Netori Harem: New life as a hunter and gatherer-Chapter 46: Escape

Roxanne had been working silently in her study when a voice called out from behind, "Am I disturbing you?"

She hummed in surprise before glancing over her shoulder.

"Luke, is it? What are you doing here?" She slowly rose to her feet, her red lips faintly curved as she turned to face him.

Luke shrugged. "I just got my clothes dirty, so I used the chance to come see you."

Roxanne chuckled. "You can always come to meet me. There’s no need to make excuses. You are a benefactor, after all."

Roxanne’s opinion of the young man had shifted greatly after what he did for them last night. She had wanted to meet him today and thank him properly, but she couldn’t because of the celebration held by her mate.

Luke’s brows lifted slightly as he asked, "What happened, Lady Roxanne? You don’t seem like yourself today."

Roxanne was taken aback by the question. "What do you mean? Is it the way I dressed?" She glanced down at herself. She did look somewhat disheveled, but she had been working when he entered the room.

Luke shook his head. "It’s not your appearance, it’s your smile. It feels like you’re sad, yet forcing yourself to smile."

Roxanne’s heart trembled at those words, and her smile faltered.

Looking down, she asked quietly, "Did you hear someone talking about it?"

Luke shook his head. "You could say that, but their words weren’t needed for me to realize something is troubling you."

He then stepped forward and rested a warm hand on her shoulder. Giving it a gentle squeeze, he said, "I know I’m nothing more than a stranger to you, but trust me just this once and share your grief with me."

Roxanne found herself pushed into a strange corner by a young man who shouldn’t have sounded so mature and responsible at his age.

However, it was true that something had been bothering her. Being gently pressed by him, she couldn’t stop herself from confessing.

"It’s nothing serious, actually. A man like the chief having more than one mate is perfectly normal."

Luke understood her situation immediately. So the chief had returned home with another mate.

With another partner beside him, Roxanne’s authority and the attention she received from the chief would inevitably be divided.

Well, he could relate to the chief. But saying that to Roxanne right now would only ruin the moment.

So he rested his other hand on her shoulder as well and gently urged her to look at him. "So that’s why you locked yourself up in here, trying to keep your mind distracted, huh?"

Roxanne didn’t meet his gaze, because it was the truth.

Luke thought for a moment before muttering, "I think you need to take a walk in the fresh air to wash away these heavy thoughts." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Roxanne blinked in surprise. "At this hour?"

Luke nodded. "Yeah. Come on, let’s go." He grabbed her hand and began pulling her along. His hand became smudged with mud as well, but he didn’t care.

"But... there are so many people in the hall..." Roxanne muttered. However, the way she allowed herself to be pulled along made it clear that she wasn’t unwilling.

Luke winked at her. "I remember there was a back door too. Let’s sneak out and enjoy some quiet time together."

Roxanne’s eyes widened slightly. Was she really sneaking out of her own house just because a young boy suggested it?

Somehow, the risk alone was enough to distract her mind from the woman her mate had brought home today.

Luke carefully listened for any approaching footsteps as he led Roxanne downstairs.

It felt like a small prison break, as neither of them spoke while quietly making their way down.

Just then, they heard a few men approaching, their loud chatter alerting the two.

Luke instantly pulled Roxanne behind a pillar, pressing her against it as he glanced over her shoulder to look at the men.

For some reason, Roxanne felt her heart racing as his body pressed against hers. Something about the situation made her body grow warm and her heart restless.

But she didn’t feel uncomfortable. Rather... she was enjoying it.

"Come with me," she suddenly said, grabbing his hand and leading him through a dark corridor toward the back entrance of the house.

Luke couldn’t stop himself from grinning at her proactiveness.

Just as she was about to open the door, Luke suddenly pulled her into his arms, making her freeze on the spot.

His masculine scent stirred something in her body that she couldn’t quite understand.

Just then, Luke whispered, "There is a guard. Wait... I will do something."

Luke slowly released her and took a small stone from his Inventory. Yes, he store pebbles in there as well.

He looked at one of the bushes and threw it there.

"Who is there?" The guard instantly stiffened and began charging at the bush with his spear raised.

Luke immediately lifted Roxanne into his arms, shifting his Intelligence and Endurance stats into Speed before dashing away from the house as fast as he could.

"Ah..." Roxanne yelped when he suddenly came to a stop, and she found herself standing outside her own house.

Luke grinned and asked, "So... how was it? Your first house escape?"

Roxanne slowly stepped down from his arms, her cheeks flushed and her breathing slightly unsteady. She patted her heaving chest as she muttered, "It was... exciting."

Luke chuckled. "Glad you liked it."

Just then, the system notified him,

[Snatching the chief’s mate from right under his nose... truly, host, you are one of a kind.]

[Secret quest reward: 30G, Stamina Potion x1]

Luke chuckled inwardly as he looked at the rewards.

Just then, Roxanne asked, "So? What are you going to do now?"

Luke shrugged. "Nothing... I will just try to be good company and help you forget your worries." He extended his hand toward her and said, "For these few minutes we have, I won’t treat you as the chief’s mate. To me, you’re just Roxanne. Is that okay?"

Roxanne couldn’t stop herself from smiling at that. She took his hand and nodded.

"Alright, Luke. I am in your care."