At the entrance of the Fox Tribe, Averin finally stopped walking.
"This is far enough," she said lightly.
Ardis nodded. "Thank you for coming with me."
Averin smiled, then gently nudged her forward.
"Go. Your mother is definitely waiting."
Ardis turned and walked toward the huts, but when she glanced back once, Averin was still standing there, arms crossed, watching until she reached safely inside the territory.
As soon as Ardis stepped into the yard, she saw Sylas leaning against the wooden post near the entrance.
He had that same sly smile again.
"So," he said immediately, eyes bright with curiosity, "how was it?"
Ardis narrowed her eyes slightly.
"It was good," she replied carefully, clearly suspicious of his tone.
Sylas only grinned wider, but before he could tease her further, Astra stepped out from her room.
Her gaze immediately fell on the small pouch in Ardis's hand.
"You came back with a gift?" Astra asked gently.
Ardis nodded.
"Yes. Kaerith gave me some herbs."
Understanding immediately appeared in Astra's eyes.
She smiled faintly, then slowly lowered herself onto the fur spread near the entrance. Her pregnant belly was large now, so large that even simple movements seemed tiring. She will be giving birth very soon.
Astra patted the space beside her.
"Come sit here."
Ardis sat down carefully next to her.
Sylas looked between them and gave a dramatic sigh.
"You two talk. I'll collect berries before I'm thrown out anyway," he said, picking up the basket before leaving.
As soon as he disappeared, Astra turned back to Ardis.
"So," she said softly, "tell me everything."
Just like before, Ardis began explaining the whole meeting. How Kaerith had been kneeling in the grass when she arrived, how he brought herbs, how they talked more about healing than anything else… and even what Averin had said on the way back.
Astra listened quietly the entire time, gently holding Ardis's hand.
When Ardis finished, Astra smiled.
"Averin is correct," she said calmly.
Ardis lowered her eyes slightly.
"But what do you think?" Astra asked, squeezing her hand gently.
Ardis hesitated for a moment before answering honestly.
"I think the same."
She paused, then added quietly,
"Kaerith seems like a good beastman… but as my main husband… he isn't it."
Astra did not look surprised at all.
Instead, she simply nodded, her eyes soft with understanding.
"That means you are choosing carefully," she said gently. "And that is a good thing."
Ardis leaned slightly closer to her, feeling a little more relaxed now that she had said it aloud.
Astra and Ardis continued talking for a while, but after some time, Ardis noticed her mother's voice growing slower.
"You should rest," Ardis said gently, helping her adjust the fur behind her back before standing up.
Astra nodded and leaned back carefully, one hand resting over her large belly.
Ardis quietly went inside her room.
The small pouch Kaerith had given her was still in her hand. She opened it again and looked at the herbs carefully.
They were already cleaned.
That alone surprised her.
Most males wouldn't even notice small things like that, but Kaerith clearly had. The leaves were fresh, neatly tied, and separated according to type.
Ardis placed them carefully on a wooden tray. The sun was already setting, so it was too late to dry them outside. She decided she would place the tray in the sun tomorrow morning.
After that, she returned outside.
The fire had already been lit, and the smell of roasted meat filled the air.
Ardis sat near the fire, holding a small piece of meat over the flames to roast it herself. The warmth of the fire made her relax a little.
Astra sat nearby, slowly eating berries while waiting for Kaeris to roast meat for her.
Her fathers sat a little farther away, talking quietly about their day, occasionally laughing at something one of them said.
The dinner felt peaceful.
For a while, Ardis simply listened to the familiar sounds, the crackling fire, the low voices, Astra's quiet chewing. It made her feel calm again after so many meetings.
After dinner, she quietly returned to her room.
Tomorrow would be her last meeting.
That thought stayed in her mind as she lay down to sleep.
The next morning, Ardis woke up earlier than usual.
She washed, braided her hair, and went to Astra, who was already waiting for her with several furs laid out.
"This one," Astra said after looking at her carefully, choosing a softer and lighter one than usual.
Ardis didn't argue.
Soon after, Aeron, Borin, and Varek walked her toward the meeting place.
When they reached the usual spot, Averin was already standing far away.
She didn't come closer, but she raised her hand slightly to show she was there.
Ardis nodded once and continued walking alone.
Her heart felt strangely calm and nervous at the same time.
Then she saw him.
Lysandor was leaning casually against a tree, arms folded, looking completely relaxed, as if he had been waiting for hours without minding it at all.
He looked like someone who had all the time in the world.
When Lysandor noticed Ardis approaching, he immediately straightened and smiled.
"You arrived earlier than I expected," he said lightly.
Ardis only nodded, her hands quietly clasped in front of her.
Lysandor glanced toward the trees for a moment, then said, "I found a place nearby. Let's go there. It's quieter."
He stepped aside slightly. "Follow me."
Ardis hesitated for a second, instinctively looking back. Then she remembered Averin would definitely be watching from somewhere far behind.
So she followed him.
Lysandor didn't walk ahead too quickly. Instead, he matched her pace naturally, slowing when she slowed, turning when she turned, as if he was used to walking beside someone rather than leading them.
Soon they reached a small clearing near a narrow stream. Sunlight reflected gently off the water, making the place feel peaceful and private compared to the usual meeting area.
Ardis stopped for a moment, surprised.
"I didn't know there was a place like this," she said softly.
"I found it while wandering around," Lysandor replied with an easy smile. "I thought you might prefer somewhere quieter."
Ardis nodded, a faint smile forming on her lips.
"It is nice."
Lysandor sat down first on a smooth rock near the stream. Ardis followed and sat beside him, leaving a polite distance between them.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The only sound was the quiet flow of water.
Then Lysandor glanced at her.
"You seem nervous."
Ardis let out a small breath.
"Is it that obvious?" she asked, then added honestly, "Meeting new people makes me a bit nervous."
Lysandor shook his head slightly.
"I just like observing people," he said calmly.
Ardis looked at him again. He really did seem calm, almost too calm. Unlike the others, he didn't seem stiff or overly careful.
"You are very relaxed," she said quietly.
He gave a faint laugh.
"I talk to people for a living," he said, adding the last part with a slightly teasing tone.
Ardis nodded in understanding. He worked as a diplomat, so it made sense that he would be comfortable speaking with anyone.
After a moment of silence, she finally asked what had been on her mind.
"So… why did you join the competition?"