alone, it would only be inviting trouble.

"Damar," I called, clutching his arm. "Have you eaten roasted meat before?" I asked and he shook his head. "Then you’re in for a treat." I turned to Fenric. "Can I trouble you to head back to your father’s hut and get some salt?"

"No problem," he happily said and headed out.

I wasn’t even done talking and he already bolted away.

"How am I going to set the fire?" I mumbled and then twisted my lips. "Well, he’s smart so he might think of that on his way. Let’s go Damar."