Chapter 17

“Calm down, Lafetti,” Zarda’s displeased voice rang out, and her tail moved, blocking Lafetti’s tail. “Is this how you should act?”

“I don’t care! You hurt Rain, and I’ll make you pay the price—even if you are my Sister!!”

Lafetti roared in anger.

“I did not—”

“She did not!” Rain finally snapped out from his shock by Lafetti’s sudden rage and hurriedly run in front of her. “Lafetti, relax, this is not what you think it is.”

“Stand back, Rain!”

“LAFETTI!!”

“…?!” Lafetti was startled when she heard Rain’s yell. This was the first time that Rain had raised his voice at her, and she was shocked. She turned towards at him, confused and somewhat hurt. Suddenly, Rain pressed his body to her, burrowing his head into her chest. She's much taller than him due to her long tail, so he could only pressed his face against her chest, nuzzling on her voluptuous and bare breasts. Rain recalled this calms Lafetti down much better.

“Calm down, Lafetti, there’s no use for anger. They didn’t really do anything to me… in fact; they saved me and took care of me. They didn’t hurt me, nor abused me in any way so you don’t need to worry about me…”

Lafetti finally calms down, and her two arms hugged Rain. She pulled him towards her as if trying to integrate him on her body. Her fierce expression somewhat softened after feeling the familiar warmth that she had dearly missed for a long time. However, when she turned towards the other Lamians, her eyes remained glaring at Zarda and the others. She was prepared to turn around and run away if needed.

However, it seems like Zarda had already guessed what she was planning to do.

“Don’t even think about it, Lafetti. You know the law, if you take a step back here, you will be hunted down.” Zarda warned with a darkened expression. “You will be branded as a traitor…forever! Even if you can run away from us, do you think you can safely escape this place?”

“I’ll try,” Lafetti strongly fought back. Her expression was unyielding as a mountain.

“Was he really that important to you? That you can forsake your family for him? For a human like him?” Zarda growled in displeasure.

But Lafetti was unperturbed. “…I don’t know. But all I know is that even without me, the tribe will still live on. But if you take him away from me, I wouldn’t!”

“Lafetti!!” Stagna cried out worriedly.

“He’s mine… and I will never give him to anyone else!” she cried out, defiantly. And her expression beamed with a heroic glow.

“You know the law!”

“Fuck the law! I don’t care!!” Due to her raging emotions, she unconsciously used the word she always hear from Rain. And this somehow shock the Lamians, including Zarda, not knowing what she said, but clearly understanding what it meant.

“Lafetti,”

“It’s fine…” Lafetti heard Rain’s call and smile, though a bit stiff. It seems like she has yet to get used to smiling, she still needs to work quite a bit to make a good one. Rain raised his bound hands and strokes her face gently, as if delivering some sort of benediction. It seemed to calm her.

“I know it would be fine… I never doubted.” he grinned.

“Rain…”

“I love you too Lafetti, I really do.” Rain smiled happily as he continued to stroke her face gently. “However, if it means you turning your back on your family, that is something I cannot accept.”

“…?!”

“If my existence gave you a difficult time, then I can only yield. I don’t know who my family was, I don’t even know if I have one in the first place… sometimes I think, having one would probably be good…but that will only remain in my head, and I will never know what it truly felt like to have one. But you Lafetti, you have one. Right here. And they love you as well; it’s not something easy to throw away. I know I’m not in the position to say things like this, but even someone like me, know how important family is.” Rain said with a helpless smile, that seemed to struck a spear through Lafetti's heart.

“Rain, this is not…”

“Hmm," Rain shook his head, not letting her finish her words. "... whatever happens, happens, Lafetti. I will be with you—and I think, the Chief is not a terrible person. As long as humans are not one of her diets, then I think I can do away with any penalty or punishment.” Rain smiled wryly.

Zarda smiled amused. Even Stagna and Drova bit their lips, trying to contain their smile.

“As long as I can be with you… wouldn’t it be alright, no matter what happens.” Rain held Lafetti’s hands and squeezed them softly; “I know your kind might not be able to accept me, at first. But I think every couple in the world passed through such issues. Though, ours is indeed somewhat strange but… well, everything will turn up alright,”

… …

Although Rain said that with a cool expression, but when it comes to the real thing… his stomach can’t help but churn.

Being paraded through the Lamian Tribe, with all women in all ages watch your every move, was somewhat…really hard to bear. Ashamed, embarrassment, anxiety… hm, if not for Lafetti holding his hand all the way, perhaps Rain would have fainted from all the anxiety boiling within him.

Due to his upbringing, Rain wasn't normally shy and easily embarrassed, but the way they stared at him made him uncomfortable. He felt like they were expecting him to do a flip or something. It’s really uncomfortable.

Do you remember the feeling when you first stand on a stage?

Rain did and it was extremely embarrassing for him. At that time, he wanted to find a hole, jump into it and bury himself.

And this time, it happens once again.

Anxiety, fear, stage fright, nervousness all feelings surge through him that day. His teacher learned that he can play the flute and since no one volunteered to be the one who will be presented in a class program, and so he was chosen, albeit forcefully. It was truly over the top, and Rain wanted to pluck out the remaining hair on his balding teacher if only he could.

He couldn’t refuse after seeing his teacher pleading at him like his life depends on it.

And so, that was the worst day of his life.

