Chapter 107: Childhood Sweetheart

Lukan smiled faintly as he listened from the side, but there was a trace of helplessness hidden in his warm eyes.

He had originally wanted to comfort Sora after hearing those females ridicule her. Instead, he discovered that she did not seem bothered in the slightest. Not only was she unconcerned, but she looked even happier than before, her lips curving into a bright smile as she steadily climbed the stone steps.

The corners of his lips unconsciously lifted as well.

She really was different.

Most females cared deeply about their appearance. If anyone mocked them, they would either cry or argue back. Yet Sora treated those harsh words as though they were nothing more than a breeze drifting past her ears.

Rather than feeling hurt, she seemed... excited.

Lukan couldn’t understand why, but watching her cheerful expression somehow made his own mood brighten.

She was truly an optimistic little female.

Behind them, Tisha frowned as she watched everything unfold.

She glanced at Sora, then at the gossiping females who were still whispering amongst themselves.

Why were they mocking her?

Even if Sora was plump, so what?

Those women had spent the entire climb secretly stealing glances at Lukan.

Tisha had noticed it long ago.

Their eyes practically sparkled every time they looked at the handsome werewolf.

Compared to Lukan, the beast husbands standing beside them looked utterly ordinary.

"Hmph."

Unable to tolerate it anymore, Tisha folded her arms across her chest.

"What exactly are you laughing at?"

Her sudden voice startled everyone.

The group of females turned around simultaneously.

Tisha lifted her chin proudly.

"None of your beast husbands are even half as handsome as hers."

"So what’s so funny?"

The mountain path instantly fell silent.

The females exchanged embarrassed glances.

It was true.

Ever since Sora and Lukan had appeared, they had been secretly admiring him.

His elegant white fur clothing, gentle temperament, refined appearance, and jade-like features made him stand out from every other beastman on the mountain.

They simply couldn’t understand why such an exceptional male had chosen a female like Sora.

Jealousy had quietly taken root in their hearts.

Mocking Sora was merely their way of venting that jealousy.

Now that Tisha had exposed their true thoughts in front of everyone, none of them had anything left to say.

Their expressions became awkward.

Some lowered their heads.

Others coughed lightly before pretending to focus on climbing.

The mocking voices disappeared completely.

Tisha snorted with satisfaction.

She looked toward Sora.

The latter merely smiled gently without saying a word, continuing her slow climb as though nothing had happened.

Seeing that calm reaction, Tisha felt even stranger.

She had expected Sora to either cry or become angry.

Instead...

She acted as though the entire incident wasn’t worth her attention.

What a peculiar female.

...

The mountain path grew steeper the higher they climbed.

Most beast husbands deliberately slowed their pace to accompany their mates.

Lukan naturally stayed beside Sora the entire time.

Whenever she stumbled slightly, he would instinctively stretch out a hand.

Whenever she paused to catch her breath, he silently waited beside her.

Neither of them spoke much.

Yet the quiet companionship felt unexpectedly comfortable.

After climbing for another stretch, Sora finally stopped.

She leaned forward slightly, placing both hands on her knees.

"Haa..."

She let out a soft breath.

"So tiring..."

She wasn’t complaining.

She simply hadn’t expected climbing the Divine Mountain to consume so much stamina.

Although she secretly wanted to lose weight, her current body still struggled under such intense exercise.

At that moment, one particular thought suddenly surfaced.

Milk tea.

If she could drink a warm cup of milk tea right now...

That would be absolute heaven.

The idea appeared so vividly that she immediately straightened.

"If I want it..."

"...I’ll just make it."

Her eyes sparkled.

Without hesitation, she removed the clay pot hanging from her back before taking out the leather pouch containing the tea leaves she had picked earlier.

Lukan watched curiously.

The moment he saw the green leaves, realization flashed across his face.

"So you’re making that drink."

He still remembered her mentioning milk tea.

Although he had never tasted it before, he had complete confidence in Sora’s cooking.

Everything she made turned into something delicious.

Without waiting for instructions, he immediately walked toward the nearby bushes and gathered dry branches.

Soon, he returned carrying an armful of firewood.

Sora looked up and smiled.

"Thank you."

That single smile made Lukan’s ears twitch slightly.

He quietly arranged the branches before starting a small fire.

Meanwhile, Sora gently spread the fresh tea leaves inside the clay pot.

Fresh tea leaves couldn’t simply be boiled.

If she wanted real tea fragrance instead of grassy bitterness, they first needed to be stir-fried.

Fortunately, the leaves had already wilted slightly after remaining inside the leather pouch for some time.

She continuously stirred them with a wooden spatula.

The leaves slowly softened.

Their bright green color gradually deepened into a rich dark emerald before turning brownish-green.

Soon...

An elegant fragrance drifted into the air.

It was fresh.

Earthy.

Refreshing.

Several nearby beastmen instinctively turned toward the scent.

"What is that smell?"

"It smells... strange."

"But strangely pleasant."

After the tea leaves released their fragrance, Sora poured previously boiled water into the clay pot.

Steam immediately rose.

She allowed the tea to steep quietly before using two handmade wooden chopsticks to remove every leaf.

Then came the honey.

Golden honey slowly dissolved into the warm tea.

Finally...

She uncorked the bamboo bottle containing fresh yak milk.

White milk flowed into the fragrant tea.

The colors blended together beautifully as she stirred gently.

The aroma instantly changed.

Instead of simple tea...

It became rich, creamy, sweet, and soothing.

Even before tasting it, everyone nearby subconsciously swallowed.

The exhausted travelers all stopped climbing.

One after another, heads turned toward Sora.

The sweet fragrance floated down the mountain path like an invisible hand, pulling everyone’s attention toward the little clay pot.

