44 Chapter 44: What about our cubs?
Swan started to get nervous as she tried to get her point across. It might be true that they had a completely different culture, as the beastmen were raised to be warriors.
But Swan knew well enough that you needed more than just raw strength to build a proper kingdom. People needed to be educated, or at least know more than just fistfighting.
She had observed the knights at Holy Achate Palace’s training ground and realized most of the knights and commanders were smart, not just strong.
She truly wanted the kingdom to grow because it seemed that Gale was proud of his achievement. Thus, she racked up her brain and asked, “Um, are these soldiers married?”
“Some of them, yes. Why do you ask?”
“And where are their spouses now?” Swan continued inquiring.
“Many of them have their mates in their clan. This kingdom is newly reformed, even the beastmen and peasants are just a bunch of tribes mixed into one, and gather their food outside of the kingdom,” Gale explained without hiding anything from his mate.
“So, uhm… Kingdom of Beastmen only provides safety?” Swan asked but then realized that she was being rude, so she stammered, -1–I’m sorry. I–I didn’t mean to be rude. I just… want to know more.”
Swan lowered her head ashamedly, “S–sorry…
“Don’t apologize. You deserve to know the kingdom’s matter as my mate,” Gale rubbed her blonde hair gently. “For now, yes. The kingdom only serves as a fortress.”
Swan sighed in relief as she was pardoned. Then she continued asking, “Then… uhm, how do you get money for the kingdom’s treasury?”
“From wars, of course,” Gale replied as if it was the most obvious thing. “I won every war I’m in and got a prize for my victory. It has always been like that in the beastmen world.”
Swan was legit concerned now.
She never got proper training to be a princess. She learned how to read from a maid who was kind enough to teach her.
But since she had to stick around Aria often, even when the latter was being taught
44 Chapter 44: What about our cubs?
about the kingdom’s affairs, Swan learned a bit by listening to Aria’s teacher.
She knew that the kingdom needed more to survive. Even though Gale was and would be invincible for a long time, there was nothing permanent in this world.
What if he got sick and people would start to rebel?
What if there was a famine or a disease?
There was so much to do to the point she didn’t know where to start.
However, she was determined to help Gale as much as she could.
‘I need to be useful somehow. If Gale doesn’t plan to sacrifice me to cure his curse or ditch me for his new mate anytime soon, then I need to repay for his kindness, Swan thought as she gained a new determination. And first of all…”
Swan looked at the soldiers once more. She noticed that the soldiers were stealing glances at her and Gale many times. Every time they did, they’d try their best to show their prowess, probably to impress their King and his mate.
Swan smiled at the soldiers and murmured, They look strong”
Gale just heard the praise that he had been waiting for from Swan, but now that she said it, he somehow got a little uncomfortable.
‘Why does she need to smile at those soldiers anyway? They are not as strong as me, he complained in his heart before turning around and walking away from the training ground.
“Uhm, Gale, I thought you wanted me to watch the soldiers.”
“No need. Let’s just walk around the castle instead, Gale refused decisively. “You don’t need to see them from now on.”
“But… we need to talk about their salary.
“They don’t need a salary,” Gale frowned. “They dedicate their lives to the strong, that’s
the norm.”
“W–what about giving them a proper salary and uhm… allowing their spouse and children to stay in the city as well?” Swan suggested.
“Why do we need to do that?” Gale asked as he was genuinely confused. This was the first time someone ever gave him this suggestion, even Jade never said such a thing. “They come here on their own volition, and they are allowed to leave if they want to.
15:24
44 Chapter 44: What about our cubs?
here by the tribe elders as their tribe’s best warriors.”
Swan lowered her head as she didn’t know how to voice out her worry, “So they are only loyal because you’re strong.”
“Yes,” Gale said with pride. “What’s on your mind, Swan? What are you worried about?”
“You,” Swan replied. “I’m worried about you, Gale.”
“I told you many times that I am unbeatable. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Swan knew they were going nowhere, and Gale was also confused by her constant worry. There had never been anyone who worried about him, since he had always been the apex predator, the one sitting at the top of the food chain, and would always be for the rest of his long life.
“But I want them to be loyal to you for more than just your strength. To build a long–lasting kingdom, you need your soldiers to be loyal to the kingdom too, not only to you,” Swan explained. “What if you die of old age someday? Will they leave the kingdom? Will the kingdom cease to exist?”
Gale was silenced now because that was probably what would happen.
When he was the Alpha of Storm Pack, he planned to find his fated mate, and then produce offspring who would take over once he got older.
But now that he had been cursed and everyone except Jade had been killed by the Storm Pack, he had nowhere to go. This Kingdom of Beastmen was his new home.
So, what would happen if he died?
He had been so powerful due to his curse and his natural strength, to the point that the thought of dying of old age never crossed his mind.
Swan noticed the change and struck while the iron was hot, “I’m worried about our cubs.”
Comment 17
