Chapter 119: The Former Chief And The Revelation!
Neve woke up the next morning, feeling a bit depressed and tired at the same time.
He did not know if it was because of the pregnancy pheromones still affecting his body or the fact that Soren did not end up sending a messenger to him yesterday. Both possibilities were equally frustrating.
He felt frustrated that Soren was going to act like he did not care about his people. Act like the housing crisis was not his problem. Act like people were not dying in the cold while he sat in his comfortable cave.
Neve pressed his eyes shut, hoping he would not get emotional. But he could not help it. Tears started to form at the corners of his eyes anyway.
He had just woken up. The first thing he did was cry. It was pathetic. It was weak. But he could not control it anymore.
He was wiping the tears off his eyes when Cael walked into the bedroom.
The leopard prince saw Neve wiping his eyes and rushed immediately to kneel between his legs. He cupped Neve’s cheeks gently, lowering his head to meet his eyes at eye level.
"What is the matter, Neve?" Cael asked, his voice filled with concern.
"It’s nothing," Neve sniffed, pressing his eyes shut again, trying to hold back more tears.
"Hey, look at me," Cael said firmly and Neve snapped his eyes open obediently.
"It’s obviously not nothing," Cael continued. "Let me know what happened. Tell me what’s bothering you."
"Did Soren send anyone here?" Neve asked desperately.
Cael slowly shook his head.
"I’m not sure. I came pretty late last night and you were already asleep," Cael said. "But still, I doubt that he did. If he had sent a messenger, I would have heard about it from the others."
Neve felt his heart sink.
"Soren rejected my request to help the villagers," Neve said, his voice shaking slightly. "What if they suffer and die because of the cold? What if people freeze to death while Soren just sits there doing nothing?"
Cael pulled Neve closer to him, wrapping his arms around the red panda.
"Sorin mentioned something about meeting my father," Cael said gently. "The old chief. Why don’t you eat something and escort me to meet him? Maybe he can help us convince Soren. Maybe he still has some influence over his son."
Neve nodded slowly. It was worth a try. At least the former chief would understand the urgency of the situation.
He managed to get up from the bed slowly, holding his stomach carefully.
Cael placed his hand over Neve’s stomach without being asked. His touch was gentle and protective.
He had not even stood up yet. He leaned forward from his kneeling position and kissed Neve’s stomach through his clothes.
"They are doing well, aren’t they?" Cael asked, his voice filled with wonder and tenderness.
"I don’t know," Neve replied honestly. "It’s my first time being pregnant. I have no idea what to expect or how things are supposed to feel."
"Ha!" Cael shook his head at Neve’s answer, trying not to laugh at the situation. "We should probably see Gideon later. He can check on you and make sure everything is progressing normally."
Neve agreed and they went to the main cave. The space was somehow almost empty. Popi was the only one sitting at the corner, looking bored out of her mind.
"Where did all the others go?" Neve asked.
"They decided to help with the security of the village," Cael explained. "That’s why I’m able to spend today with you instead of going out."
Neve looked at him and smiled even though something felt off. It felt like Cael was hiding something from him. But he pushed the feeling aside. He was just happy that all of the people close to him were so nice to each other and so willing to help him.
He blushed at the thought of it as he stretched his hand and made a face.
"I’m hoping to go to the river to take a bath, even if it’s iced over," Neve said, pulling a strand of his hair with his finger like he was disgusted by his own hygiene. "Actually, all of us need to take a bath. We’re all getting dirty."
"It’s too cold," Cael said immediately, looking at Popi for backup. "Right?"
Popi shrugged casually.
"Whatever Neve says, we’ll have to listen to him," she said simply. "After all, he’s carrying your cubs and you know nothing about hygiene, do you?"
Cael frowned and looked away. Neve almost laughed. This was the first time seeing Cael completely powerless against someone. The leopard prince who was willing to do anything for Neve, was being put in his place by Popi’s matter-of-fact comment.
"Thank you, Popi!" Neve gave her a thumbs up and turned toward the kitchen. "I’ll find some fruits to eat before we leave."
.
.
After an hour of eating and preparing, Cael, Neve, and Popi, who was too bored to stay home alone, went to see the former chief.
He was now staying in what had been Soren’s cave when he was sick in a coma. The same cave where Gideon had spent years trying to cure his brother. But since Soren had taken over as chief, he had moved into the former chief’s cave. So the old man was now living in his old cave again.
As they approached the entrance, they could hear coughs and voices from inside.
Neve increased his pace and entered quickly.
He saw Gideon helping his father take his herbs. The physician was holding a cup of the herbal mixture, carefully bringing it to the old chief’s lips.
Gideon looked absolutely exhausted. There were deep black circles under his eyes. His skin was pale. His movements were sluggish like he had been working non-stop without rest.
Neve rushed forward and took the herbs from Gideon without asking.
"I’ll help him," Neve said.
"I can’t let you do that," Gideon protested, reaching out to take the herbs back. "He sometimes throws fits. What if he hits you and your stomach, Neve? You’re pregnant. You can’t afford to get injured."
"What? Neve," Cael called his name from behind, worried about what Neve was doing.
But Neve refused to stop. He walked closer to the old man who looked calm but unconscious on the bed.
"Neve!" Cael yelled his name again, his protective instinct in overdrive.
"I’m fine," Neve replied over his shoulder and sat down on the other side of the hard bed, opposite where Gideon stood.
Neve leaned closer and brought the herbs closer to the old chief’s mouth. The man’s lips parted automatically and Neve poured the herbal mixture in gently. The old chief drank it slowly, his body responding to the liquid nourishment.
For the next five minutes, Neve helped him drink all of the herbs. His movements were gentle like he had been doing this for years instead of just minutes.
When he finished, he handed the empty cup back to Gideon.
"Thank you, Neve," Gideon said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "What could I have done without you? I’ve been losing my mind trying to care for him alone."
"If you give him from the left side, he’ll accept it more easily," Neve smiled, handing him the remaining herbs. "Try approaching from that side next time."
"Ah, thank you," Gideon said, blinking repeatedly. He turned to Cael and lowered his gaze respectfully.
"Why have you come here?" he asked. "Is it to talk to father about Soren?"
"Yes," Neve replied. "We need to tell the chief... I mean, former chief about our plan. We need to convince Soren to accept our help with the village housing."
"Huh? Accept what?" Gideon interrupted suddenly and looked over at Cael with a meaningful expression. "You didn’t inform Neve about it?"
"He’s pregnant," Cael said defensively. "He doesn’t need more stress. He doesn’t need news that will upset him."
Neve looked genuinely surprised at their exchange.
"What’s happening?" Neve asked, his voice becoming urgent. "What are you two talking about? What didn’t Cael tell me?"
"Since I’m a physician, I’ll tell you," Gideon said, stepping forward.
"Gideon, do not," Cael said, trying to stop him, his hand reaching out.
But Gideon did not listen.
"Soren killed a beastman from the tiger tribe yesterday," he said bluntly.
The words hung in the air like a bomb.
"Wh... what?!" Neve’s jaw dropped.