Sora, however, seemed completely oblivious.

She carefully scooped one bowl and handed it to Lukan.

"For you."

Lukan accepted it without hesitation.

The warm clay bowl felt pleasantly heavy in his hands.

He took a cautious sip.

The rich milk blended perfectly with the refreshing tea, while the honey left behind a gentle sweetness that wasn’t overwhelming.

His silver eyes widened ever so slightly.

Delicious.

Unexpectedly delicious.

Seeing his reaction, Sora couldn’t help smiling before pouring another bowl for herself.

She took a long sip.

"Mmm..."

Her eyes narrowed happily.

"It tastes exactly the way I imagined."

If only she had pearls...

Or pudding...

Or coconut jelly...

Unfortunately, those ingredients didn’t exist here.

Still...

Being able to drink homemade milk tea halfway up a sacred mountain in this primitive world already felt luxurious enough.

Around them, countless pairs of eyes stared fixedly at the steaming bowls.

Finally, one female couldn’t hold herself back.

"Excuse me..."

"What exactly are you drinking?"

"It smells wonderful."

Everyone immediately perked up.

Their expressions clearly carried another question.

Can we have some too?

Sora noticed their eager looks.

She calmly lowered her bowl.

"I’m sorry."

"I only made enough for us."

She wasn’t being stingy.

There simply wasn’t enough.

Besides...

She hadn’t forgotten how these same people had laughed at her only moments ago.

Ignoring insults didn’t mean forgetting them.

The atmosphere turned awkward.

Nobody could refute her.

Not far away, Tisha had been secretly watching ever since Sora began cooking.

She had seen the strange process.

Frying leaves.

Adding water.

Mixing honey.

Pouring milk.

Every step seemed bizarre.

Yet...

The final fragrance was unbelievably tempting.

Her pride repeatedly warned her not to look.

Don’t stare.

You’ll embarrass yourself.

Especially after arguing with them earlier.

But...

Her nose refused to cooperate.

It kept following the delicious aroma.

Before she realized it, she was already standing nearby.

Sora noticed her.

She remembered how Tisha had unexpectedly defended her earlier against the mocking females.

Although the girl had an arrogant personality...

She wasn’t entirely bad.

Without saying anything, Sora quietly poured another bowl.

She walked over and extended it.

"My name is Kaelira."

"What’s yours?"

Tisha blinked in disbelief.

She hadn’t expected Sora to actually offer her some.

For a few seconds, she simply stared.

Sora raised an eyebrow.

"Don’t want it?"

"I’ll take it back."

"I do!"

"I want it!"

Tisha reacted instantly.

Between pride...

...and delicious food...

She chose food in less than three seconds.

Carefully accepting the warm bowl, she mumbled,

"My name is Tisha."

"Sora."

Sora smiled warmly before extending her hand.

"It’s nice to meet you."

Confused, Tisha looked down at the strange gesture.

"...What is this?"

"It’s called a handshake."

"It means we’re greeting each other."

Somewhat awkwardly, Tisha reached out.

Sora gently shook her hand.

"Thank you."

"This milk tea is my gift to thank you for speaking up for me earlier."

Tisha stared at her.

No one had ever thanked her in such a straightforward way before.

For a moment...

She didn’t know what to say.

Instead, she hurriedly lifted the bowl and took a sip.

The instant the warm milk tea entered her mouth...

Her eyes lit up.

"So good..."

Her voice was almost trembling.

This was unlike anything she had ever tasted.

Sweet.

Fragrant.

Smooth.

The milk and tea blended together perfectly.

Before she knew it, she had finished the entire bowl.

She even looked at the empty bowl with reluctant disappointment.

No wonder Sora was so plump...

If she could eat and drink things this delicious every day...

She would probably gain weight too.

Far away, several females watched with envy.

Only Tisha received milk tea.

Meanwhile, a small fox-eared boy timidly approached Sora.

He looked no older than six or seven.

His fluffy ears twitched nervously.

"Pretty Sister..."

His sweet little voice instantly melted hearts.

"Can I... have just a little milk tea?"

Sora blinked.

Where had this adorable child come from?

Weren’t the pilgrims all couples?

Lukan quietly explained,

"He’s this year’s Holy Child."

"The Holy Child also joins the pilgrimage to pray to the Mountain God."

"I see."

Sora smiled gently.

"Wait here."

"Sister will pour you a bowl."

She carefully filled a smaller bowl before adding several pieces of homemade candied fruit she had prepared earlier.

"These are delicious too."

"You can have them."

The little boy’s fox ears stood straight up with excitement.

"Thank you, Pretty Sister!"

He hugged the bowl tightly before grinning brightly.

"You and your beast husband will definitely have a beautiful little cub one day."

Sora’s cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

"W-What are you saying..."

Beside her, Lukan simply smiled.

His gaze rested quietly on Sora.

After a long pause, he spoke softly.

"...You were just as adorable when you were little."

Sora froze.

"I... was?"

Lukan nodded slowly.

"You were very fair."

"Very beautiful."

"Mark always carried you around."

"He wouldn’t even let me hold you."

Sora stared blankly.

"So... you’ve known me since childhood?"

A faint smile appeared in Lukan’s eyes.

"Yes."

"But something funny always happened."

"When Mark held you..."

"...you cried."

"But whenever I carried you..."

"...you laughed."

"So your mother often asked me to watch over you."

Realization suddenly dawned inside Sora.

No wonder.

No wonder Lukan had trusted her from the very beginning.

No wonder he had always looked at her differently.

It wasn’t because of some mysterious instinct.

It wasn’t merely affection.

Long before they became mates...

He had already been protecting her.

Perhaps...

His heart had begun remembering her long before hers ever remembered him.