King Fenric entered the throne hall, the greatest necklace in history hanging across his chest: the Wolf Fang.
That fang was no mere ornament… it was the secret of his power, the secret of his reign.
For King Fenric was not of the Jinn tribe—he was an ordinary human. And the question everyone asked was: How could a human rule over the Jinn?
The answer gleamed upon his chest… the Wolf Fang.
The one element the Jinn feared more than anything else. Their eternal nemesis. It was this that made them bow to Fenric's authority.
But their loyalty was never out of love or respect… only fear.
And for that reason, the other tribes despised him, considering his rule illegitimate.
Samarth, his brother, watched him with eyes full of suppressed hatred. Then he quickly masked his expression and bowed:
Samarth: "King Fenric… it has been some time. The queen and I were just speaking about—"
He was cut off by the king's stern voice:
Fenric: "I have no time for chatter, Samarth. I have deals to discuss."
Fenric sat at the table and ordered firmly:
Fenric: "Sit."
Everyone obeyed. Alessandra remained standing, staring at her father and at the fang hanging from his chest.
Fenric glanced at her, then at Elizabeth.
Fenric: "Has Alessandra attended her lessons today?"
The girl opened her mouth:
Alessandra: "Father, I—"
But his voice thundered like a storm:
Fenric: "Go study at once! I will have no daughter of mine ignorant of reading and writing!"
Queen Elizabeth intervened gently, trying to calm him:
Elizabeth: "There is no need for anger, my king."
Fenric did not answer. He signaled to Mary, the nanny.
She bowed quickly and led Alessandra out of the hall.
In the corridor, the child's tears flowed:
Alessandra: "Why is he always angry when he sees me?"
Mary smiled tenderly:
Mary: "He doesn't hate you… he only wants you to become the smartest, strongest person you can be."
Alessandra: "But I have no powers… that's why he thinks I'm useless."
Mary fell silent for a moment, then changed the subject with a warm smile:
Mary: "Guess who's coming to see you today?"
The girl's eyes lit up with joy:
Alessandra: "Harry?!"
Mary: "Yes, he's waiting for you in the garden after your lessons."
…
Outside, Harry—Mary's son and Alessandra's closest friend—was picking flowers.
Alessandra ran to him and hugged him tightly:
Alessandra: "Harry!! I missed you so much."
He smiled shyly:
Harry: "Did you really miss me that much?"
Alessandra: "Of course, my little wolf boy. Where have you been? Tell me everything!"
Harry belonged to the Tribe of Wolves, while his mother Mary was one of the Outcasts.
He had grown up with Alessandra since childhood and was like a brother to her.
He began telling her about the lake, about his trips and games…
And she listened with wonder, imagining life outside the palace to be beautiful, bright, and full of joy.
But reality was different… for she did not know how the people hated her father, and that if they discovered she was the king's daughter, they would tear her to pieces and celebrate her death.
…
At that same moment, King Fenric was seated with Elizabeth and Samarth, discussing grave news.
Fenric (gravely): "We've received another threat."
Samarth raised his brows, feigning outrage:
Samarth: "Anyone who dares threaten the king must be executed immediately!"
Fenric's eyes narrowed as he replied:
Fenric: "It is not from humans."
Elizabeth shivered in shock:
Elizabeth: "Don't tell me… from the Jinn?!"
Fenric: "They want the end of my bloodline. They demand a ruler of their own kin, not a human."
Elizabeth's voice rose in anger:
Elizabeth: "And you obey them? You heed their demands… while you let your own people starve and rot in poverty?"
Fenric sighed, closing his eyes.
Samarth, meanwhile, calmly chewed his food, watching them both with suspicious eyes. Then he wiped his mouth and spoke sharply:
Samarth: "Every people asks something of their king, and a king must deliver… since you chose the Jinn as your people over the Outcasts."
Fenric's eyes snapped open, but Samarth continued:
Samarth: "I suggest you abdicate the throne."
Elizabeth slammed the table in shock:
Elizabeth: "What?! Have you lost your mind?"
Samarth answered firmly:
Samarth: "I am in full possession of it. If the Jinn unite and overthrow you, the entire kingdom will collapse."
Elizabeth (furious): "And who besides Fenric could lead the Jinn? You will not find another ruler as strict and as clever as he is!"
