*One day later*

"A tail-core of a half-breed nine-tail fox guardian beast and the sacred blessing of the white tiger; I'd say you're extremely fortunate." Wolfy expressed herself solemnly.

"What is the white tiger's status as a sacred animal?"

"The feline tribe had descended from the white tiger, just as the wolf tribe had descended from the giantess Angrboda. However, in contrast to the violent feline tribe, the white tiger is a wise and peace-loving beast. "

“Oh! Wait a minute, that thing is a good guy!"

"Of course it is. Otherwise, did you really believe that a sacred beast wouldn't just force itself on you because it is wise?"

Hilda couldn't help but frown inside. She hoped that the other beast would be as peaceful as the white tiger.

Wolfy could really read her (H) mind from her (H) face, so she asked, “Think you've been sex starved for hundreds of years, then meet me or any other wolf tribe female in heat, what would you do?”

Hilda's expression told Wolfy everything she needed to know. “You are like an aphrodisiac for them. It would be hard for them to control themselves.”

“Looks like I really have to grow stronger within two years.” Hilda bolstered her resolve.

Wolfy sighed quietly in her heart, but not before reminding her (H), "Destiny. It is impossible to escape your fate."

“I know. I know,” Hilda said, frowning. "Do you have any idea how many times I've heard those words?"

An awkward silence ensued. Hilda just sat there, expressionless. Wolfy brewed a cup of hot tea for Hilda and handed it to her.

Hilda hugged her (W) waist as she (W) prepared to return to her seat and quietly stated, “I am not ready. I am not ready yet.”

Wolfy couldn’t help but sigh in her heart. For a brief moment, Wolfy believed Hilda had returned to a time when Princess Nessa was still alive.

Hilda's life changed dramatically after Nessa's death. She stopped acting like a baby and began to act like a grown-up.

Wolfy sighed in her heart as she patted her (H) head. "Don't be concerned; you've got a bigger problem to deal with."

Hilda nodded politely before calming down slightly. 

"What do you think about the emperor?" Wolfy inquired as she sat in her seat.

“What about him?” Hilda took a sip of the hot drink. “For me, I don’t believe that guy. No, I don't believe anyone who isn't a member of my pack or hasn't signed the contract with me.”

“I am not talking about trusting him. What do you think he is aiming for?”

"I have no idea," Hilda said, shaking her head. “For one moment, I believe he is on my side, and then he does the exact opposite.”

"It's better to plan with the assumption that he's against you. But, whatever his motivation, he intends to send you on the expedition."

"Then it could be something from the north."

"Or he's planning something bigger. Maybe he's trying to use you to solve a big problem."

"Ridic, Rhea's grandfather, had said something similar." 

Wolfy nodded and reported, "Hati said he'd be back soon."

*Knock* *Knock* 

The knock on the door cut Hilda's response off. She said, “Enter.”

"The carriage is waiting for you, my lord," Aiden reported.

"Are you going to the military camp?" Wolfy inquired as Hilda waved him off.

"Yes, I need to check them," Hilda said, avoiding her eyes and looking at the empty cup. "I've been gone for a long time."

It was, of course, a lie. After all, the barracks were outside the capital's walls, and Hilda could not leave the city. But Hilda needed an excuse to visit Fiona.

Hilda, predictably, did not discuss the punishment with Wolfy. Alas! Wolfy knew everything there was to know about Hilda. So, as soon as Hilda avoided looking her in the eyes while answering, she (W) realized Hilda was lying.

She, on the other hand, chose not to expose herself. Wolfy took Hilda's empty cup and exited the room. "Don't spend too much time outside," Wolfy reminded her (H). 

"You'll be leaving soon for an expedition. I think you should spend some time with Rhea."

‘She knew.’ If Wolfy knew everything about Hilda, Hilda also knew the significance of Wolfy's every action. Naturally, she realized Wolfy had chosen not to expose her deception.

Hilda didn't want to squander her time. She couldn't wait to meet her shadow wife. Throughout the entire journey, she felt excited.

The distance between her manor and Fiona's house was short, so she arrived quickly. However, as soon as she stepped inside, all eyes were drawn to her.

'They aren't your typical servants.' She knew they weren't that simple. After all, no gardener could contain so much bloodlust. Nonetheless, Hilda followed the maid who was leading her.

The maid came to a halt in front of the door, motioning for her (H) to step in. Hilda could tell it was a bedroom. She would have been ecstatic at any other time.

However, as soon as Hilda saw the pair of knights who stood guard at the door, she couldn't help frowning.

'There's no way he'd be here. Even if they are imperial knights, he may assign them to protect Fiona.' Hilda tried to calm herself.

"Please step in, your highness." The maid pushed open the door, urging Hilda to enter.

[The man inside the room is not straightforward.]

Hilda’s foot came to a halt in the air because of the sudden voice in her head. She looked around, but no one was speaking to her.

[I've arrived in the capital.] 

'Scarlet?'

[Of course, who else could it be?]

"Your Majesty," the maid called once more.

[From him, I get a similar odor.]

‘Similar?’

[Yes. I think I've smelled it before, but I'm not sure what it is.]

"Your highness, the emperor's brightest sun awaits you." The maid reported anxiously.

Hilda entered the room with a wave of her hand. The first thing she noticed was the man, about whom she understood very little. He wore no upper garments on his body.

