" King? What King?"
Shayna asked, breaking out of character momentarily.
" The one you married to become Queen of Candyland, of course."
Richard explains as his thumb caresses her shoulder, enjoying the feel of her soft fur against it.
" What makes you think that I can't be crowned Queen without marrying?"
She asked, silently offended at his words.
" But that's how it has always been. There hasn't been a female of high title with the help or influence of a man."
He pointed out, which was true, however, it wasn't enough to convince Shayna.
" What are you saying?! Our Chief is a woman and she didn't need the help of any man to gain that title."
She rebutted as she shifted in his arms, Richard noticed this and loosen his grip, making her more comfortable in his arms.
" She split her soul from her own half-beast body and created Hector. He was the chief of the tribe in the start."
He said reminding her.
" But it doesn't change the fact she was controlling him from the shadows and when the whole village found out, she was made chief instead."
She rebutted once more.
" Doesn't change the fact that she needed a man's influence to gain the respect of the village before they even gave her a chance. If she could have become Chief through hard work and determination, she wouldn't have split her soul like that."
Richard elaborated, and Shayna fell silent as she thought about it.
" What about the kingdom Katusha? Queen Sarah was a great queen."
She asked, hoping to turn the conversation around.
" She married the King and then became Queen. Only after the death of the King did she get full reins on the Kingdom, even then she married off her daughter to the neighboring kingdom's prince."
Richard answered as he found himself liking this more than actually playing. Having a conversation with her in his arms.
" That's lame, can't my character be just born to be Queen without any guy?"
She asked and then wondered why was she asking. It was her character, she should have full reins on it.
" Sure, it would just mean you need me more since your citizens don't respect you."
He nodded enthusiastically, agreeing to it almost instantly.
" And why would I need you? You're Vegetable, not candy."
She tilted her head, confused by his statement.
" Cause, I'm a man and you need a man. "
He bluntly stated like, it was the most obvious thing in the universe.
" *scoffs* Man?! May I remind you, you're 2 years younger than me?"
She laughed, completely shocked at such a statement.
" Doesn't change the fact, that I'm a guy and you're a girl. Which means you need me."
He whispers the last part into her ear, making her laugh at how ridiculous this all was.
" Hey, Vegetable King, let me remind you I don't need anyone but myself!"
Shayna declared as she ducked down, slipping out of his arms, and was about to run but Richard hugs her from behind, catching her again.
" Nice try but there's no way I'm letting go now. Now that there are only 3 minutes to save your kingdom from my vegetables!"
He announced informing everyone in the playpen. Rufus from the other side of the playpen was finally pulled back to reality from the announcement.
" Oh no! I have to hurry and fix my mistake!"
Rufus quickly dashed over to the two wolf pups. The two brothers were playing tug war with each other.
" Blaze! Blain! Wanna play with us? "
" Hmm .. I'm... kind... busy...."
Blaze grunted through gritted teeth as he pulls hard in the rope giving it all he got.
" Oh, maybe after I win."
Blain answered forgetting that he was pulling the rope in his mouth, instantly sending his brother rolling himself a distance away.
" Blain!"
Blaze barked furiously as he shook his head feeling dizzy.
" Oops... Sorry about that."
Blain quickly apologizes as he runs up to his brother to check on him.
" Well now that you have lost, wanna join the vegetable army? You get to battle with your brother, Blake."
Rufus cunningly added, knowing how both of them liked to bully the runt of the litter. Both of their ears immediately perked up at the suggestion.
" What are we waiting for knights?! To war!"
Blaze barked with excitement, and since he was the oldest in their litter of wolf pups, he immediately took the lead. Rufus followed after him, with Kairu still on her back. They left behind Blain who was enjoying a good scratch behind the ear, behind.
" Hey! Wait for me!"
Blain yelled as he runs after the 3 of them. Little One, Rehaa, and Blake roll up to Richard, and immediately Blake leaps to his feet.
" Give it up Vegetable King! You have no match for Sir Knight Milk Scent!"
Blake boldly proclaims.
" Yeah! Even though, you're much older and bigger."
Rehaa agreed as she sits up.
" Oh! My hero! I knew you would come!"
Shayna dramatic gestures as she swoons at the sight of her rescuers. Richard lets out a mocking laugh.
" You? You, think you can defeat me?! Vegetable King?!"
Richard exclaimed as he holds Shayna by her waist and shoulders, in front of him. Little One on the other hand just kept rolling around in circles and starts beating up a nearby pillow.
" Uhh... see! He isn't scared of you! Look at how he's threatening to beat you like that pillow!"
Blake quickly improvised, as he wonders if Little One was too young to understand what was going on.
" You can't save her! You can't save anyone! Blaze! Blain! take care of those two! I shall handle Milk Scent by myself!"
Richard laughed as he pass Shayna to Rufus and Kairu. Rufus puts down Kairu and leaps onto Shayna's shoulders. Shayna picks up Kairu placing him on her lap as she sits down. Blaze immediately pouches Blake from behind, shoving his brother to the ground. Blain steps in front of Rehaa, blocking her path.
" Oh! Save me! Milk Scent!"
Shayna cried dramatically as she made herself comfortable against the playpen's wall.
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