A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

For several more minutes, the crowd continued cheering as Erik's words whipped them into a frenzy. Finally, Erik raised his free hand and got the crowd to quiet down again.

"Thank you for your support!" he said, now a lot calmer. "In return, I swear to bring prosperity and glory to both Enkare Nkai and the Silfrmáni Empire."

"But first!" he continued enthusiastically. "I want to introduce you all to my family!"

He slightly lifted the awkward wereverine on his arm and presented her for the people. "This is my daughter, Alice. She's the only princess of my empire. Treat her with respect, and woe be those who dare try and harm her."

When he noticed Alice's expression becoming a little worse, he started laughing. "Because she'll rip them apart herself!"

Alice's expression quickly improved. Releasing his head, she crossed her arms and nodded with smug satisfaction at the crowd, instantly earning her even more fans.

Meanwhile, Erik waved at his mother, who quickly jumped on top of the altar as well, between Erik and Ankhur. Her casual, sporty clothing fluttered in the wind. A twitch went through Ankhur's eyebrows, but no one noticed. He certainly wouldn't be airing his romantic misadventures in front of his people.

"This is my mother, Runa," he continued fondly, before smiling mysteriously. "Some of you may have already heard of her before."

Indeed, a part of the crowd reacted with surprise. Those who didn't yet know about the connection between her and Erik widened their eyes.

Runa had travelled throughout Africa for several years before finally encountering Edda in the battle between Enkare Nkai and the hunters. As an unaligned second-ranker who travelled around a lot, usually helping people where she could, there were plenty of rumours about her doing the rounds.

Used to dealing with crowds, Runa chuckled casually at Erik's introduction. Completely at ease, she waved at the people below. "Be good to my son, alright?" she growled, her voice carrying far, a threatening grin on her lips. "Or you'll have to deal with me."

Instantly, Erik felt a wave of embarrassment. He couldn't help but groan slightly and roll his eyes. At the same time, Alice started giggling, and some of the people below couldn't help but chuckle.

It was a moment that humanised them a little… at least, to most of the crowd. The ones wearing silver pendants of Erik and Elora's symbol actually grasped them and only looked up more reverently than before.

Runa did have a knack for knowing what to say.

"Anyway…" Erik continued after recovering with a wry smirk, his voice returning to a level that only the people with him could hear. He turned to Alice and kissed her cheek. "It's time for you to watch from the sidelines, alright? If I keep you on my arm during what comes next, I'm afraid it'd be a little awkward."

"Okay, Father," Alice nodded obediently.

Knowing what time it was, Runa leaned over to her son and immited him by kissing his cheek. "Have fun, Silvy…" she whispered in his ear. "I'll watch from over there, trying not to cry."

Erik couldn't help but smile while his mother snatched Alice from his arm and jumped off the altar. She stayed on the top platform, however, and joined Leila on the side of it, where the rest of Naeku's direct family was also gathered.

Erik glanced at his side, where he couldn't help but notice Ankhur's eyes following Runa for a moment. He smirked slightly. "You know, you don't have to marry her or join her harem. Perhaps you could find some kind of arrangement between you, her, and your two wives, without any official attachments."

Despite his inner turmoil about his mother's sex life, he decided to play proper wingman to her. He knew she liked Ankhur, and if he could make it work out for her, he would.

Ankhur glanced at him with some frustration, nearly snapping a response. But he stopped himself at the last moment and sighed. "Perhaps…" he muttered with a nod, his gaze lost in thought.

"Anyway," he suddenly shook his head, before sighing again, miserably. "Let's get you hitched to my daughter, I suppose."

Chuckling, Erik jumped off the altar, quickly followed by Ankhur, who landed on the other side. "Are you really still opposed to the idea? We have true feelings for each other, and I refuse to believe you actually believe I'm not worthy of her. Lust is my only flaw, but you're not innocent of that either."

With a snort, the werepanther shook his head. "No, it's not about any of that. I know my daughter loves you, and I suppose I'm willing to believe you feel the same way."

With a sombre gaze, he looked up at Erik. "I just worry if you can make her truly happy."

Erik frowned seriously. "I'll certainly do everything in my power to do so. Why would you worry I can't?"

Ankhur shook his head with a hint of sadness. "Because there are things she wants that you might not be able to give her. I've talked to her about it, but… she does love you, and seems to think she'll get over it with time and a loving partner… I'm just not as sure as she is."

Erik blinked in surprise. She'd never mentioned anything about this to him, nor did he get an inkling about any doubts she had. The news that both father and daughter believed there was something he couldn't give her, but other husbands might, came as a shock to him. What could it possibly be?

"Wha—" he began, but was instantly interrupted when a wave of sound came crashing their way. He swivelled his head in that direction, and Ankhur did the same.

"You'll have to ask her later," Ankhur told him softly, adjusting his voice so that Erik could hear him. "It's too late now, anyway. She's made her choice."

In the distance, a large gathering of warriors was moving through the crowd in a rectangular formation. In their midst, a handful of people were playing drums and harps to herald their arrival.

Most importantly, however, were the four radiant women who moved at the front.