[Afternoon]
Ovelia's POV
We had just emerged from the forest, taking refuge beneath a massive tree at the heart of green plains. It seemed like the perfect spot for lunch. We sat together on the soft grass, enjoying the delicious breeze and the meal Ann had prepared.
"Ann, for now, can you please stop calling us ma'am and sir?" Ace said, reaching for rice and chicken fillet, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"But—" Ray interrupted, ready to defend Ann's polite address.
"Think of this as a part of our mission. Given what happened earlier, it's best if you don't use our real names. If we run into anyone else, you can call me R, and Ace will be A." Ray said, expertly picking the bones from the fish he was eating.
I realized he wanted to keep their identities hidden, as they were well-known as the first and second princes of the Silverhowl Kingdom.
Ann and I nodded in agreement with Ray's suggestion.
As we continued our meal, a question formed in my mind, and I couldn't resist.
"Everyone," I said, catching their attention. They turned to me expectantly. "Can I ask something?"
"Sure," they replied in unison, exchanging curious glances and smiles.
"In a book I read when I was a child, it mentioned that every twenty years, many human women were sacrificed to a werewolf, destined to become their mate or wife, for peace between humans and werewolves." I paused, studying their faces. They looked serious, ready to absorb my words. "I believe that peace is a state of harmony characterized by the absence of conflict, violence, and turmoil, fostering understanding and cooperation among individuals and communities. But earlier, I heard a werewolf mention selling beautiful humans at auctions, and I nearly lost my life during Ace's and my wedding, when I was in the forest because a massive black werewolf wanted to kill me. I'm just left wondering… does true peace really exist between humans and werewolves?" I said, my voice tinged with sadness as I took a bite of my food.
As I chewed, the weight of my words hung in the air, the silence stretching as they absorbed the gravity of my concerns.
"That's—" Ace interrupted, his gaze locked on Ray.
"To be honest, the word 'peace' between humans and werewolves doesn't exist." Ace sighed as he reached for a pancake, his mood heavy with unspoken truths.
"But I think we humans have practiced the human women sacrifice for werewolves for centuries," I murmured sadly, my eyes fixed on my plate, unable to meet the discomfort etched on their faces.
I glanced at Ann, Ray, and Ace. Their expressions revealed a blend of sorrow and guilt, a palpable tension hanging in the air.
"You won't truly understand why we call it peace if I don't share where it all began," Ray said, pouring himself a glass of juice, his voice steady despite the weight of his words.
Once finished with his meal, Ray adjusted his seat, leaning forward, ready to unfold a painful chapter of their history.
"Long ago, humans were unaware of our existence. We lived peacefully, never transforming into our werewolf forms; we only blended with humans, existing in secret. But then, rumors began to swirl—one about a werewolf killing an innocent old woman. Her lifeless body was discovered in the Shadow Pack Kingdom. That was the moment humans realized we werewolves existed. Fear spread like wildfire, igniting a war that claimed the lives of many. The hatred between humans and werewolves passed from generation to generation."
Ray's brow furrowed, the weight of his memories evident. "Years later, a human King Alfred Amber the Fifth of the Amethyst Kingdom recognized the strength of the werewolves. In a desperate bid for peace, he proposed to the four kings of the other packs—Silverhowl, Crimsonheart, Wildfire, and Shadow—that every twenty years, each village family must sacrifice their daughter to maintain a fragile peace. Reluctantly, they all agreed."
A silent moment followed, the gravity of Ray's words hanging heavily in our hearts.
"But the word 'peace' is merely a facade, a way to mask the troubling realities between humans and werewolves. Despite the sacrifices made for this so-called peace, many humans and werewolves still seek revenge, and this cycle never truly ends." Ann said, her voice tinged with sadness as she gazed out into the distance, lost in her thoughts.
Ace nodded, a fierce determination gleaming in his eyes. "Because of the human women sacrifices, many male werewolves have found their human mates. That's why people mistakenly believe it's a bridal sacrifice for werewolves. But the truth is, if a human isn't chosen as a mate, they become slaves—mere puppets for amusement. My father, King Raymond, suggested to the other packs that we abolish the sacrifice, but most werewolves disagree. Most of the werewolves said that if we remove it, the fragile peace we hold will shatter forever."
A deep sigh escaped my lips. "So, the word 'peace' between humans and werewolves exists only to lessen the hatred, not to resolve the core issues." I took a sip of my juice, allowing for a moment of reflection.
"Yes, that's the truth," Ace replied, his expression serious as he reached for a tart from the dessert platter.
Ray, trying to lighten the mood, exclaimed, "Ahhh, I'm so full! That food was delicious!" His voice was overly cheerful, an almost forced attempt to shift the somber atmosphere. It was clear he had finished his meal long before the others.
"Indeed, the food was amazing. Thank you, Ann," I chimed in, wanting to support Ray's attempt at changing the subject.
"It's always my pleasure," Ann smiled warmly, though her eyes still held a hint of sadness. Then she turned to me with a more serious tone, "Before I forget, Ovelia, it's time to tend to your arm."
As her voice softened, a wave of warmth enveloped the table, momentarily casting aside the shadows of our plight.
Instead of feeling pity for the human women who sacrificed themselves for the peace between humans and werewolves like me, I felt grateful and proud of their bravery. They faced their fate head-on, striving to lessen the hatred between our kinds.
Ann retrieved the medical kit from inside the wagon and approached me, her brow furrowed in concentration. She rolled up my left sleeve and carefully removed the bandage.
"You heal incredibly fast. The last time I saw that wound, it was severe; the estimated healing time was a month. But now, I believe it'll be completely healed in just two weeks," Ray exclaimed, a look of disbelief crossing his face.
"I think so too," Ace chimed in, his mouth full as he savored the last bite of his meal.
"But you still smell human, Ovelia," Ray pointed out, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Hehehe, I'm not sure why I heal so quickly. Perhaps my body has just gotten used to being battered and bruised over time, so it heals fast," I replied, forcing a smile, tinged with both embarrassment and pride.
After our meal, Ann began to tidy up, and I joined her in cleaning the dishes. Once we finished, we hopped back into the wagon and continued our journey.
Ace's POV
I remember this road; it splits into two paths, one leading to Timberline Village.
I turned to Ovelia and said, "Ovelia, I've never set foot in your village. I only made it to the entrance on sacrifice day. Could you tell me what life is like there?"
She looked at me, her expression thoughtful. "Well... our village is simple. We rely on basic food because we lack the means to trade with other villages. We only receive different fruit seeds and vegetables when visitors from the Royal Family of the Amethyst Kingdom come to our village. We don't use money since everything we need for daily living is found in the village. Everyone pitches in; there's no greed for food. What one person cultivates, we all share, and the animals cared for by one are cared for by all. No one hoards there; everything belongs to everyone. We're also blessed with a river brimming with fish, so we never worry about what to eat, whether in drought or rain."
As she spoke, I could see joy in her eyes, tinged with a hint of sadness.
It was the first time I'd ever heard of a village where money didn't exist and unity thrived. My curiosity about Timberline Village grew.
"Ray, I want to visit Timberline Village," I declared, excitement tingling in my chest.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Ray replied with a chuckle, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
But Ovelia's face shifted, surprise etching her features.
"But I have no reason to go back," she said, her voice carrying a weight of melancholy.
Ovelia lifted her gaze to meet mine, and I offered her a reassuring smile. Yet inside, I was a tempest of emotions, torn between curiosity and dread. How would I feel when I finally met Ovelia's parents? Would I be overwhelmed by rage and a desire for revenge because they had hurt my mate, or would I find myself filled with gratitude and understanding instead??