Chapter 38 - 038: Dear Anaria
Anaria’s wish had finally come true.
She had slept through the entire night without a single task or warning disturbing her. For once, the System had left her alone, unfortunately, her back had other plans.
Anaria slowly opened her eyes and shifted beneath the blanket. A dull ache spread across her lower back, making her frown as she sat up and rubbed the sore spot.
Then she looked around.... Three men were in her room...
Rylan was arranging things near the table, Kai was sorting through her new belongings, and Kenai stood nearby.
Anaria stared at them in confusion "What were they doing here?, more importantly, why did her room look completely different?"
It had been cleaned, her few belongings neatly arranged, breakfast was already waiting, and a fresh set of clothes had been placed beside her bed.
Before she could ask, Kai turned and noticed she was awake.
His face immediately brightened "She’s awake."
Rylan and Kenai turned toward her.
Kai quickly walked over. "How are you feeling?"
Anaria blinked. "Fine."
Before she could say anything else, Kenai called one of the servants inside.
"Prepare a bath for Little Fox. Make sure the water isn’t too hot."
Anaria’s brows lifted... She looked at Kenai "What is happening?"
Rylan answered first. "We wanted to make sure you were alright."
"We didn’t want you stressing yourself," Kenai added.
He sat beside her, his hand gently settling over her stomach.
"How are you feeling? Is everything alright with you and the cub?"
Anaria glanced down before nodding "Yes. We’re fine."
She tried to get out of bed, but a sharp ache pulled through her back, making her wince.
All three men reacted immediately.
"What happened?" Kai asked.
"Are you hurting?" Kenai asked.
Rylan stepped closer.
"It’s just my back. Nothing serious," Anaria assured them.
"Were you trying to reach for something?" Kai asked.
"My pillow."
"I’ll get it."
He quickly grabbed the pillow and placed it behind her back.
"Thank you." Anaria glanced between them. "Can you all leave me alone for a while?"
Kenai shook his head. "Not right now."
"Why?"
"We need to make sure you’re alright."
Anaria sighed. "Are you three planning to revolve around me like I’m some fragile egg?"
"Yes," Rylan answered without hesitation.
Anaria stared at him.
"Unless someone is too busy with work," Rylan added, his eyes shifting toward Kenai.
Kenai immediately understood. "I have nothing to do today."
Anaria raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"
"Today is about you."
A small smile tugged at Anaria’s lips.
She had spent her time dealing with the System and one problem after another. Now, for once, she had three men fussing over her... Maybe she could live with that, Anaria carefully stood again.
Kai immediately reached for her arm. "Where are you going?"
"I need to bathe."
"You can’t walk alone."
"I can walk."
Rylan sighed. "Let us help you."
"All three of you?"
They looked at her... "Absolutely not," she said quickly. "One person."
She glanced between them, noticing the faint hope in their expressions. Anaria almost laughed before pointing at Rylan.
"You."
Rylan smiled... Kai looked away while Kenai watched with quiet amusement.
Rylan carefully lifted Anaria into his arms "We’ll be back soon," he told them before carrying her out. He carried her through the quiet residence, his arms firm beneath her knees and back.
Anaria rested an arm around his neck."You know, I can actually walk."
"I know."
"Then why are you carrying me?"
"Your back hurts." She opened her mouth, then decided not to argue.
The bathing room was already prepared. Warm steam filled the room, and the wooden bath was filled with clean water and fragrant leaves.
Rylan carefully lowered her into the water before stepping back.
Anaria sighed in relief as the warmth eased her aching body.
Rylan remained nearby "What?"
"I’m making sure you don’t need anything."
"Rylan."
"Yes?"
"You’re staring."
"I’m standing."
"You’re standing and staring."
He looked completely unbothered. "Call it whatever you want."
Anaria shook her head with a helpless smile."You should go meet the others. They might need you."
"They can handle themselves."
"And you?"
"I want to stay."
She stared at him for a moment before pointing toward the door "Out."
Rylan’s lips twitched before he finally turned toward the entrance. "If you need anything, call my name. Don’t try doing it yourself."
