Azul was now more confused than ever. Why was being naked considered shameful? Beastmen used to be naked all the time, and clothes were a new habit they only started a few years ago to avoid sunburn and freezing at night.
Beastkin also often bathed together in rivers—beastmen and beastwomen—and no one ever complained about it.
[Could it be… he did that because he thinks I'm his wife?] Roxanna's thoughts spiraled. [The evil Roxanna did abuse him, but being naked in front of your spouse is normal. It would be weirder if he suddenly got naked in front of someone else.]
All the beastmen turned pale at the same time. 'Being naked in front of someone besides your spouse… is weird?!'
"That—"
"Yeah, you should really cover up," Calen cut in before Azul could speak. "You look like you're about to mate with someone."
Roxanna's face turned even redder as the system gleefully chimed inside her head.
[This is your chance, Host! MATE NOW! +5 days life reward!]
Roxanna nearly threw the coconut shell at the floating panel.
[Shut up! I can't just have sex with one of them while the others watch like an audience!]
Even the evil Roxanna only did those kinds of things behind closed doors, never in public. And now that she knew the original Roxanna had forced herself on these men again and again, she started to think that maybe… they were terrified at the idea of having sex with her.
She understood that feeling well. She didn't even like it when her ex-husband touched her after all the times he forced himself on her.
They were fellow survivors of abusive spouses, so they must have the same thoughts, right?
[Maybe… I'd rather die than force one of them to mate with me.] Roxanna thought sadly. [The system gave me 48 hours, so I still have two days left to live.]
What a pity…
This place felt like heaven, except for the demon beasts trying to kill her. Still, she finally got to taste fresh fruit after two whole years of only eating canned food. That alone was more than enough.
She still had around 45 hours left. If they left the cave tomorrow morning, she would have over 30 hours to explore this world a little more.
[These beastmen let me sit by the warm fire, gave me water, and even food. If I'm really going to die… then I want to leave something good behind for them.]
On the other side, all of the beastmen panicked internally and screamed inside their hearts. 'Die?! This kind Roxanna is going to die soon?!'
Why did the universe allow the evil one to live so long, but wanted to take the kind one away in only two days?
It wasn't fair at all!
No, no, no. They wouldn't let that happen!
From what they overheard in her thoughts, the husbands finally understood something important: Roxanna needed to mate with one of them to stay alive.
They still didn't understand who came up with such a ridiculous rule, but right now, all they cared about was how to save this kind Roxanna before time ran out.
Some of them even considered asking her to mate right now, but they immediately stopped when they remembered that she hated the idea of doing something so intimate in front of a crowd.
With that in mind, they all reached the same conclusion: They would ask her to mate when they were alone with her!
They hated it when the evil Roxanna forced them like they were nothing but toys, but this one was different.
This Roxanna cried because she felt guilty, healed them without hesitation, and looked at them with kindness instead of cruelty
Her body might be the same, but since her soul was different, the experience would be very different too!
Besides, this wasn't just about mating, this was about saving her life!
[Ding! Azul's affection increased by 5%]
[Ding! Calen's affection increased by 5%]
[Ding! Cyrus's affection increased by 5%]
[Ding! Luan's affection increased by 5%]
[Ding! Zeir's affection increased by 5%]
Roxanna almost choked on air when all of her husbands' affection suddenly went up by 5%.
She literally did nothing!!
"If you really hate seeing me naked, then I'll… cover up a little," Azul sighed in defeat. It was clear he didn't understand why nudity was a problem, but he was trying.
He stretched out his hand toward the others and said, "Lend me your top."
When none of them moved to give him their clothes, Azul simply reached over and forcefully took the shirt from Calen, who was sitting closest to him.
"Hey! That shirt is to cover my chest, not your ass!" Calen shouted in horror.
Azul just gave him a tired smile. "Can you let it go for once? I almost died getting eaten by crocodiles earlier. Don't make me angry now by talking nonsense."
Calen's eyes widened. Azul… talking back? Azul, the gentle softie who usually spoke like a polite butler?
"H-How dare you talk to me like that?!" Calen yelled. "I'm two years older than you!"
Azul ignored him completely and tied Calen's shirt around his hips to cover the very obvious and very large thing between his legs.
He was about to continue arguing when he suddenly felt a light tap on his arm. When he turned his head, he saw Roxanna holding out several fruits in both hands like she was offering a gift.
"Azul… I'm really sorry," she said nervously. Even though the evil Roxanna was the one who threw him into the lake, she was now using that same body, so Azul must still hold a grudge against her.
She knew a few fruits wouldn't erase the trauma of almost becoming crocodile dinner, but she truly wanted him to feel better.
"I won't throw you into the lake anymore," she blurted out, her ruby eyes looking straight into Azul's blue ones. "I… I know you must be angry at me, but… please eat this first. Maybe you'll feel better after filling your empty stomach."
Her hands trembled slightly.
[Will he smack my hands away because I annoyed him?] Roxanna thought nervously.
[I still don't understand why their affection percentage keeps increasing, but maybe it's because I haven't talked much today.]
[My ex-husband also didn't hit me that often if I stayed quiet and kept my mouth shut.]
Her heart squeezed painfully at that last thought. She really wanted to believe that these husbands… weren't like that.
A moment later, Azul finally moved. He lifted his hand, causing Roxanna to flinch slightly. But instead of smacking the fruits away, Azul gently placed his hand on her head and patted her softly, like she was a small fox needing comfort.
"I'm not angry anymore." His tone changed completely the moment he spoke to her. His voice was so soft, like a melody comforting the ears.
He lowered his head a little and looked at her with a gentle smile. "Thank you… for the fruits," he whispered.
Roxanna's eyes widened because his touch felt so warm and gentle. It was like being touched by a soft fire after freezing for two whole years.
She didn't know why, but this kind of warmth made her feel safe… and for some reason, it made her want to cry.