Chapter 48 - 048: First den

Anaria stared at him. He had clearly reached his limit.

Kenai’s gaze swept across the crowd. "Stop your bickering."

Nobody dared speak. His eyes settled briefly on Anaria before he faced them again. "Since you’re all so eager to know," he said, his voice carrying across the marketplace, "she is carrying my child."

Silence fell over the place. Anaria’s eyes widened. She hadn’t planned on announcing that yet. "Well, there went that plan," she muttered under her breath.

The villagers stared between her and Kenai, their earlier questions dying before anyone could repeat them.

One woman whispered, "The leader’s child?"

Another glanced at the soap and perfume on the table. "Then she’s been staying in his residence because..."

"Obviously," someone muttered.

Anaria exhaled slowly. At least the gossip had stopped. For a moment, the villagers only stared at her. Then an older woman stepped forward and smiled warmly.

"Congratulations, my lady."

Another woman nodded. "May your cub be healthy."

Anaria blinked, slightly surprised, before a smile spread across her face. "Thank you."

The woman holding the perfume glanced at it again, apparently no longer bothered by the announcement. "Can I still try this?"

Anaria’s smile widened. "Of course."

A few more villagers began congratulating her while the women gathered around the perfume again, their earlier hostility completely forgotten. Anaria couldn’t help smiling. She was still the witch healer to some of them, but now she was also their leader’s female carrying his child. So maybe that would help.

The System chimed in her mind. [Host’s favourability is approaching a moderate level.]

Anaria’s smile widened. At least something was finally going her way.

She was still smiling when an older beastwoman suddenly turned toward Kenai. "Leader, have you already made arrangements for the Frist Den?"

Kenai’s expression shifted slightly.

"The Frist Den?" another woman repeated, immediately joining the conversation.

"Yes. She is already far enough along."

"You’re right. We should start preparing."

Anaria’s smile slowly faded. "Frist Den?" She glanced between them, confused, as the women began talking among themselves with growing excitement.

"The mother will need new garments," one said.

"And something soft for the child," another added.

"Don’t forget the herbs. They should be prepared before the ceremony."

"What about the food?"

"There should be enough for everyone."

Anaria blinked rapidly. Why were they suddenly discussing all of this as though she were part of it? One of the women holding the perfume lifted the bottle with bright eyes.

"Since she has already given us these wonderful things, perhaps she could use some of them during the Frist Den."

Another woman nodded enthusiastically. "That would be lovely."

"The soap too. The mother should be properly prepared."

Anaria stared at them. Mother. They were talking about her and about her baby. She looked toward Kenai, silently asking for an explanation.

Kenai finally stepped closer to her. "The Frist Den is a village tradition," he explained quietly. "It is held when a beastwoman is expecting a child. The village prepares for the mother and welcomes the unborn child into the community."

Anaria’s eyes widened slightly. "So... everyone participates?"

"Those who wish to," Kenai replied.

Before she could say anything else, another woman smiled at her warmly. "You don’t have to worry, my lady. We’ll help you prepare."

Someone else nodded firmly. "Of course. The child will be one of ours."

"One of ours." The words made Anaria pause. Being a mother might have come with a huge bonus, she thought. A small smile appeared on her face. Maybe they might accept her after all.

The System chimed again.

[Host’s favourability has reached the moderate level.]

[Host has gained favour in the eyes of the villagers. Congratulations.]

Anaria’s eyes widened. "Finally."

The marketplace slowly began to quiet as the afternoon wore on. The villagers had finished choosing and buying the things they needed. The soap and perfumes Anaria had brought were no longer sitting untouched on the table. Some had been purchased, while others were being carried away carefully by the servants.

Anaria looked around the marketplace and took a deep breath. It was strange. Earlier, she had expected people to keep their distance or stare at her like she was some dangerous witch. Some still watched her cautiously from the corners of their eyes, but the hostility had noticeably faded. At least they weren’t looking at her like they wanted to chase her out anymore.

She let out a small breath. "Not bad," she murmured to herself.

She shifted her weight, only to immediately regret it. Her legs were beginning to ache, and the heaviness in her stomach had become harder to ignore. Her pregnancy was still early, but her body was already starting to change.

Kenai noticed immediately. "You’ve been standing for too long."

Anaria glanced at him. "I’m fine."

"You’ve said that several times today."

"And I’m still fine."

Kenai didn’t argue. He simply stepped closer and held out his hand. "Come."

Anaria stared at his hand for a moment before sighing and taking it. His fingers wrapped around hers, warm and steady.

The walk back toward the residence was slower than their journey to the marketplace. Anaria didn’t complain, but Kenai occasionally glanced down at her, making sure she wasn’t struggling. His pace adjusted to match hers.

Behind them, Rylan and Kai remained at the marketplace gathering the remaining items.

"We’ll bring the remaining supplies," Rylan called out.

Kai picked up one of the bundles. "There are more than I expected."

Anaria looked back at them. "Don’t take forever."

Kai scoffed. "We’re not children."

"You two say that every time," Anaria replied.

Rylan laughed loudly. "She’s got a point."

Anaria turned back toward Kenai, shaking her head with a small smile.

By the time they reached the residence, she was more than ready to lie down. Her feet throbbed and her back ached in a way that made her long for her bed.

Kenai helped her inside and guided her toward her room, his hand still resting gently on her elbow.

Anaria released his hand once they reached the doorway. "I’m going to rest for a while."

"You should," Kenai agreed softly. "I’ll have food brought to you later."

She nodded gratefully. "Thank you."