Anaria waved him away. "Yes, yes. Go."
The door closed behind him, leaving her alone.
Anaria leaned against the edge of the bath and released a long breath "This feels nice."
No screaming husbands, No tribe problems, No missions.... Just warm water.
She closed her eyes before suddenly remembering something. "System."
A fox like system chime echoed inside her mind.
[Good morning, Host.]
Anaria immediately opened one eye.
"Was wondering what happened to you?."
[The Host requested one peaceful night.]
A pleased smile appeared on her lips "See? You actually listen sometimes."
[Do not become overly confident.]
"There it is." She rolled her eyes "Bring out all the remaining beauty products."
[Before that, the System requests a health assessment.]
Anaria looked down at her stomach "I’m alright. My back aches a little, but nothing unbearable."
[What about the cub?]
"How am I supposed to know? It’s barely developed."
[The Host is instructed to answer based on current physical condition.]
"Then we’re both fine."
[Assessment completed.]
Several familiar bottles immediately appeared beside the bath.
Anaria’s eyes brightened "There we go."
She eagerly reached for them.
One by one, she used every product she had been saving since arriving in the beast world...A fragrant cleanser, Hair treatment, Skin cream, Body oil.
For nearly half an hour, Anaria forgot she was even inside a prehistoric beast world...She simply enjoyed herself.
When she finally washed everything off, she reached toward the water and caught sight of her reflection.
She froze.
Her skin looked noticeably clearer. The tiredness that usually lingered around her face had faded. Her pores looked smoother, her cheeks carried a healthy glow, and even her hair seemed softer and shinier beneath the morning light.
Anaria slowly touched her cheek "Oh my God." She turned her face slightly "No way."
She admired herself shamelessly for another few seconds before grinning "Gwadd... I look really good."
[Pregnancy hormones have accelerated blood circulation and improved the Host’s temporary physical appearance.]
Anaria leaned back proudly "How I wish I got pregnant sooner." She flipped a strand of shining hair behind her shoulder "Look at me."
The System remained silent.
Anaria smiled smugly at her reflection, then another chime sounded.
[New Main Objective unlocked.]
Her smile disappeared"Oh, come on."
[Increase the Tribe Leader’s Affection Rate to Moderate Level.]
A transparent panel appeared before her eyes.
[Tribe Leader: Kenai.]
[Current Affection Rate: 10%.]
[Required Affection Rate: 50%.]
Anaria blinked repeatedly "Ten percent?"
[Correct.]
She frowned "But I’m carrying his child."
[Pregnancy increased the Tribe Leader’s protective instincts and attachment toward the Host. It did not automatically increase genuine affection.]
Anaria rested her chin on the edge of the bath "So basically, he cares because I’m carrying his cub."
[Kinda of.]
"But he doesn’t necessarily like me."
[Correct.]
She sighed "Fair enough."
Another notification appeared.
[The affection rate must increase during the pregnancy period.]
[This will aid their compatibility during their official mating session]
Anaria nodded slowly "Alright. That still gives me plenty of time."
She counted mentally."Nine months was more than enough, surely getting someone from ten percent to fifty percent wouldn’t be impossible"
The System interrupted her thoughts.
[Correction.]
Anaria frowned "What now?"
[Beast-world pregnancy does not last nine months.]
Her entire body stiffened "...Excuse me?"
[Average beast pregnancy duration: three weeks.]
The bathing room became completely silent.
Anaria slowly lifted three fingers from the water "Three..."
[Correct.]
"Weeks?"
[Correct.]
Her jaw dropped You mean I have only three weeks to give birth and finish the task?"
[Yes.]
"But my hormones are already changing this much?"
[Beast pregnancies develop significantly faster than human pregnancies. The cub will rapidly draw nutrients and energy from the Host.]
Anaria stared blankly ahead "Three weeks... Kenai’s affection was only ten percent, she needed fifty...Compatibility also needed to rise"
And she had confidently been thinking about nine whole months. Anaria slowly sank deeper into the warm water until only her head remained above the surface. "Ohh dear Lord"
Anaria covered her face with both hands and groaned, her peaceful morning was officially over.