The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 158: You’re heavy, Ari

The morning greeted us with a warmth that seeped right through the thatched walls of the hut.

Outside, the world felt alive with a frantic, cheerful bustling—the sound of tiny footsteps, melodic whistling, and the rhythmic thud-thud of wooden tools from a far distance, indicating construction was in process.

The sun was already a scorching golden orb high in the sky, carrying the foreboding winter chill in the atmosphere. It was probably around noon or maybe close to noon.

We slept quite late so it’s understandable if we woke up around noon.

That’s right. I still have to teach the days of the week. But even if I say that, how can I tell which day is Tuesday or Wednesday when no one took note of it before now?

But if I use the day I fell into this world as the starting point then today is probably...

"...Sunday," I muttered out of my sleep.

I groaned softly, blinking against the light filtering through the reeds.

As I tried to move, I realized my body wasn’t resting on the clover-leafed floor. Instead, I was sprawled comfortably on top of Damar.

I didn’t remember climbing onto him in the middle of the night. But thanks to his steady cold-hot body, I had slept more soundly than I would’ve, sleeping on the floor.

I shifted slightly, my skin brushing against the smooth, cool silk of his chest.

Then I noticed the empty space beside us. The clover was flattened where Fenric had been, but the big, ruby-eyed tiger was gone.

Where did he go?

As I pushed myself up on my elbows, the movement stirred the man beneath me.

Damar’s pretty lashes began to flutter, casting long, delicate shadows against his cheeks before his emerald eyes slowly opened.

I found myself momentarily breathless, just staring at him. Even with his silver hair a mess of tangles and sleep still clinging to his gaze, he possessed a kind of porcelain beauty that felt almost criminal. He looked less like a deadly serpent and more like a masterpiece carved from moonlight.

"Morning," he rasped, his voice deep and gravelly from sleep. A small, sleepy smile touched his lips as he reached up, his long fingers trailing ghost-like over my arm. "You’re heavy, Ari."

"Hmph. You’re just soft," I teased, though I didn’t move to get off him just yet and he laughed.

To think he knew how to make jokes now. Sigh they grow up so fast.

"By the way, have you seen Fenric? He’s not in the hut."

Damar tilted his head, listening to the noise outside.

"He’s probably making sure they’re actually building that house they promised."

Hm, I don’t know if I should put the rabbits through this stress since we will be leaving some time. But maybe this can be an opportunity to get them to build a guest house, so it’s fine.

I sat up fully, stretching my back until it popped. The herb paste on my face had dried into a crusty mask, and I was itching to wash it off and see if the scratches had faded.

"Let’s go find him," I said, giving Damar’s chest a playful pat. "And then find something to eat."

I stood up, leaving the cozy warmth of the hut and stepping out into the bright morning. I stretched my arms far above my head, tipping on my toes and then falling back with the confidence that Damar would catch me and he did.

"Hah, I just want to be lazy today," I said and looked up at his face. "I don’t feel like doing anything."

"You could just go back in and I’ll go out to find meat for us to eat." He said, but I pushed my body forward, getting on my feet again, and placed my hands on my hips.

"No, that won’t do," I said. "An adventurer cannot afford to be lazy. Let’s go."

If I get lazy now and settle down in this village then it’s the end. We aren’t even that far from the other side so this isn’t enough.

Damar followed a few paces behind, his movements fluid and silent as always. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Just a few yards away, the village was a hive of activity. A large group of rabbit craftsmen was already busy at work, dragging long timber beams and stacking those limestone blocks I’d noticed the night before.

They were building a ’tiger-sized’ house with impressive speed, their tiny frames moving in a blur of efficiency.

It was as if rabbits were made to work. Seriously, if they keep this up, they’ll be done in no time.

They had already set the foundation and had erected all four corners to keep the size they needed on display.

How do they even do this when they didn’t have architects?

Is it their natural instincts? Well, whatever it is, it’s impressive.

But... Where’s Fenric?

Then, my attention was immediately pulled elsewhere.

Fenric was right in the middle of a grassy clearing, but he wasn’t overseeing the construction.

He was surrounded by a swarm of rabbit kits, all led by a very excited-looking Dani. The big, fearsome warrior was being treated like a piece of playground equipment.

Two kits were swinging from his muscular arms, while another three had climbed onto his back, their tiny hands wrapped around his neck in a mock chokehold.

Fenric didn’t look bothered at all; he was throwing his head back and laughing, the sound deep and genuine. It was a lively, easing scene, and for a moment, a soft smile touched my lips.

’He’s so good with kids,’ I thought, my heart swelling with a bit of warmth. ’I guess he’s going to be a pretty good father if he’s like this with other kids.’

But then, the warmth evaporated as my eyes drifted to the side, where a group of female rabbits had gathered. They were whispering, chuckling, and looking at Fenric with eyes that were way too wide and admiring.

My smile fell and my brows tilted down, replaced with a heavy frown.

What the heck?!