A New Life In The Beast World-Chapter 155: The Festival (4)

One of the rabbit beastmen behind her moved to grab her before she fell to the ground. Merinda gripped his arm tightly as the crowd went still.

Sweat covered her brow, the quick ceremony taking more energy than she thought. Or perhaps it was because of her age.

After catching her breath, Merinda straightened up and quickly ended the ceremony. The rabbit beastmen went along with it like normal, but she could see the worry in their eyes.

Just need to wait a little longer. Merinda thought to herself. Don’t let them worry.

One of her mates stayed by her side, arm clinging to her waist to make sure she didn’t fall. Meanwhile the other moved to distract the crowd and keep the festival going.

After all this was meant to be a good evening for all of them. A little stumble from her shouldn’t ruin such an important day.

Her eyes watched the crowd as it moved, lingering at the back of the crowd. She spotted Serena with her mate and brother, wearing a worried expression. Merinda could tell immediately what the snow leopard beastwoman was thinking.

Perhaps she should’ve kept that part hidden.

She would need to reassure everyone before she retired for the night. Especially her mates. They wouldn’t allow for another ceremony if they thought it was bringing her too much harm.

But she couldn’t stop them.

The village had survived so long because of them. And until they were strong enough to deal with all threats, Merinda had to keep doing these ceremonies.

Elder Samuel soon appeared with Becky in his arms and a grim look on his face. Behind him trailed Faris and Mateo, her two other mates. They had different looks of worry, anxiousness or downright anger.

"How is the festival coming along?" Merinda asked as Elder Samuel came to a stop in front of her.

"Everything is going as planned..." Elder Samuel responded, setting Becky down.

The young cub ran over to her grandmother and hugged her legs. Merinda patted Becky on the head, comforting her. Her little fall must’ve scared the poor cub.

"That’s good." Merinda mused. "I should do my rounds and then retire for the night. After all, I’m not as young as I used to be."

She chuckled lightly at the last part, acting like it was nothing. But Elder Samuel gave her a knowing look. The rabbit beastman knew her all too well and wasn’t falling for what she said.

None of them were.

But none of them were willing to fight with her about it in front of Becky. They didn’t want to worry the cub any more than necessary. So instead, he just nodded his head in understanding.

"Don’t stay up too late. You need rest." Elder Samuel finally said, turning his attention to the rabbit beastman holding her. "Jol make sure Merinda eats too."

Jol nodded his head and with that Elder Samuel left, going to deal with his responsibilities. Faris glanced over at her one more time before following Elder Samuel.

Once they were gone from sight, Matteo picked up Becky, it being his turn to tend to the cub. He soon left with her, leaving Jol and Merinda on the stage.

After a moment of silence, Jol finally murmured, "Let’s get something to eat... You must’ve used a lot of energy for the ceremony and need to replenish it."

"Okay." Merinda agreed, having no will to fight with them now. "But let’s make it something light... I don’t think my body can take eating something heavy this late."

Jol quietly nodded his head before helping her down the stage.

***

Serena watched as the ceremony ended and the festivities began. Emma asked her if she was going to head over to grab some food, but the snow leopard beastwoman told her to go ahead.

The rabbit beastwoman pursed her lips at that, but left Serena to process what had happened. Theo quietly watched her, a little surprised by the sudden turn of events.

There was much cheer in the air, everyone happy about the news of good fortune for the village. However, there was also a lingering sense of tension and anxiety in the air too.

Merinda stumbling after using her ability was clearly not something normal. She could see it from the way the other villagers had acted around her. Which had Serena worried for the older rabbit beastwoman.

And immediately brought up what the two beastwomen had spoken about in the tent.

Merinda had a few years left to live. The beastwoman knew she was going to die sometime soon in the future. Was it because each use of her ability ate away at her lifeforce? Or could she feel herself dying?

