Villainess is being pampered by her beast husbands
Chapter 37 --37

Chapter 37: Chapter-37

And soon, they would reach the sheep beastman tribe. Cutie said the sheep people were gentle and full of warmth. They believed in energy, in kindness, and they always treated travelers with care. Kaya hoped that was true. Her heart needed a place like that.

She still wasn’t sure if this world was a dream, some fantasy her mind made up, or a new reality she had to live with. But deep down, she already knew the answer.

One evening, while resting near the trees, Kaya’s curiosity got the better of her. She reached out and lightly touched Cutie’s soft, furry ear.

"Eek!" he yelped, jumping back with his face bright red. "Don’t touch them! They’re... they’re really sensitive!"

Kaya burst into laughter. "You’re so dramatic," she teased, smiling at his embarrassment.

Cutie turned away, muttering something under his breath, ears twitching wildly.

.

.

.

After walking for what felt like hours, Kaya finally reached the river. The path to this place had been wrapped in shadows—dense trees blocking out most of the light. It had been dim and quiet, almost suffocating. But now, standing before the wide stretch of water, she found herself blinking under the open sky.

The sunlight hit the river just right, breaking into shards of gold that danced on the surface. The water glittered like stars scattered across a black velvet sky. If not for the urgency pressing at her—finding shelter before nightfall—Kaya might have sat down right there, letting the moment swallow her whole.

"It’s beautiful," Cutie said softly, almost to himself.

Kaya turned, half-smiling. "What? Never seen a river before?"

He didn’t answer right away. His gaze was fixed—not just on the river, but on everything. The quiet rush of the current, the golden light, the wide sky—and her. All of it together.

"It’s not that..." he said at last, his voice lower, more thoughtful. "It’s just the first time I’ve seen it like this. Alone. Not with my tribe. Not from behind someone else."

She tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her expression. But he didn’t explain further. He didn’t need to.

Because his eyes drifted to her again.

The river was glistening, yes—but so was she. The sun traced her silhouette in a halo of warmth. Her hair whipped gently in the breeze, and her eyes, narrowed slightly against the light, held the kind of peace he’d never seen before. Not in his village. Not in his memories.

And in that still moment, it wasn’t the landscape that left him breathless.

It was her.

Kaya stood still for a few more seconds, her eyes drinking in the scenery. Then, with a small exhale, she turned around, her gaze landing on Cutie. A warm, mischievous smile tugged at her lips.

"Where’s the little sparrow?" she asked casually, as if inquiring about something as simple as the weather.

Cutie froze for a brief second, blinking. "Oh... right. The sparrow." He reached behind and unhooked the bag from his back, hesitating slightly before setting it down. "It’s... in here."

Just as he began untying the flap, the bag shifted. Inside, the so-called sparrow — now no longer the tiny, pocket-sized creature it used to be — twitched in its sleep, feathers ruffling.

What does this woman want from me again? it seemed to grumble internally, its expression annoyed even in slumber.

Ever since the little beast had grown — now roughly the size of a chicken — Kaya could no longer stuff it into her coat pocket. So, with zero hesitation and not an ounce of ceremony, she had simply thrown it onto Cutie and made him carry it.

As Cutie finally loosened the bag and opened it, the creature stirred, blinking slowly. Kaya leaned in, reached down, and casually grabbed it by the wings.

"Oops— sorry. It’s not that little anymore," she remarked cheerfully, lifting it with a glint in her eyes. "Miss me, huh?"

The sparrow — or rather, oversized grumpy bird — glared at her with a look of pure, unfiltered loathing.

Seeing that look, Kaya only grinned wider, unfazed. "Looks like you had no trouble finding your way all the way here."

And that sweet smile...

Oh no.

That smile.

The sparrow’s feathers bristled. A sharp, sinking feeling clawed into its gut.

Wait. No. She wouldn’t.

Without a word of warning—

Kaya hurled the sparrow straight toward the river.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHH—"

The world spun. Wind roared in its ears. Life flashed before its eyes—brief flashes of breadcrumbs, sunbathing, and the terrifying woman with the death smile.

WHY AM I ALWAYS THE ONE BEING THROWN?!

With a tragic, full-bodied SPLASH, the sparrow hit the river, wings flailing, soaking wet, dignity shredded.

Cutie just stood there, mouth slightly open, face pale. He stared at the spot where the sparrow had vanished under the water.

He trembled, his voice barely a whisper in his mind:

"Thank the gods I never showed her my beast form..."

The surface of the river rippled. Peaceful again. Serene.

As if nothing — absolutely nothing — had just been thrown into it moments ago.

Cutie continued to stare in stunned silence, still processing the sound of that splash.

Kaya, meanwhile, dusted off her hands, completely unbothered. "He’s fine," she said, glancing at the water with a satisfied little nod. "Birds like baths, don’t they?"

Then—

WHOOSH.

A sudden gust of wind surged up from the riverbank.

Cutie blinked as a drenched, miserable, absolutely fuming mass of feathers rose from the river like a soggy demon summoned from the depths. Wings spread wide. Water cascading dramatically from its body. Each flap of its wings sent droplets flying everywhere, sparkling in the sunlight like glittering sparks of vengeance.

The sparrow hovered there in the air, dripping wet, eyes locked on Kaya like a tiny, furious god of retribution.

You dare? his gaze seemed to scream.

His entire body trembled—not from cold, but from the sheer weight of his rage. If he had eyebrows, they would be arched in betrayal. If he had hands, they’d be shaking fists.

Kaya tilted her head, looking up with an amused smirk. "Oh? You came back?"