Chapter 39 - 039: First step
Anaria stepped out of the bathing area, still turning the System’s warning over in her mind.
Three weeks.
That was all the time she had to raise Kenai’s affection rate before she found out what punishment awaited her.
She frowned as she walked toward her room "Whatever happens, I have to make that affection rate move."
She reached her room and noticed how quiet the residence had become.
Anaria pushed the door open and it was empty... Rylan, Kai, and Kenai were nowhere inside "Did they all leave?"
Before she could wonder where they had gone, a servant appeared from the corridor "My lady, the village leader has prepared food for you."
Anaria blinked. "Food?"
The servant nodded. "Yes. He asked that you eat properly."
So Kenai had remembered to arrange food for her, probably they are all there waiting for her "Okay. Let’s go."
She followed the servant toward the dining area, where Rylan and Kai were already waiting.
Kai stood when he saw her "You took long enough."
Anaria rolled her eyes. "I was bathing, not fighting a war."
Rylan glanced at the food. "Kenai said you should eat."
She sat down and looked around "Where is he?"
Ryoan looked at her "He was called urgently"
"Alright, then we will wait for him" Ananria said
Minutes passed, but Kenai still didn’t appear.
Anaria stared at the empty seat "He’s still not here?"
Kai shrugged. "He’s the village leader. He probably has something to deal with."
"We can eat without him," Rylan added.
Anaria frowned, something felt off "Maybe he’s busy."
"Then let him be busy," Kai replied.
She narrowed her eyes at him before finally pushing her chair back "I’m going to find him."
Rylan looked up. "Anaria."
"What?"
"You don’t need to."
Kai nodded. "He can handle whatever he’s doing."
Anaria folded her arms "That’s not the point."
"Then what is the point?" Kai asked.
She sighed "We’re staying in his residence. He’s already done enough for us. The least we can do is cooperate instead of sitting here acting like little children."
Kai’s expression tightened. "We’re not acting like children."
"You are."
Rylan quickly looked away, hiding the small smile tugging at his mouth.
Anaria pointed at both of them "And don’t start arguing with me. I’m going to check on him."
She left before either could respond.
A servant was passing through the corridor, so Anaria stopped him "Where is Kenai?"
"The village leader is with the council."
"Is something wrong?"
"I don’t know, my lady. They have been discussing something for a while."
The council If Kenai faced a problem, she might offer help and if she helped, perhaps his affection would rise. "Where is the council room?"
The servant pointed down the corridor. She thanked him and walked on.
As she moved through the residence, she became more aware of the slight heaviness in her body.
Her pregnancy was still early, but she could already feel subtle changes.
"Easy," she muttered. "I don’t need to fall before I even reach him."
The council room finally came into view, voices drifted through the closed doors.
Ananria knocked
The conversation stopped immediately, she opened the door.
Every head turned toward her.
Kenai’s eyes widened "Little fox?"
Anaria smiled faintly "Hi. I came to see what was taking you so long."
Kenai recovered first "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you. You didn’t come to eat."
His gaze immediately swept over her "You came here alone?"
"Yes."
"Why didn’t you bring Rylan and Kai?"
"I told them to stay behind."
One of the council members frowned "You were already granted your freedom. Why are you still here?"
Anaria’s smile disappeared "Does me being here stop you from doing your work?"
The beastman opened his mouth, but she continued "If I’m disturbing anything, just say so."
Another council member glanced at her "She certainly seems bolder than before."
Anaria’s eyes narrowed "What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Then don’t whisper about me."
Kenai’s lips twitched "Enough."
The room fell silent.
Anaria looked at him "Thank you."
She walked closer to the council table.
She walked closer. As she passed one council member, he paused, nostrils flaring. Another noticed. "What?"
The first looked at Anaria, then at Kenai. "Do you smell that?"
She frowned. "Smell what?"
No one answered. She scanned the room. "If you have something to say, say it. I don’t bite."
One council member finally spoke, his voice cautious. "Her scent has changed."
Her brows drew together. "What does that mean?"
Before he could elaborate, Kenai cut through. "Enough." His tone left no room for argument. The council member lowered his head. Kenai looked at her. "Don’t worry about them."
Anaria studied him before nodding "Fine."
She looked around the room "So, what are you all discussing?"
Kenai hesitated "A village matter."
"That’s obvious. What’s the problem?"
A council member scowled. "This isn’t something you need to involve yourself in."
She shot back, "Then why do you all look like someone just stole your food?"
Silence. Kenai sighed. "Anaria."
"What?"
"You don’t need to worry."
She stared him down. "Maybe I don’t. But I might be able to help."
His eyes softened, just slightly. "You’ve already done enough."
"I decide when I’ve done enough."
The council member protested again. "Leader, she shouldn’t be involved in council affairs."
Kenai’s expression hardened. "She is the mother of my child. You will show her respect."
Anaria froze even the council froze. Even Kenai seemed caught off guard by his own words. She slowly turned to him. "Mother of your child?"
He met her gaze. "Yes."
Something stirred in her chest, an unfamiliar, warm. She looked away quickly. "Well... thank you."
He gave a small nod.
She moved closer to the table. "Now tell me what’s bothering you."
He studied her a long moment, then relented. "The council is trying to decide how to manage the food reserves."
Her attention sharpened. "The reserves?"
"Your preservation system has saved more food than before. But that’s created another problem."
"What problem?"
"The council can’t agree on how much to distribute now and how much to keep for emergencies."
She looked at the gathered beastmen. "So you’re arguing over whether to use the food you’ve finally learned to save?"
One sighed heavily. "It’s not that simple."
"It sounds pretty simple to me."
Kenai glanced at her. "That’s why I wanted to discuss it carefully."
She smiled faintly. "Then let me hear both sides."
He hesitated. "You should rest."
"I’m pregnant, not helpless."
The council members exchanged uneasy looks. She ignored them. "Tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help."
Kenai watched her for a long, weighing moment. Then he nodded. "Fine."
Anaria pulled out a nearby chair and sat down at the council table, settling in like she belonged. "Good. Let’s solve this."