The Path of a Black Sheep in a Fantasy World (BL)

Chapter 84

Lost on you by LP~

"W-what's the matter? I didn't even touch you!" Adam exclaimed as the tribe's chief continued to wail loudly. He nervously stepped back, expecting an army of warriors to barge into the tent and attack them for making their chief cry. When no one entered the tent after a few minutes, Adam concluded that they were somewhat safe.

The old lady finally started to calm down, her wails becoming quieter and turning into soft sobs. Adam took this time to look her up and down.

She was a little thing, just reaching his chest. She had dark brown skin covered in wrinkles and scars, the proof of all the years of hardship she must have spent to make the tribe thrive. She had a gentle but stern face, her puffy eyes surrounding dark gems-like iris. Like all Aleksy's tribe's members, she was covered in tattoos, tales of adventures and dangers overcome.

All in all, she inspired respect.

Well, she would if she could stop crying like a baby.

"Sorry, the emotions were too strong... Come sit here." The chief said, beckoning for Adam and the rest to sit down on small cushions in front of a ground table. They did so, making sure to maintain a good distance between them and the lady. She seemed saddened by this reflex, but just shook her head sadly.

The elder took a tea service and poured them all herbal tea in cups seemingly made of earth. It was the first time the visitors had seen such cups, and smelt such strong herbal tea. The nobles normally used ceramic cups and had light teas.

Adam had planned to avoid drinking anything served, but before he could react, Blaze was already drowning down his cup.

"Blaze!" Adam exclaimed, surprised by the fox's acts.

"Oh oh, it seems like you like my tea. Here, have some more, little one." The lady chuckled, pouring more tea in the fox's cup. Like an obedient child, the shifter thanked the chief before silently continuing to sip his tea. Adam's mouth hung open, but as the seconds passed and nothing happened, he decided to taste the tea. His mouth was pretty dry too.

He had just taken his first sip but then he found himself drowning the tea like Blaze had done. It was absolutely delicious, nothing like he had ever had before with his sister's leftovers from tea parties. It tasted strongly like mint, but had a chocolate and orange aftertaste. The warmth spread all around his body, ending near his chest and filling him with a relaxed feeling.

"I knew you would like it. Would you like some more, dear?" The elder asked, and against his best judgment, Adam nodded, offering her his empty cup. Evan and Ash also had a refill after ending theirs.

"My name's Athena, I'm the Alesky's tribe's current chief." Athena started the conversation after everyone had their refill, offering them small cookies on a plate. Adam watched her dip a cookie in her tea before munching on it. The warrior debated before doing the same. The cookie tasted great, a light lemon and ginger taste going well with the tea, not too strong.

"My name is Adam. This is my lover, Evan, and those are our children, Blaze and Ash." The warrior reciprocated the greeting, presenting his little family. Athena hummed as she watched them with narrowed eyes before nodding, looking pleased.

"You seem to have found a good family. Shifters are particularly liked by our tribe for their closeness with nature. Your husband seems completely entrenched by you, possessive but in a good way, such traits are well perceived in our tribe." The lady continued to nod in a satisfied manner, making Adam perplexed.

Weren't the tribe's members supposed to hate strangers???

Weren't they savages that felt no empathy for visitors???

Now, he felt like a daughter bringing the family she had in secret outside to her parents and receiving their approval. Things weren't exactly going as planned, but it kind of didn't seem too bad?

"Child, I will be frank. What do you know about your mother?" Athena suddenly turned serious, putting down her tea cup and looking at him in the eyes. Adam gulped and straightened his crouching shoulders. He debated telling her lies, but he felt like it was his only chance to be truthful.

"I don't know much. I don't have any memories of her. I found a pendant with her picture and me as a baby in her arms not too long ago. From what I can guess, my father must have met her outside his estate and knocked her up. His wife was already with him at that time and already gave him children, so he must have hid my mother so she could give birth to me safely. If rumors spread around of him sleeping with another woman, it could have consequences, so he must have forced her into confinement. His wife must have discovered my mom later on and ordered my father to kill her. Having a mistress would have been too much of a shame on their family... In the pendant's picture, I'm only a few months old, and she looks defeated. I think she must have made it in secret, and hid it with things for me in case something happened to her... She must have known her end was near." Adam explained the circumstances as best as he could, including his guest on the history as well.

"The picture... Can I see it, please?" Athena asked, looking once again on the verge of tears. Adam nodded, taking the pendant off from around his neck and holding it out before him. He put it down into the elder's shivering hands, fearing for a second that she would drop it under its weight. Luckily, she grasped it firmly and opened it.

As soon as her eyes glanced at the picture, the gates to the waterfall were opened once more as she gasped.

"Oh, Adeline... My sweet child... How could he..." Athena whimpered as she caressed the picture. Adam let out a shuddering breath at the revelation.

That old lady before him was his grandmother.

Hey dear readers, a part of the truth is revealed!

Were you expecting it?

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(1 030 words)