Chapter Four
It was getting dark. Pearl paced back and forth, repeatedly glancing at the entrance.
"It's not that he doesn't want me anymore, is it?" she wondered nervously.
"Ding! All men in this world only have the opportunity to have one mate. Once they are bonded, if the male regrets it, he will burn alive. If the female abandons him, his death will be even worse."
Pearl's eyes widened at the shocking information. "So they can only have one wife for life and remain loyal to her? Doesn't that mean I'll never have to worry about another woman stealing my man?"
"Yes."
She giggled inwardly. "What a nature! It's unfair in some ways, but for me, it's perfect! My man will always be mine. No—" she smirked inwardly, "—my men!" A low laugh echoed in her chest. "But wait, check if Orrin is fine. He's been gone too long—"
Before the system could respond, a shadow appeared outside. Orrin finally came into sight.
Relief washed over Pearl, though she masked it with a feigned look of annoyance. She simply stared at him in silence.
"You're still awake?" Orrin's voice carried a note of surprise.
Pearl kept quiet.
He stepped closer, hesitating. "I thought… since you accepted him, you wouldn't want me anymore. I didn't want to stain your eyes."
Her eyes widened. "Why would you think I'd abandon you?" she questioned sharply.
"He's a healer. Probably more useful to you than me," Orrin murmured.
Pearl's eyes stung with tears. "Do you think you're just a tool? Why would you think like that?" she cried.
A soft smile tugged at Orrin's lips. "Pearl is truly different from every female I've ever known, yet I still doubt myself like this." He lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Pearl. I won't think that way again."
"Are you injured?"
He shook his head and, without warning, kissed her gently.
Pearl's face flushed scarlet as she looked away. "Why did you kiss me again?" she whispered shyly.
Instead of answering, Orrin wrapped his arm around her waist and sealed her lips with a deeper kiss.
Her heartbeat quickened. "I don't feel disgusted at all. My heart is racing so much… Am I already in love with him?" Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
The kiss grew more intense. Orrin guided her to the stone bed, his body hovering over hers. Just as he was about to pull her clothes away, his sharp senses detected another presence.
He broke the kiss instantly, ensuring Pearl was properly covered before turning to the entrance with a piercing gaze.
Standing there was Zerai, brows furrowed deeply, fury blazing in his eyes.
"What are you doing to her!" he roared, dashing forward like the wind and striking Orrin with a heavy punch.
Pearl gasped.
"Pearl, are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Zerai asked frantically.
"I'm fine! And can you both stop fighting whenever you see each other? You're both my husbands, for goodness' sake!" she declared.
"Husbands?" Orrin and Zerai echoed in unison, confused.
Pearl coughed lightly. "I mean… mates."
Both nodded slowly.
Still unconvinced, Zerai turned to her. "Are you sure he didn't harm you? I saw him on top of you. He must have been up to no good."
Her cheeks burned. "Can we just close this chapter? I want to sleep," she muttered, lying down.
"I'll sleep with you," Orrin and Zerai chimed together, exchanging fierce glares.
Seeing the tension, Pearl quickly intervened. "Then both of you will sleep with me. Orrin, stay on my right. Zerai, you take the left. That's fair."
Neither dared disobey. They lay beside her, and so the night passed warmly for the trio.
---
The Next Morning
Pearl stirred awake, stretching her arms with a yawn. "What a long night. These two husbands of mine… I barely slept with both of them fighting to hug me," she murmured.
Glancing around, she frowned. "Where are they?"
Her feet touched the ground, and she shivered. "Why is this floor so cold? Can't it ever be warm?"
"Congratulations, Host, on earning 200 points randomly. It have been added to your balance."
"How many points do I need to exchange for protective boots?" Pearl asked.
"Replying to the host, 250 points."
"Exchange them immediately before my legs freeze off," she commanded.
"Yes!"
Two pairs of boots appeared before her, and she slipped them on with relief. "Finally, I can walk freely again," she said with a smile.
Just then, Zerai entered, carrying two enormous wild boar on his shoulders. "Pearl, you're awake! Look—I hunted some meat. You can eat this for breakfast, and I'll go again by evening." His smile was warm and proud.
Pearl's eyes widened in disbelief. "My goodness! Don't tell me you expect me to finish all this this morning?" She pointed at the massive beasts.
"I know it's not big enough," Zerai replied earnestly, "and two is too small. I feared you'd still be hungry, so I didn't waste time searching for a larger one. Forgive me."
Pearl's jaw dropped. "Did he really just say that?" She walked closer, circling the boars. "They're huge, yet he calls them small? And how could I finish even one in a single day? That's impossible!"
Zerai smiled warmly, gathering some grass to set the boars down. "Pearl is so special. I'm truly lucky she's my mate." He leaned down and stole a quick kiss.
Pearl blinked in confusion. "Do they just enjoy stealing kisses when I least expect it?" She shook her head lightly.
"Um… where's the pot and coal to cook?" she asked.
Zerai blinked at her blankly. "Pot? Coal?"
Pearl stared at him. "You don't mean we'll be eating this raw, do you?" Hands went to her waist.
Zerai nodded without hesitation.
Pearl pressed a palm to her forehead. "Did I really need to ask such an obvious question?" She exhaled heavily. "Never mind. I'll handle that later. Do you know where I can get red pepper, ginger, tomatoes, and vegetables?"
Zerai scratched the back of his head, clearly lost. "I… don't know what those are."
Pearl crouched and quickly drew the shapes of the items on the ground with a stick. "This is what I'm talking about."
His eyes widened with awe. "Pearl… you're also a healer?" he exclaimed with excitement.