"Gather the iron and other resources and build the side of the gate. I want it to be stronger and taller. Don't want any stupid sibling ruining my feast when he gets drunk." Korba ordered as she was dressed in a robe that dragged behind her and her brown hair was straightened to be plastered on her head. She looked refreshed. Better than the day they had that fight by the table. Was it just him or she had gained weight?

Charles left the pillar he had been leaning against and walked up to his sister who had been busy these past few days preparing for her wedding. 

"It's a pity you still chose to go ahead with the wedding despite the odds and the stakes. I don't think I have much left to do any longer. The rest lies with you."

"Everything about my life has always rested in my hands and not you. When will you ever learn to go about your own business." Korba spat back, her face filled with rage.

"Ohh, is my sister mad at me for ruining her beautiful moment with the family before getting married? I was just stating facts, Korba, and you know it."

He bristled but as his sister glared at him, he lowered his eyes and smiled.

"Stating facts? When you are destroying my happiness?"

"Azrael was supposed to be Lyne's happiness. But somehow, you snatched it and you want him to be your happiness. Nice try, Korba."

"What do you mean, Lyne's happiness?"

"Ah, Azrael actually happened to be her first love before you butted in."

"Do you mean what you're saying? Or is this an expensive joke?" Korba faced him totally, the morning sun warming both their skins. 

"Have I ever lied to you?"

Charles asked and Korba's face turned pale.

"Surely, they both couldn't have been in love before. It might be just a crush."

"A crush that lasted for years. Wake up, woman. Azrael only married you because you were a what? Ah, a trophy woman. A trophy wife. Or shall I say, an ideal wife of an army chief? But in truth, he is deeply in love with Lyne. Didn't you see the way he defended her at the table? He never talked about you that way." 

Korba's shoulders dropped and she looked like she had just read the news about someone's death. Someone so dear to her. But behind the pain lies rage. The burning rage of a sister who is fed up with losing every valuable thing to her sibling and is about to stop it. 

"You see, sister," Charles walked around her, stealthily. "The only difference you and I have is the fact that you're a female and so what you thrive to get back from Lyne is as trivial as anything. Including the one you love. As for me, my life is involved."

Korba looked at him accessibly and he nodded, his mouth drawn in a pitiable line.

"Lyne is after your life?" She asked.

"Actually, not literally but somehow, she is after my life. I mean, when the crown is taken away from me. What then is there to live for? Crumbs? Definitely not me."

"So, what do you propose we do?"

"First, call off the wedding."

"I am not calling off the wedding!" She screamed as if terrified by the idea which sounded preposterous to her.

★★★★★★★★★★

"I want to call off the wedding, Dad." Korba released her long-held breath after dropping the bombshell and by the way the metal utensil stopped clinking on the plate, she knew what she was in for it.

Styx looked up at his daughter after pushing away his breakfast. He couldn't have heard her properly but she repeated the same thing.

"Yes, I'd like to call off the wedding."

"Why?" The question was said with a deep growling voice that made her flinch but she has a good reason, right? She could just tell him. 

"Actually...I'm...it's because...I don't know but I feel like the South jungle isn't the best location. The other wolves stay far away and I'm not looking to have a small wedding like Lyne." She dragged her sister's name with scorn and contempt unknown to her father.

"Oh well, you could have just asked for it to be postponed not called off." Styx heaved a sigh of relief and returned to his food.

Korba nodded, her lips curving into a nervous smile. 

"Actually, I've made lots of plans to go back to the Kingdom and prepare along with my brother of course."

"Who? George?" Styx asked, sipping a glass of wine.

"Um...no. I'll be going with, um, Charles." She swallowed after the last word and anticipated her father's reaction. To her surprise, he turned out fine. 

"You're not going with Charles alone but with all your siblings or do you want them to miss the wedding?"

"Not at all. They are welcome anytime, any day. I just thought they might be enjoying the south jungle. You know, more than I am." Her voice wavered and moments later her sister walked in. 

"Hi, Dad. Hi, Korba."

"Hey, hello, Olivia." Styx carried the five years old little girl on his thigh. They look so much alike, no doubt about it. Same fine cut jawline, same eyes color, same hair and manner of talking. After Lyne, she sure should be the next favorite.

"How're you doing today, Olivia?"

"Not well. I want to go hunting with the others but they won't let me." Her kid sister pouted and Korba smiled as waves of memories washed through her. 

How she would always plead with her Father to take her hunting but he'd say the same thing. You're still a kid. Wait till you grow. But it was wrong. It only made them weaklings and she wasn't ready to let Olivia be a weakling like them.

"So, when do I get to go hunting?" Olivia's voice jerked her from her thoughts. 

"Why not let's go out to play?" Korba asked trying hard to avoid looking into Styx's eyes as he might see through her and know her intentions. Not like she was doing anything evil. Stuff just has to happen and it required taking bold steps.

One small step for a baby wolf, a huge massive step for the jungle rules.