Breeding Season - Chapter 63
At Siren’s sincere apology, people exchanged glances with one another.
In truth, the moment they heard that a princess from Wilkeron had arrived, they were furious.
Their hatred for Wilkeron ran deep, for unlike the South, where starvation was a constant struggle, Wilkeron lived in gluttonous excess.
The South always suffered from food shortages. Just stepping outside, one could see children starving in the streets. During times of famine, even fish could not be caught.
There was no choice but to endure those deadly periods together.
Or, the strong would take from the weak, cutting away at their own to survive.
Ever since Lord Yasamin became king, the tyranny of each clan had subsided, making life somewhat more bearable. But in the past, simply being born was a curse.
The weak, regardless of gender, were forced to sell their bodies. Those who were somewhat stronger became gladiator slaves for the absolute elite. Children either begged or formed gangs to steal, only to grow up and follow in their parents’ footsteps.
Orphans without parents wandered as vagrants until they succumbed to infection. Some turned to piracy. And if they were caught, they were used as bait to lure the infected.
Absolute food shortages. A land where rain rarely fell.
All of it had hardened the people of the South.
It was only natural that their festering hatred and resentment were directed at Wilkeron.
The three clans that once ruled the South—
Nu, Aquafuran, and Kalik.
They had always said the same thing.
Everything was Wilkeron’s fault.
If Wilkeron had simply eradicated the infected and shared their food, the South wouldn’t have fallen into such ruin.
“To be honest, I thought all Wilkeron people would be fat.”
“Me too.”
Abtum and the kitchen staff looked at the princess before them and thought the same thing.
She had lived in that grand royal palace, surely feasting to her heart’s content—so why did she look so fragile?
Like a candle that could be snuffed out with a single breath.
And then, she suddenly apologized, with a sincerity that was unmistakable.
She was nothing like the demon-like Wilkeron people they had imagined.
“I thought I would be furious when I met the Wilkeron princess…”
So, a princess was a princess, but it depended on the person?
To be honest, the ruling class of the South was far more oppressive than she was.
And to top it off, she spoke their language flawlessly.
If not for the color of her skin, she wouldn’t even seem like a Wilkeron at all.
“This is strange. I feel a sense of familiarity with the princess.”
“Yeah. I kind of do, too.”
“Hmmm.”
Delicate, composed, yet exuding grace.
A unique aura flowed from her, from head to toe.
All of it was the answer to why the king had chosen her as his Diet.
“Well, it’s not like His Majesty would ever make a wrong choice.”
“That’s true. Since he personally selected someone as important as his Diet, he must have made the right decision.”
The people of the South served Yasamin because he was the first to unite all the clans and make them bow before him.
He gathered the wandering vagrants and trained them into formidable warriors. He forced the clans to release their food supplies, feeding countless people.
Betrayers were punished without mercy, but those who swore loyalty were never cast aside.
Whenever someone came to the royal castle asking for work, a place was arranged for them.
They couldn’t eat to their heart’s content, but under Yasamin’s rule, no one starved.
More than anything, there was a future.
They would strike Wilkeron and distribute all its food to the South.
That very idea had become a religion.
Because of it, they revered Yasamin and wished for his happiness.
“Is the princess an Aquafuran?”
At that moment, a woman in the corner of the kitchen abruptly asked.
“Is that why His Majesty formed a Diet with her and brought her to this land…?”
Her trembling voice left Siren unable to answer.
She didn’t know.
She hoped she was an Aquafuran, but Yasamin had yet to tell her anything for certain.
“She’s probably an Aquafuran.”
Breaking the silence was a boy.
Chris looked around at the kitchen staff and spoke so clearly that even Siren was surprised.
“Nuna is an Aquafuran. She just hasn’t realized it herself yet.”
Me?
Startled, she turned to look at him, only to see Chris smiling brightly.
“You’ll realize it soon. Don’t worry.”
“If that’s true, that would be wonderful.”
She murmured softly, then lifted her head again under the weight of countless gazes.
Pity?
Why, though? Earlier, it had been mere curiosity, but now, their eyes held a hint of sorrow. There was even a trace of sympathy.
Would being an Aquafuran be something to pity?
Why?
She didn’t know the reason, but for now, what mattered was gaining their cooperation, so it wasn’t a bad thing.
