Chapter 88: Chapter 88: A Small Revenge


    Gale said nothing after Swan confessed. She couldn''t admit that she was a whore''s daughter, but telling him that she had been neglected shouldn''t anger him as much, right?


    "G-Gale?" Swan tried to turn her body to face him. She wanted to check on his expression but then noticed Gale''s rapid heartbeat and his heavy breath. "I-it''s okay. I''m here with you now. I''m well-protected and happy. So, don''t be angry at them, okay?"


    "You expect me not to do anything after your mother neglected you?" Gale scoffed. "Do you know in our culture, a mate is a jewel that should never lose anything? We take pride in making sure our mate is well-fed, secure, and happy with everything we can provide, so she can bear healthy cubs for us. And do you expect me to stay calm?"


    "Yes," Swan replied firmly. "My Queen Mother is still the most important figure in the Holy Achate. My kingdom will be in turmoil if something happens to her. That''s why... I just want you to calm down, so you won''t do anything rash, Gale."


    Gale gritted his teeth out of frustration. He knew that Swan was just being mindful. She still had a love for her kingdom, even though her mother neglected her.


    "You should be more selfish. I don''t mind turning your kingdom upside down if you told me to."


    Swan smiled bitterly, "I don''t want you to be a mindless beast. I''d rather see you being loved by everyone as a good king. You will be fondly remembered by your cubs, and everyone will think of you as the strongest and wisest monarch, far better than my father."


    "So, Gale... promise me that you will not hurt Queen Mother," Swan implored.


    "...I promise," Gale muttered. "You should rest now. You''ll get sick if you''re too tired."


    Swan was at ease after getting his promise. She believed that Gale would never break his promise, so she fell asleep quickly.


    But Gale wasn''t sleepy at all.


    He was angry at the circumstance because he couldn''t just go and wreak havoc in the Holy Achate Pce.


    What he said wasn''t an exaggeration. A mate for a wolf was a jewel that shouldn''t be hurt.


    He would be a disgrace once people heard that his beloved was neglected by her mother, but he didn''t seek justice for her.


    Thus, he waited until Swan was fast asleep before getting up from bed.


    He left the room and told the maids to call ze Silverfang to meet him.


    The young wolf hurried towards his King''s side and kneeled, "How may I be of your service, Your Majesty?"


    "How many trade routes are there in Holy Achate?" Gale asked.


    ze was a bit surprised, but he had been studying many things, including trade routes as he had to rece Rock, and also help his King in need. After careful thought, he replied;


    "There are three, Your Majesty. There is a route going directly to Sacred Kingdom Rianel and also the West Sea. The other one is to the south which led directly to your Kingdom, andstly to the north, which would lead them to the North Séa," ze mentioned. "May I know why you need this information, Your Majesty?"


    Gale''s face was solemn. He crossed his arms as he had been holding himself back the whole time, and ze noticed it.


    However, the aide said nothing as he knew he''d rather stay silent than be the receiving end of his wrath.


    "Make sure to tell the fishmen of the West Sea to tip over any trade boats from Holy Achate or Rianel," Gale ordered "Send some of our soldiers to stopany trade caravan that came in and out of Holy Achate. Andstly, about the North Sea..."


    Gale hadn''t conquered the North Sea yet. Previously, he had no interest in it, because the continent across that sea was mostly covered in ice.


    Swan''s kingdom was close to the North Sea, and even the north beach was under the control of Holy Achate.


    He paid it no mind at first, but now, he wanted to make sure that woman would


    pay for neglecting his Swan until her leg couldn''t be healed anymore.


    "I will personally go to the North Sea and make sure the fishmen in that area will cooperate."


    Gale sounded calm, but it sent chills down ze''s spine, knowing that someone would have to suffer for his wrath.


    "Your Majesty, did Princess Swan do anything wrong to offend you? Holy Achate is her kingdom. I thought we were supposed to protect them from any invasion," ze remembered how the beastmen soldiers had been stationed to make sure the trade caravan from Holy


    Achate wouldn''t be attacked by bandits or wild beasts.


    He thought his King did it because he was in love with Princess Swan.


    ''Did she fall out of favor?'' ze pondered.


    "No, I did it because they hurt her," Gale replied. "I should''ve destroyed that pce before taking Swan with me. Now I have to do something sneakier like this to punish them."


    Gale wasn''t in the mood to tell anyone about Swan''s fate. In his mind, none of these beastmen deserved to know her suffering, because she was meant to be at the top of the world with him.


    Nobody should pity her except him—her husband and mate.


    "T-then, do you need me to apany you to the North Sea, Your Majesty?" ze offered.


    "No need. Just do what I said about the West Sea and the trade route. I can handle the rest myself," Gale said.


    "Understood, Your Majesty. How long are you going to keep them from ever having a sessful trade? Winter ising, and I know they will need a trade caravan from the South with a warmer climate for necessities, like food and clothing."


    "Until that woman came crawling to Swan and begged for forgiveness. Though, whether I will forgive her or not, it all depends on what Swan wants."


    ze didn''t know who ''that woman'' would be, but he knew he just needed to follow instructions and leave to do his task.


    Gale looked at the fallen leaves from the window and murmured, "It seems I have to use my power once more."