Chapter 4: Chapter 4
The tribe leader understood immediately.
The presence of more females in the tribe would be beneficial for everyone.
Clearly, the young female, who seemed to have no one to rely on, would be a valuable addition to their tribe. She would become part of their family, which was excellent!
After all, there were only about seven or eight adult females in the tribe, some of whom were older, and others still too young.
The ones eligible for the marriage selection ceremony were just these few. As for the tribe's males, there were many of them, so...
"No, you, a stranger with no known origins, how can you stay in our tribe? Just look at you, a mutated deer, you even look like a witch; it's obvious you're no good!" Ka Lian was the first to speak out when she heard Sika's words.
She was absolutely furious!
This female could not stay in the tribe. If she had to see her every day, she would be driven to madness.
"Ka Lian, shut up!" Ka Lian's father glared at her immediately.
This daughter of his had really gone too far!
The tribe leader had not spoken, so she had no right to speak out... Couldn't she see the angry and confused stares from the other tribe members? Even the tribe leader had a displeased look on his face!
"Leader, I apologize. My daughter has been spoiled since childhood. I'll apologize to you on her behalf," Ka Lian's father said, bowing respectfully to the tribe leader.
After all, the tribe leader was the head of the tribe, the one with the most authority and strength.
Beastmen on the continent revered power, so whether they were males or females, all respected the tribe leader. For Ka Lian to openly disrespect him was akin to challenging the whole tribe!
She really was thoughtless.
"Forget it, I don't argue with the younger generation. Besides, Ka Lian might even become my daughter-in-law someday," Tribe Leader Cheng Yi said, though his feelings toward Ka Lian had cooled.
"Yes, yes," Ka Lian's father nodded rapidly.
Ka Lian feared her father's temper the most. Upon seeing his dark expression, she shrank back, too scared to say anything further. Instead, she shot a vicious glare at Sika.
All of this was because of that female! She would remember this grudge!
"That new female, you're right. The marriage ceremony doesn't require the females to be from the tribe. You're welcome to join us. Come up, the ceremony is about to begin," the tribe leader said to Sika.
"Thank you, Tribe Leader. You're such a good person!" Sika happily responded and made her way to the center.
The tribe leader chuckled at her words, lifting a hand to stroke his beard.
Ka Lian watched Sika, standing at the edge with a bright smile on her face, and her anger boiled. She really wanted to tear that smile off Sika's face. But with so many beastmen around, she dared not act!
She was furious!
"The marriage ceremony begins now. Adult male beastmen, please stand behind the female of your choice. If she accepts you, you will become partners," the tribe leader announced.
At this moment, Tribe Leader Cheng Yi thought his son, Amore, would finally come through for Ka Lian.
He watched as Amore walked up and directly stood behind Sika, without hesitation.
The entire crowd was stunned.
No one had expected that the young tribe leader would choose the new female, Sika.
Although she was beautiful, many still questioned whether her delicate frame was enough to be a good mate.
After all, on Beastman Continent, once a male chose a mate, they would be together for life. Even if one partner passed away, they could never choose another.
The idea of choosing carefully was important.
Still, a few brave males tried to follow Amore's lead and choose Sika, but Amore's cold glare made them step back, choosing other females instead.
The other males soon made their choices, with Ka Lian having the most males behind her, six in total. Ada Hua had four, and the other two tribe females each had two or three behind them.
But Sika only had one: Amore.
He had scared off the competition.
The tribe leader looked at his son, realizing that Amore had indeed made his decision.
"Alright, females, turn around and see the males standing behind you. If you like someone, accept them. If you don't, reject them. Please make your decision carefully!" the tribe leader called out.
Ka Lian, still hopeful, was the first to turn around.
She was shocked to see Amore wasn't standing behind her. Her heart dropped as she turned to see him standing behind Sika, the only male to do so. Her heart shattered.
Why?
What was it about Sika that she didn't have?
Why did Amore choose that foreign female over her?
Tears of frustration filled her eyes.
Sika took a deep breath and slowly turned around, fully expecting that no one would choose her. But when she saw that Amore was unwaveringly standing behind her, she felt a rush of warmth.
It was clear now. Apart from Amore, no one else had chosen her.
She had made the right choice.
"Will you be my mate? I've liked you from the first moment I saw you, little deer," Amore said nervously, his voice tinged with excitement.
He had made up his mind—if Sika rejected him, he would never choose another mate.
"I will," Sika replied, her smile as bright as the sun.
"What? You agreed? Really?" Amore exclaimed in disbelief, overjoyed. He immediately swept her up into his arms and spun her around in excitement.
He had really become Sika's mate!
The surrounding beastmen were jealous.
Ka Lian gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely at the happy couple.
"You all belong to me!" Ka Lian snarled as she looked over the males standing behind her.
The tribe leader looked at his son and sighed.
It was the first time he had seen Amore so happy.
"Well, it's settled then. There's nothing more to discuss," the tribe leader said.
Amore carried Sika back to his cave, not letting her go.
"Congratulations, host, on getting your first mate! The journey to having children moves one step closer!" the system cheered excitedly in Sika's mind.
Sika laughed at the system's antics, feeling amused.
The system really was adorable.
"Put me down, Amore," Sika said.
"Okay," Amore replied, finally letting her down when they reached the cave.
"From now on, you're my mate. I want to have babies with you," Sika said tenderly, cupping Amore's face gently.
"Isn't that a bit too soon? Shouldn't we take care of our health first? I'm worried you might not be able to handle it," Amore said, his face turning red.
He really felt like he was dreaming. He had gotten the female he loved, and now she wanted to have his babies. He felt so lucky.
"What, are you saying you can't?" Sika teased.
"Don't say I can't," Amore grumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed.
He was determined to prove to her that he could.
But Sika was light and delicate, and he was genuinely concerned for her health.
"You can't," Sika repeated, teasing him.
"Alright, I'll prove it to you! You'll see!" Amore said, his patience wearing thin as he scooped her up in a princess carry and headed back into the cave.
"Roar, roar! It's starting! It's starting! The system is taking a backseat!" the system cheered, unable to hold back.