Either way, a part of Serena was worried. She didn’t like the idea of Merinda purposely killing herself bit by bit so she could tell the future. Sure, it had its uses. But was it really worth such a heavy price?

Especially when it would one day leave such a big void within the village.

"Why are you sad, Sister?" Kiro questioned, gazing at her with a worried expression. "Is it because of the old beastwoman?"

"It’s Aunt Merinda to you. Don’t be rude." Serena retorted with a sigh. "And I’m not sad... Just a little hangry."

It was a white lie, but Kiro did not need to know the truth. It would just mess with him and she wanted him to enjoy today.

"Hangry?" Kiro furrowed his eyebrows and frowned in confusion. "What’s that?"

"It’s when you’re so hungry you get angry." Serena explained. "Now let’s get some food before I decide to eat you."

She meant it in a joking manner to distract the cub from the turn of events, but Kiro let out a gasp of horror. He quickly turned to Theo.

"Theo save me!" The cub exclaimed, trying to wiggle out of Serena’s grasp. "We need to feed Sister before she eats me."

Theo, who was standing quietly by her side, choked back a laugh, almost failing to keep a straight face. Serena set Kiro down and he rushed behind Theo.

"I’m only joking Kiro." Serena shook her head, watching the cub. "But we should probably get some food before it goes."

There was already a massive crowd growing where they were going to serve food, the area in front of the stage almost vacant. There were a few beastmen lingering around as well as Merinda and her family.

And thankfully, the older beastwoman seemed to be getting some color back in her face, looking less like she was on death’s door.

"Hmm... Perhaps we should get our meat dishes first." Theo mused, glancing over at the crowd. "You can eat a little and then we can grab one of the vegetable dishes once it’s less crowded. Otherwise, who knows how long you’ll be waiting for there."

"I suppose so..." Serena murmured.

Growl!

The sudden sound of a stomach growling had both adults turning to Kiro, who was blushing. Serena smiled at the cub. It seemed someone was really hungry.

"Best we get moving." Serena teased. "Otherwise someone might become hangry."

Kiro pouted at her teasing and declared, "I won’t!"

Serena chuckled at his declaration before they headed back to their hut to grab their food. Serena would’ve put it in her subspace, but taking it out around a crowd was a bit of an issue.

They then headed back to the village once they gathered their dishes, Kiro nibbling on a skewer. When they got to the edge of the village center, they found a spot and sat down to eat.

The crowd was still quite big where they were serving food, so Serena didn’t bother. Theo quickly slit the rest of the skewers between them and Serena ate, hungry taking over. The meat was a bit cold, but wasn’t completely inedible.

However, Serena was used to eating hot meals everyday now and found she didn’t really like the cold skewers. Which was a little ironic considering how she never ate before coming to this world.

It was all some cardboard tasting drink essentially.

Wilma landed up bringing over a dish for them before they managed to grab their own, thinking Serena was being too shy. After handing over the dish, she exclaimed, "I know this isn’t the best one, but all the beastwomen made a grab for it... Honestly, if I get hold of the beastman who made that mixed vegetable dish, I’ll make them my mate."

Serena gaped at the rabbit beastwoman’s words. "Should you be saying that...? And was it really that good?"

"Of course it was. I bet the servers are all getting harassed about who made that dish." Wilma stated. "Urgh... I could eat another bowl of it."

"Well then be nice to Serena." Emma chuckled, appearing by the other rabbit beastwoman’s side. "You must give me that recipe."

"What are you..." Wilma paused, taking a moment to connect the dots.

As did Serena, who realized that dish she tried out had actually worked out well. Maybe too well considering Wilma’s reaction.

"I’ll teach you both some time." Serena quickly said before Wilma could say anything.

Wilma nodded her head. "Thank you. Now enjoy your food."

Serena smiled at that, thankful that the rabbit beastwoman was giving her some space. She quickly split the vegetable dish with Kiro and the two enjoyed it.

Just not as much as hers.