Samarth shouted back:
Samarth: "It is their demand! We cannot refuse it!"
Elizabeth cried even louder:
Elizabeth: "Not every command of theirs must be obeyed!"
The tension erupted—
Fenric (roaring): "Enough!"
The king rose abruptly, and all present stood and bowed.
Fenric (with finality): "I am the king. I decide. The discussion is over."
He left the hall, while his wife and brother exchanged looks heavy with suspicion…
What awaited them? And what secret gave the Jinn courage to threaten a king who carried the Wolf Fang?
Meanwhile, Alessandra was humming softly as she played with the flowers Harry had picked for her.
Harry sat behind her, running his fingers through her soft golden locks, combing them carefully as though handling a treasure.
Alessandra: "Are you done yet?"
Harry (smiling): "Almost… just let me put this flower in your hair."
Alessandra (with childish worry): "But I already bathed today… I don't want to get dirty."
Harry paused for a moment, glancing at his torn, grimy clothes. Then he smiled shyly:
Harry: "Don't worry. I'll wash my hands well before I touch you."
She nodded in agreement, her face glowing with joy.
Harry began adorning her hair carefully, washing his hands again and again to make sure he wouldn't soil her pristine white dress.
He cared for every detail of her, with a love and caution he dared not confess.
Harry (in a serious voice): "Alessandra…?"
Alessandra: "Yes?"
Harry: "I promise I will protect you… always."
She looked at him, bewildered, staring silently into his eyes.
He stepped closer, his voice full of resolve:
Harry: "I will be your shadow, your right hand."
Her face flushed with childish shyness; she tried to hide her embarrassment:
Alessandra: "But I already have many guards… there's no need for that."
Harry continued decorating her hair and smiled with a faint sadness:
Harry (whispering): "Even if you don't need me… I will stay by your side. That is my promise."
After a moment of silence she turned away and whispered:
Alessandra (whispering): "But… I don't want to live in the palace. I want a different life, far from power and restrictions."
He raised his eyebrows in surprise:
Harry: "But… you are the king's only daughter, the heir!"
Alessandra (with childish stubbornness): "So what? Was I born to live a life I didn't choose?"
Harry said nothing; he only continued in silence, feeling the weight of her words.
…
A little later he stood before her, smiling with pride:
Harry: "Finished… what do you think?"
She touched the flowers in her hair with delight:
Alessandra: "Very beautiful… thank you, Harry. Maybe I'll make you my personal hairdresser!"
She giggled lightly, while he kept looking at her in silence, his eyes hiding a love he could not declare.
Alessandra (childishly): "Come on, let's go to my room! Nana Mary brought me new drawing papers."
She grabbed his hand enthusiastically and dragged him toward the palace.
…
As they passed the library, they suddenly stopped.
Through the half-open door she saw Samarth standing before Mary, speaking to her in a sinister tone.
She quickly pulled Harry's hand and signaled him to be quiet; they hid behind a wall to listen.
Samarth (in a commanding voice): "This is an order."
Mary (sharply): "Orders are not taken from you, my lord."
Samarth stepped closer, his eyes full of threat:
Samarth: "Are you betraying your people?"
Mary fell silent, her fists trembling.
He smiled wickedly and toyed with a lock of her hair:
Samarth: "Building a strong kingdom needs a loyal, clever people. Why do you refuse an offer that could save the Outcasts from poverty? Wouldn't you be tired of hunger and torment?"
She shoved his hand away in anger:
Mary: "Betraying my king is not in my nature. And if my people are traitors… I am not one of them."
With suppressed fury, Samarth grabbed her arm and threw her toward a bookshelf; she struck it and fell to the floor.
Harry nearly exploded where he stood:
Harry (hissing in anger): "You bastard…"
But Alessandra clapped a hand over his mouth hard, pulling him back so their presence would not be revealed.
Samarth moved even closer to Mary; his voice dropped but dripped with menace:
Samarth: "Your people demand a king of their blood… think carefully. What I say is no small thing. It is the beginning… of a new kingdom."
He sighed slowly, then left the library, leaving Mary sitting on the floor, trembling.
From behind the wall, Harry and Alessandra exchanged looks, their breaths held.
Alessandra (in a severe whisper): "If you speak, Harry—"
Harry (hoarse): "I swear… I will not tell anyone. Not even my mother."