We finally arrived and were being announced.

The doors opened and I saw a room even more gilded than the Fantasia throne room.

It wasn't too flashy but it looked expensive.

The king and queen of Slade looked at us boredly, the queen even letting out a yawn.

Standing beside them were 6 men, dressed in gold and blue, outfits fit for princes. And 3 girls, all adorned in jewels from head to toe.

Jeez, I know rabbits reproduce at a baffling speed but I didn't think that applied for a rabbit beastman.

Queen Aina was a beautiful lady with strong Asian features. Her long lilac hair was tied up neatly and put in place with many intricate hair ornaments.

And king Minoru was a little shorter than father but had a good build. He looked just lile Harry, sky blue hair and piercing pink eyes.

"Greetings, King Minoru, good evening, Queen Aina," I greeted with a deep bow.

"A princess should be seen. Not heard," he deadpanned.

I saw the three princesses snicker and whisper among themselves.

"Then you'll have to make an acception for mine," Father defended.

"Why don't the women leave us to discuss business and they can go into the butterfly sanctuary and have tea," Minoru waved dismissively.

The Queen stood up obediently as the three princesses straightened their backs and followed suit.

I was about to object when I remembered what my father warned me about.

'Do not be fooled by his first impression'

I glanced at father and he nodded.

I nodded back and quietly followed the other ladies to the butterfly sanctuary.

-------------------

"You boys should go as well," Minoru glanced at his 6 sons.

"What? But, father! I'm next to the crown! I should be able to join affairs between two kings since I--," Minoru interrupted his eldest.

"You're not taking the crown until I say so. You're not even the strongest among your brothers, who said you'd survive to see this crown on your head?" Minoru glared.

His eldest could only grit his teeth as they filed out.

"To the office, Victor," he stood as I nodded quietly.

"Did you have to be so rude to my daughter, Minoru," I whispered.

"I'll apologize properly when I get the chance," he whispered back, closing the doors to the office.

-------------------

"So, Snow, it must be good being the only heir," snickered the Princess in yellow.

"Oh, yes, I heard she rejected the prince of Fantasia to be the heir," gossiped the Princess in purple.

"You must be crazy!" laughed the Princess in pink.

They all laughed together, like they were laughing about a joke. Which is the most accurate way these girls see me.

I looked at mother who seemed to be getting more and more annoyed by the second.

"Crazy as those gaudy jewels around your fat neck?" I said offhandedly, calmly sipping my tea.

My mother ungracefully, and accidentally spat out her tea and stifled her laughter.

"Excuse me? I think I misheard you!" The Princess in pink gasped.

"Oh, I think you heard me right, that uglier than a troll expression says it all," I smiled, raising my teacup happily.

"Why you--!" she screamed.

"Enough! This is not how a lady of Slade behaves," Queen Aina interrupted angrily.

"I think you should come with me," she glared at me as I smiled, unfazed.

"That is my daughter, Aina. Not yours," Mother glared back.

"And this is my kingdom, Lilian. Not yours," Mother backed down and gave Queen Aina a death glare.

"Follow me, girl," Queen Aina glared, walking to the main palace.

"She's in big trouble now," the three princesses mocked.

I followed behind the queen and whispered.

"My mother would never have taken that laying down. I'm guessing it's time for a second impression," I grinned.

She said nothing and entered a small reception room.

She closed the door and started to let out muffled laughes and snickers.

"You have quite the sense of humor, Princess," she cleared her throat and sat in front of me.

"We haven't much time, so I should tell you that we've received a letter that explains the purpose of your visit," she said in a low tone.

"And what is your answer?" I asked excitedly.

"... Unfortunately we cannot support you... The internal struggle of Slade is just too great, Minoru is working hard to clean out Slade from the roots... But it's been proven almost impossible," Queen Aina shook her head sadly.

"So are you giving up?" I asked in disbelief.

"Of course not! But at this time, it's too risky to go against the powers of Slade... We're only the regents in title but truthfully, we cannot defy the ones who control the people and the economy. Not even Minoru's wish for me to be his only wife was granted," she growled, twisting her hankerchief in anger.

"Wait... So... There are... Consorts?" I asked in disbelief.

Aina nodded, "You can't have expected me to give birth to ALL those children," she said with a small laugh.

"Then... What about you?" I asked worriedly.

"... I've accepted that already, my dear. I only have two sons, women aren't exactly treated as equally as in Sterling. But Minoru only loves me," she said, her eyes sparkling with trust and pure unwavering loyalty.

"I'll take your word for it... But there must be a way you can support me," I pleaded.

"... Convince my husband, I'm sure he'll find a way," she smiled sweetly. Compared to her cold and indifferent facade, she felt warm, happy, and calming.

I could see why the king would choose to love a lady like Queen Aina.

"Also, forgive me," she said hurriedly.

"For wha--!" before I could finish my sentence she splashed wine all over me.

"You insolent brat!" she screamed, instantly switching from calming and kind to angry and irritable.

"Guards! Take her out of my sight!" She screamed, the guards entering to drag me away.

Though she looked extremely angry I could see that apologetic glint in her eyes and decided to play along.

"You'll pay for this!" I screamed back, trying to scratch her before the guards held me back.

"Let go! You lowly scum!" I screamed, going full bratty tantrum mode.

I kicked and flailed, and was hastily tossed into another room.

They shut the door as I banged on it.

"Let me out!" I screeched, scratching at the door.

"What a performance, but you can stop now," I heard a kind voice call. I recognized the voice, but the tone was completely different.

"King Minoru?" I said in disbelief.

"Didn't think you'd meet me so early? Well, you have my wife to thank for that," he said with a small chuckle. He gestured for me to sit in front of his desk.

"Yes, that, and my hair, now becoming red and sticky from the wine," I laughed.

"I'd like to apologize for my behavior earlier," he stood up and bowed.

"I understand, but... What I don't understand is how Slade got like this," I said, disappointed. Though women had a lot of say they were still treated as the inferior gender.

"Do you know why only time rabbits, dragons, phoenixes, Nine-tails, and black lions rule the five kingdoms?" he asked gently.

I was a little taken aback by the question but responded, "Because we are the most powerful beasts within our race, and we also have the strongest bloodline," I answered. History was one of my favorite subjects.

"Right. We are the guardians of the beastmen. But without anything to protect them from, the people of Slade have taken us for granted," he explained.

"Not only that, but your birth has caused unease not only in Slade but in the other kingdoms as well," he sighed.

I froze. What was he talking about? This was new...

My spirits started to talk over eachother again... They're panicking... It hurts...

"Stop..." I pleaded out loud.

"Are you... Alright? Princess?" Minoru asked worriedly.

"What are you talking about?" I asked curiously.

The spirits tried hard to contain themselves, but there were times where they couldn't just stay quiet, resulting in a splitting headache....

"... Your father may have covered this up, and tried to hide this from you, but this piece of information is essential for you to understand why we can't support you in your efforts to try and fix the wall," he said seriously.

I became restless and so did my spirits... I was starting to feel faint from the pain of their overlapping voices...

"Snow, you are the only woman to have ever been born with the blood of a Sterling. You are one of the warriors that the first guardians spoke of," he continued.

"I'm... A what?"

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°and cut!°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°