Next morning, I woke up slowly, my eyes landing on Aria, who was sleep-hugging me.
Her grey hair spilled across my chest, soft and fragrant. She opened her eyes slowly and rubbed them as she sensed my movements.
"Good morning, Ragnar. Want me to cook breakfast? I'm already hungry from yesterday's workout," Aria said while stretching like a cat.
I absent-mindedly nodded; we had already made it clear yesterday that we are together now
She pushed the soft mattress off her legs and stood up. Her long, plump legs carried her slowly to the bathroom as she yawned.
I took a moment in bed, enjoying the free time, and checked the system. I found that I currently didn't have any delivery quests.
"Good, at least some time to focus on my own things," I muttered.
I pushed the covers off myself. Aria popped her head out of the kitchen.
"Do you like orc meat?" she asked.
"Ugh, no thanks," I replied. Honestly, I can't eat something with a face. She shrugged and replied, "I guess more for me then."
After an hour of meat-hammering sounds, Aria emerged from the kitchen, holding out a tray.
She sat down, but before eating, she paused, looked at me thoughtfully, and then dashed out. When she returned, her hands held a bag full of eggs.
"Hey, how about eggs? You like them, don't you?"
I nodded, smiling. "Yes, I do.", 'she really is caring in her own way' I thought looking at her.
After making a simple omelette, we sat together to eat. And an idea struck me: if the goblins and kobolds are on good terms, couldn't I use that for my advantage
Just as I pondered this, a loud shout came from outside, I instantly recognised it, it was Sarah's voice.
Dropping my food, I dashed through the door running across the tribe, and there I found her, panting with a clearly exhausted face
"Ragnar! Finally, I managed to find you!" she said, but before she was about to collapse I caught her in my arms.
"It looks like she's been through a lot," Aria murmured beside me, her voice filled with concern, and I nodded at her words
"Yes, let's give her something to eat and drink before hearing what happened," I said.
With a strong sweep of my arms, I lifted Sarah in a princess carry. Aria cast her a momentary jealous look but quickly stopped, realising the situation wasn't ideal.
Back in the room, we laid her on the bed. Aria went to fetch water because she was more familiar with the tribe than I was.
Sarah opened her eyes slightly, coughing up blood. Looking at me she whispered, "Ragnar, the tribe needs you. A rebel has taken over, and he attacked my dad!"
The usually stoic kobold broke into tears, clinging to my arm.
I took her hand. "Don't worry, I'll fix everything. How about Val and Aunty? Are they okay?"
Hearing this, she fell silent. "They…are mostly. Val is imprisoned because he resisted the rebels early on, Aunty and my mother are hiding in a secret location only I know."
She looked at me, eyes unwavering. "Don't worry. I'll take you back to them."
Just as we finished speaking, Aria entered with a water bucket. Sarah took the bucket from her hand and gulped it down.
After 10 minutes of drinking, she said "Sorry, I haven't drunk in two days, plus I had to run all the way here,"
Aria smiled. "Don't worry. But didn't Ragnar tell you about our new goblin chief or what happened recently?"
I froze, looking at Aria. She smirked back at me dangerously. "You see, yesterday Ragnar was elected as our Goblin chief."
Sarah tilted her head. "But he's a kobold, and even if that was true, I was here first!"
Aria replied with an even voice "It doesn't matter who was first. Only winners and losers matter, and I always win."
Tears filled Sarah's eyes. She was about to cry, but before I could intervene, she shouted, "No, no, no! He promised me under that oak tree he would make me his wife! Don't you remember, Ragnar?"
And Aria gave me a chilling smile.
Recalling my memories, I realized it wasn't like that. We had sat under the oak tree, but the conversation went like this:
Sarah: So, what kind of woman do you like, Ragnar?
Ragnar: I like the kind who can cook well.
Sarah: Then… What about me?
Ragnar: You? Puff,you almost poisoned the whole tribe once.
Sarah had burst into tears and ran to her mother. That was it. I definitely hadn't promised anything.
As Sarah tried to stand, she fell to one side. Aria, nearest to her, reacted fastest.
"Hey, you still haven't healed yet," Aria said.
"I can't… the whole tribe needs me. As the chief's daughter, I must act," Sarah replied resolutely.
Aria couldn't argue,she had been in the same position and understood the responsibility.
As Sarah collapsed back onto the bed, she huffed and then realized something.
"Ragnar, why are you so big now? What happened?"