The Forest Wolves’ Vow
But the heir of Solinar, always carrying himself with dignity, felt the duty to smile softly and kindly at everyone. That was the way of someone who possessed a ‘noble personality’.
Arkin was about to return to his place when another hand shot up. “Um… I have a question!”
Princess Amalfi waved her arms in a flutter. Just from seeing her pink cheeks flushed, he could guess it was a question she was too embarrassed to ask plainly….
“Speak your mind.”
“Do all the men of Solinar really only have one spouse?”
Arkin fell silent for a moment. He had asked the same question before—why ask again? The urge to snap at her, You’re not even my spouse, so why are you so persistent?—stung his pride.
“You seem curious… Yes. The men of Solinar are like forest wolves. They choose and mark only one companion for their entire lives.”
“Ah, so… what I mean is… the heart and the form are separate! I’m just curious whether you really love your spouse! And…”
Amalfi turned her face scarlet and added in a tiny voice. “When I imagine sharing love… do you only think of one person…?”
Oooo! Waaaah! The atmosphere suddenly heated up. Everyone except Arkin seemed to be enjoying this moment. Even Draconis tilted his head slightly to listen intently.
“Um…”
Arkin let out a sigh. “I try to love the spouse I will marry. And the next question is… well…”
In the middle of so many people, he hadn’t expected his eyes to meet Nefetia’s. Or perhaps he had known it would? Had his gaze wandered toward her on its own?
“The men of Solinar do not imagine sharing love. Direct contact with your spouse is what matters.”
“Wait, no oral sex? Are you gay?”
Kaichen shouted in shock, and Amalfi looked at him with utter disgust as if he were an insect.
“That is correct.”
Arkin nodded with a rigid face. “From childhood I have taken the Oath of Chastity. A vow to keep both body and heart pure for my future spouse.”
Ugh. Zafiri’s ragged breathing suddenly sounded far too loud, and Arkin unconsciously lowered his gaze toward that direction. Zafiri and Nefetia met eyes and both looked startled. A hot wave surged in his stomach.
“It looks pitiful to me?”
Draconis shook his head mockingly, as if saying pity me. The spark of that pity had landed on the already chaotic fire in Arkin’s chest. Unable to contain his rising anger, Arkin replied coldly. “Why not? It’s better than a bitch in heat.”
The entire place fell silent as if cold water had been poured over it. Everyone stared with wide eyes, stunned by the haughty attitude of the normally polite Solinar prince.
“It is more than possible with training and cultivation. The men of Solinar take control of desire as an honor. Do our keeping body and heart pure without being flippant toward anyone seem ridiculous to you?”
“Enough. Respect others. It’s only natural that everyone lives differently.”
Seneca, arms crossed as he watched, cut their words short. Sensing it was time to end the session, he looked around. “Any more questions? One last one, only.”
One more question came. Princess Stella of the Star Kingdom, Astraria, showed interest. “I’d also like to hear about the prophecy abilities of the Solinar royal family. They say you converse with the forest spirits and have prophetic dreams?”
Arkin had no such ability. His mother had asked him countless times if he could see something, but every night he only saw a forest wrapped in crimson flames. If that was the future, it was even more terrifying.
For a moment Arkin’s mouth stayed shut while he hesitated. Nefetia murmured softly beside him. “It’s said that in prophetic dreams you can see your spouse…”
You again…
Arkin’s lips twisted. His insides, which had been prickling all along, suddenly flipped. If she had been sitting farther away, his mood might have been better. At the part about the Oath of Chastity, the startled expression on their faces when their eyes met still left a small, yet deeply hidden scar on his heart.
“I have never seen my spouse in a prophetic dream. If I had, I wouldn’t be announcing it so publicly like this.”
Arkin narrowed his eyes and stabbed her with the words. “That is a part of my life that has nothing to do with you. It is extremely personal.”
The amber eyes watching him carefully widened slightly. Avoiding Nefetia’s faintly blushing face, he turned to Seneca. “I want to end this.”
“Yes, that seems enough. Arkin the prince seems tired today. He must have worked hard.”
Seneca stood up and checked the list. “Next, from the Lake Kingdom Lakelium.”
Arkin returned to his seat and leaned against the pillar. Serena, the next in line, came forward, but he closed his eyes. Exhaustion pressed in. His body, which hadn’t slept properly because of nightmares, was already at its limit, and now his mood had nowhere left to sink but the very bottom. His mood was filthy. Nothing Nefetia had done was wrong. Why had he spat those words so viciously…
Perhaps he truly lacked the qualities to become king of Solinar. He couldn’t endure, his true feelings showed on his face in an instant, and even forcing himself to hide them had exhausted him. Arkin swallowed the bitter feeling and let out a long breath. Serena’s long-winded praise continued, but he didn’t listen, so her words simply scattered into emptiness.
“Next is Floria.”
Princess Amalfi stepped forward with a lively stride. Every step made the pink hair tied high in a ponytail swing and flutter.
“Hello! I am Amalfi of Floria!”
Her bright and cheerful voice filled the hall, and the gloomy atmosphere slowly brightened.
“Floria is a country of love, festivals, and romance! Flowers bloom year-round, and there is a festival every month. We value all emotions. We believe joy, sadness, love, and even parting are all beautiful parts of life.”
Amalfi’s face was filled with pure joy. She continued speaking in her tinkling voice. “Every day in Floria is special. When you wake up in the morning, flower petals drift outside the window, and songs never stop echoing in the streets. People always greet each other kindly, and even strangers receive flowers as gifts. There are no loud shouts or fights. Most people understand and forgive one another.”
“What’s so special about that? How do you live like that every single day? Doesn’t it get boring?”
Kaichen laughed, and Amalfi’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. “People of Floria hate that kind of person. But they still pity those gruff hearts and often give flowers.”
“Then you’ll give some to me too?”
Kaichen giggled, and Amalfi started ignoring him. “People of Floria sing while working, encourage each other when tired, and smile. Do you know how powerful the force of positivity is?”
Amalfi brought both hands to her chest and spoke passionately. “Our grandfather, King of Floria, created a policy called the ‘Magic of Laughter.’ Clowns always stay in the square so that every citizen can laugh at least three times a day. They perform free plays, and in the healing garden where sad people are comforted, anyone can rest to their heart’s content.”
“Military strength?”
Draconis leaned sideways and asked. Amalfi looked at him with contempt, as if asking who would be foolish enough to ask that question. “Oh dear, who would even want to attack the flower country? We are friends with all nations.”
“How positive. If someone invaded, you’d just get crushed.”
Draconis clicked his tongue. “That is why we are the reliable support unit for Solinar Kingdom. Thanks to the birch family of Solinar, peace has come to this world!”
Suddenly Amalfi pointed straight at Solinar, and every gaze turned to Arkin. Arkin, arms crossed and eyes closed, slowly opened them. His deep blue eyes blinked lazily and swept the room.