The wolf king began his tale from the start.
He told them a little bit about Nanako’s relationship with her father and the then Fox king’s temperament. How she was sent to harness her skills and at the students’ camp where pupil from both the tribes would come to gain knowledge and skill.
He signed and reminisced, “Ahh! Those were some good old days. No clan fightings or wars. But pure sportsmanship. There used to be huge crowds for the competitions. Ah! What golden days were those. You kids have no idea how good it used to be before all the misunderstandings and tragedies. ” He said pointing at the two, then continued, ” Anyways, let’s continue with the main story. Nanako had met Jin, my older brother. ” He had to stop instantly after uttering the words older brother, in an attempt to stop Mia and Lin from seeing his tears.
“My brother used to be the most competent and intelligent among us. His speed with the bow and arrow was envied even by our most skilled archer. His skills were all encompassing and news about this was widespread and well known throughout our kingdom. However his knowledge, even surpassed the excellence of his skills. Many folds. ” He looked at both with a twinkle in his eyes as he emphasized on the word, knowledge.
He then took them for a very uneasy ride over the part where Nanako was mistakenly impregnated by Jin. It was awkward talking about it infront of his new found daughter and her husband. But they very maturely handled the part. After that he explained how their love story progressed.
“After finding out about Nanako’s pregnancy, they were both shocked, very shocked to be honest. It was unexpected and unsettling. They had no idea what they were supposed to do. My brother was very protective of his beloved and wanted to go ask for her hand from her father right away, but your Nana stopped him, thinking they aught to approach more gently. She made my brother return home, promising she would send somebody with words. Though reluctant, he didn’t want to offend his beloved anymore and did exactly as she wanted. Nanako went back to her palace. She was coming up with ways to tell her father about Jin and ask for his blessings. But destiny had a bitter future planned ahead for them. Nanako’s father had already gone to the most vicious and dark shaman in his kingdom. As I had already mentioned, he loved his daughter way too much. Her returning home disheartened had been disrupting his night’s sleep. He had tried talking with Nanako but as was obvious she couldn’t share the details of her frustration with him. This made him worry so much that he didn’t hesitate to approach the man infamous for his dark arts. He needed to know what was bothering his daughter at all cost. ”
The wolf king sipped a few gulps of water and so did Mia and Lin. They were so engrossed, it felt like they were reliving the lives of Jin and Nanako themselves.
“The shaman didn’t take much time to unearth Nanako’s heartbreak. He very quickly was able to let the Fox king know about Jin’s bet and how he had slept with Nanako under the influence of drugs. The fox king was furious. The word furious itself isn’t sufficient to describe how furious he was. The Apple of his eyes the beloved daughter whom he had raised and protected with such tenderness was so mauled and mishandled. His blood was boiling with the thirst of vengeance. He wanted to raid into the wolf clan and behead Jin then and there. But he knew he could not. He was well aware of Jin’s reputation. In a fit of rage he promised the shaman a piece of his soul. In exchange he was to prepare the most horrible end for the vicious criminal Jin. He had also made lavish offerings to the shaman, asking him to make his daughter happy. He pleaded with him to make her smile again. ” A deep sigh followed, then the story was back on its track.
And so did she. Nanako was smiling when her father was back. She was exactly like he wanted her to be. But the reason for her smile was entirely different from what her father was thinking. She was relieved the misunderstanding between Jin and herself was done with. She could finally love him guilt free. She could finally savour the sweet essence of his affection. She could finally feel with all her heart. She was waiting for the perfect moment to initiate the topic of Jin with her father but he always seemed to desperately avoid her. She thought he was too busy, but he was unwilling to face her, least his tears made would make her sad once more.
Nanako had started eating up well. She took good care of her health. She wanted to keep the baby. She wanted to become a bride. She wanted to be in Jin’s arm and life ever after.
One day, Nanako finally picked up her courage and went to face her father. Her father was avoiding her as usual but she went and sat right beside his chair in the council.
“Father I need to talk to you about something important. It’s urgent. It can’t wait. Ask them to come back after I’m done. Please. ” Nanako said pointing at the councilmen.
Her father couldn’t help but agree. “Alright, Alright. I need a few moments to talk to my daughter. ”
He excused himself and took her to the adjacent waiting room,”Tell me darling. Make it quick. ” He was having difficulty having a proper conversation with her, looking at her eyes. His tears were difficult to hold back.
“Ummm, father, I have been meaning to talk to you about something very important. But you are too busy these days. But it’s really important and urgent, so I couldn’t keep it any longer, ” Nanako said fighting with her hands.
“Is this about what happened back at the teacher’s place? About that wolf puppy Jin? ” He had to quickly finish with the topic as it was becoming unbearable for him.
Nanako was taken a back. But she felt suddenly shy too, talking to her father about her love life. She just nodded her head confirming his query.
“Don’t you worry about that my darling. All your worries are now mine. I will call that Jin in my territories the next full moon. You just need to wait and watch what I have in store for him. Don’t worry your little head at all, alright. Just eat and sleep well. ” He ruffled her hair affectionately with a big smile, ” Now go get playing. Go. Father has work to do. ” The fox king marched out, hiding and willing his tears. He was assuring Nanako about her revenge but she was all excited and glad that her father already was aware of her choice in love. She thought he already she what she wanted like always. She thought her father would bring her her groom like he always brought whatever she ever wanted in her life. She was so happy that her father had already accepted Jin, she went to her room, jumping and helping with joy.
None of them knew what terrible and tragic miscommunication they had just engaged into. A storm was just brewing in the corner masked but the silence.