Due to being extremely nervous, he misses some notes and he noticed someone laughing at him. At that time, he vowed he would never be in the limelight again nor he would stand on a stage and take the spotlight.

… And now that nightmare once again reborn.

Rain stood in the center of something like a training ground surrounded by wooden fences, this might have been training grounds or something like that since Rain can see some discard weapons all over the place. There were also dummies and such seemingly for practicing purposes.

They were not going to let me fight something right? If they do, I’m a goner…

As he was worried about it, he then saw Zarda walking towards a wooden chair in front of a large wooden hut, followed by Drova and Stagna and another, beautiful Lamian which Rain didn't recognize. When Zarda sat down, she gazes at him with a faint smile that seemed to never change and then Lafetti who scoffed in return.

At this moment, Rain look around, there dozens of Lamians, young and old, gathered outside the fence, watching them. They weren't bowing anymore. They were staring at him, sizing him up. Rain knew this routine. He’d gone through it at enough working shops. Though, not clearly enough to comfort his wildly beating heart.

“My fellow sisters and daughters of the Amina Tribe, Lafetti, our dear sister had taken a human and hide it from us… which I found rather disagreeable.” Zarda started while sitting in that rather fancy looking chair made up of vines and branches.

On each side were Drova and Stagna standing like competent guards, their faces serious and glaring as if wearing Noh masks. Though, the last Lamian who was holding a staff-like stick was watching him with great curiosity, as well as interest in her sapphire-like eyes.

Whispers gradually spread, and Rain could feel some malice and hostility from his surroundings but most was curiosity. Was this the first time they had seen a human? Or maybe they were curious as to what a human like him doing in this place together with a Lamian like Lafetti.

Humans are judgmental in nature. Even if it was to fellow humans, an acquaintance, a friend, blood kin, if the crowd made a decision, they would also condemn them themselves without hearing any excuses, reasons, and appeal. After all, follow the crowd had become a norm. If the majority thought they are guilty, then they would be…as easy and as simple as that.

Most of all, Humans are driven for benefits. Without any benefits involved, they would not even dare voice out and help.

It might be something disagreeable…

Sadly, it was the truth.

However, that seems not true for monsters – Rain concluded as he observes the expressions of the Lamians listening to Zarda’s words. Even though in their law, Lafetti did something bad but no one condemned her. Not even a curse or a hate-filled glare but instead several pairs of worried eyes directed at her. It’s as if they truly saw her as a family—

Or perhaps because of their low number, they treasured each member as extremely valuable.

Lafetti stood in front of the Lamian Chief Zarda with unyielding eyes and unbending spirit. She looks like a warrior, brimming with bravery and courage to fight against all odds. She was not even the least bit worried.

Rain felt warm and couldn’t help but stepped forward, grabbing her soft hand and give it a squeezed. He realized whenever he holds her hand, the feeling that everything will be okay spreads from his hand and through his entire body.

It’s quite amazing. It’s the world’s only hand that lets you know…

Everything will be okay…

Lafetti felt her hand being grabbed causing her to turn to Rain who was looking at her with a gentle smile. She frowned as if displeased by something. But Rain knows better. She was actually masking her embarrassment within this kind of expression and he felt good.

Fear, unease, anxiety… and everything else was immediately swept away by this, like a flood sweeping logs and garbage in the street.

Zarda can’t help but roll her eyes the moment she saw Rain and Lafetti’s pink mood. Were they actually going straight to their own strange world in front of them? Were they even aware of their own circumstances?

What nerves…

However, at the same time, she actually felt strange and amused… for quite different reasons.

Of course, she wasn’t the only one who had noticed the chemistry, physics, mathematics and whatever – sciences it was going on between the two lovebirds standing at the middle of the public and flirting without any care. Many people were surprised at their seemingly rare pure relationship of Love… however, some also made sad and sorrowful expressions… after all, who didn’t know about humans?

In their history, many Lamians have fallen in love with humans, sadly not one succeeded. Not only physical differences, the difference in moral and character were also a great chasm that any couple could never pass through. If they were not betrayed; they all end with Romeo and Juliet scenario. There was no exception.

Some hope to succeed only to be slapped by reality.

And they gave up…

!!

Zarda awkwardly cough, once again attracting the people’s attention.

“Lafetti, you have known the rules and laws of the tribe… how can you, one of the top warriors protecting the tribe, broke it yourself?”

“I didn’t break any law and I am not planning on breaking anything in the future…” Lafetti gritted her teeth and continued with a “but”. “As the law suggests, Warriors of Amani take what they kill… I’m only taking what I have killed.”

Spoken like a true warrior, Rain almost thought he was going to fall for her again…

“… …” Zarda narrowed her eyes and her beautiful ruby eyes gleamed.

Suddenly, Rain realized something…

“Ahm, actually, have you killed anything when you took me?” Rain was confused and curious at the same time. If it’s my virginity… then I guess, it’s understandable…

“What are you saying? I killed the monsters surrounding you and you are the spoils when I took them down… or did you forget about that?” Lafetti glared.

“Oh, that’s what you’re talking about…” Rain nodded his head. “Hm, she did…I can vouch for that!”

“Even so, you didn’t report anything to the tribe…”

“Because he’s mine!” Lafetti cried out defensively. “When did it become necessary to report every single damn thing to you, sister? To the Tribe? What you find is yours… you’re the one who told me that, Sister…”