After Linda handed the drawings to Scliff, the atmosphere changed.
No one said anything outright, but the discomfort was obvious. The way their brows furrowed, the way their eyes lingered too long on the sketches, as if the paper itself might bite them….
But the truth of the matter was Carrots. Lettuce. Milk-producing beasts. Oil. Spices. These were things that, in the beast world, were either considered poisonous, useless, or simply unheard of.
Scliff folded the papers carefully, as though touching them directly might curse him. 'She's just a dangerous beast woman. Or simply trouble maker! What would the beastkind think if they see these poisonous things in our possessions?!'
Scliff frowned. 'And she wants us to capture a beast-bull? Hmph! Why happened to the beast-deer meat?! Not sweet enough?'
Gaffer too did not speak.
His expression hardened in restraint. He was really holding himself so he wouldn't get mad. What would the Scales Tribe Council think if news reaches them about these drawings?
'First she plays with water, now dangerous plants and beast men.'
And shortly after, without another word, he stood and left.
"…"
Linda noticed it and frowned too.
Why were they all acting like they wouldn't benefit the most from her garden when the time comes? Ungrateful!
When the room finally emptied and the servants dispersed, she followed Gaffer.
Gaffer's chambers were tucked away from the rest of the palace in a quieter and older place. When Linda stepped inside, she paused.
The room was… unexpected.
It was dark, yes, but not cold. Heavy pink curtains framed tall windows, filtering the light into something soft and slightly dim. The furniture was carved delicately, almost elegantly.
There was nothing sharp or aggressive. There were soft cushions, muted colors, and faint floral carvings along the bedpost and shelves.
It was like a woman's room.
It was too warm and too gentle and almost too tender.
Linda stood there for a moment, confused.
This did not look like the room of a beast king revered across tribes.
Gafar stood near the table by the window, his back to her. But he had already sensed she was there.
She walked closer.
On the table, she saw the contract marriage and her falsified paw signature.
Her heart tightened.
She reached for it, hesitating only briefly before pulling it closer. She lifted her gaze to him.
He turned and their eyes met. "Yes?"
Linda gestured toward the contract, then pointed at herself, then at him. Slowly and deliberately, she made a small circle with her finger between them.
'What are we?' She was asking.
Gaffer inhaled quietly. "What are you talking about? That is not a sketch paper, if you want to sketch more… things."
He definitely knew what she was referring to but chose to vent mildly. She was going to be the fall of his authority if she kept doing these strange things. It was a pity he had already given his word concerning the garden and couldn't take it back!
Linda rolled her eyes.
She gestured again asking, 'What is our relationship?'
"Marriage. You are my wife."
"…"
So it was real? Linda thought.
She gestured again saying, 'How did we get married when I wasn't even here to say I do? Was this necessary? What if I do not want this plus do you love me or something?'
Gaffer made sure to pay attention to her gestures until she was done and satisfied. He had folded his arms and was staring at her like she was a very uninteresting show as she gestured.
"What is between me and you is my son," he replied calmly, "You don't have to be too hard on yourself about it. It's just for convenience."
"…"
He continued, his voice steady, controlled. "My son needs a guardian and you are a beast guardian. I want someone who won't harm him and you are also a woman."
He did not mention the fact that the council pressured himself into doing this.
He did not mention pressure from his heart that if he didn't do this the council would sell off the vital growth source of his son.
He did not also mention his own growing attachment and interest for little white.
Linda stared at him for a long moment. Then she gestured again.
She pointed to the space between them, then flattened her palm sharply in the air. He was drawing a line between them and it was clear, so it was only fair to ask.
'You are drawing a line between us?' She asked.
Gaffer did not deny it. He didn't say a word and only kept an indifferent face.
Linda's shoulders dropped slightly. She was starting to like Gaffer but he didn't seem to like her too.
Fine.
She gestured again, slower this time. One hand touched her chest. Then she made a small heart shape, clumsy but clear. She let it fall away, then pointed toward the door.
'If anything happens… I was asking because I want to get married to someone I love for real. But if it's because of your son…'
She pointed downward, grounding herself.
'I will stay in my place.'
Gaffer's gaze darkened, but he said nothing.
Then Linda gestured again, asking another question.
She pointed outward, then mimed a smaller figure, shorter, childlike.
'Where is your son?'
For the first time, Gaffer hesitated.
"He is with his grand uncle at an old house," he said.
Linda nodded.
She straightened, then gestured to herself, then mimed holding something gently.
'Then I will take my leave.'
She turned to leave.
Before she could step away fully, she paused. She turned back and stepped closer to Gaffer.
Gaffer looked down at her, wondering what she was thinking and trying to do.
Without warning, Linda rose on her toes and pressed a quick, light kiss to his chest area. She was aiming for the cheek or neck but she was just too short.
The kiss was a soft, brief and innocent one.
Then she pulled back, nodded once, and left the room. The door closed quietly behind her.
Gaffer stood there, unmoving.
He raised a hand slowly and touched the place where her lips had been. It was his right nipple. His NIPPLE! How could she be so… so bold and cute at the same time.
It was an innocent kiss but it was guilty at the same thing.
"…Foolish," he murmured, feeling his face getting hot.
**SPROUT!**
Gaffer suddenly felt his dragon horn shoot out of his skull. "!!!"