Fiona was sitting in his lap. Her revealing dress revealed one of her assets, while the emperor's hand was molesting another beneath the dress.

Hilda had anticipated this. However, when she looked closer, she noticed red spots all over Fiona's skin. She realized the emperor had showered Fiona with his not-so-tender love.

"You're more capable than I imagined." The emperor complimented with a smile.

"This subject accepts the compliments with humility." Hilda didn't dare to be sloppy with her manner.

"Don't say things like that. I am not the emperor here, but rather your father." The man smiled, grabbed Fiona's cheeks, and forced a kiss on her.

'Are you a dog?' Hilda silently laughed in her heart. She was sure that he was simply marking his belongings to show his authority. After a long time, he released Fiona, who was gasping for air.

"You look hungry," he said as he lifted Fiona from his lap, removed the cover from his lower half, and revealed the long black dick. “Why don’t you play with it for a moment?”

Hilda inspected the reason for her birth before turning to Fiona. Fiona locked her gaze on the dick for a brief moment before turning to look at Hilda.

Before Hilda could determine whether her (F) eyes were clouded by embarrassment or unwillingness, she (H) heard Eric say, "Don't be so shy. He is your nephew. He must have seen you do it, didn't he?”

Her (F) eyes were soon filled with terror. She didn't want to squander any more time. Fiona quickly grabbed the long black meat stick with the pink top and shoved it into her mouth.

“Oh! I owe you a thank you,” Eric said, running his finger through her (F) hair. “After all, you were taking care of your aunt in my absence.”

"After all, it is my duty," Hilda said, forcing a smile on her lips.

"Then I have to say you did an excellent job," Eric spoke as if he was overjoyed. "Then I owe you something for your excellent work."

"How could I be compensated for something I should be doing?"

"Are you rejecting me?" Eric looked at Hilda, puzzled. As if he didn't understand what Hilda was saying.

"I would never do it." Hilda sighed inwardly. Even if she didn't like it, Hilda could only say, "I will accept whatever you bestow upon me."

"Wonderful decision." Eric's hand never stopped rubbing Fiona's head. "Have you received a shadow wife?"

Hilda's heartbeat quickened. It wasn't because she was happy, but because it was inappropriate for a prince to discuss openly, let alone with the emperor.

"Don’t worry about insignificant rules. I am asking as your father.” 

Hilda shook her head as she looked at Fiona, whose head Eric pressed against his crotch.

“Oh! You're just as shy as I was when you were your age." Eric gave a fatherly smile, adding, "If it hadn't been for my mother, I wouldn't have had a single shadow wife before I left on my first expedition."

"It's too bad Nessa died when you were young. It appears that I will have to make the arrangements for you."

"I don't need a shadow wife."

“Shy as always. How can a grown man be content with a single woman?” Eric didn’t believe her words, saying, “The palace had received a new batch of high-quality slaves. I will ask them to send you a good one. What do you want?”

Hilda had no idea how to handle this perverted man. She could only stand there with a smile on her face.

“A Demi-human? Yes, I will ask that they send you a high-quality demi-human sex slave. And then there's the shadow wife..."

"One of my important subjects had contributed significantly." Eric thought for a moment before saying. “Now he needs a wife. But how can I put it?”

It was as if Eric wasn't sure how to break the news, but he said it anyway: “he isn’t into women. What can I do? I can't interfere with my subject's preference.”

For a moment, Hilda had the impression Fiona was struggling to move her head, but she couldn't shake off Eric's hand. 

Eric had acted as if nothing had happened, continuing, “But how can I let such a noble house continue without an heir.”

But Hilda couldn't understand why Eric was assisting her in finding a shadow wife, let alone a countess. But she was confident that the count or countess had also enraged him.

"That girl was exceptional, and she was on her way to becoming an imperial princess. However, some people are unaware of what is beneficial to them."

Hilda noticed Eric staring at Fiona while he was discussing it. "And sometimes it is their heir who must bear the consequences of their parents' carelessness."

Hilda couldn't think of any high-born noble who had been on the verge of marrying one of her elder brothers, nor could she recall any broken marriages.

"You like Fern, don't you?" Hilda overheard him say. "Didn't you almost take her as your wife?"

It was only then that she realized why Fiona was struggling so much. After all, a single word from the emperor had jeopardized her plans to make her daughter the first prince's consort. Despite this, all she (F) could do was…

Hilda sighed inwardly. “Father,” After a long time, she finally addressed him by his given name.

But Eric didn't allow her to finish the sentence. “I'll let you in on a little secret. She's your half-sister.”

He smiled, continuing, “She also resembled Fiona when she was the same age. I believe you two are very compatible, just like us.”

"However, father..." Hilda was sure he was punishing Fiona, not her. However, it was also a warning for her.

“Do you refuse to accept my gift?” He was still smiling and speaking calmly, but Hilda noticed a change in the surrounding air.

But when she saw Fiona's pitiful expression, she sighed deeply. "No, I really like Fern. If you permit me, I'd like to take her as my consort."

“That! I'm afraid I can't break the old rule,” Eric said, shaking his head. “How about you give the count an heir for the time being? When you return, I will accept their divorce, and you may take Fern as your consort.”

“But father,”

Hilda was about to say something, but Eric raised his hand to stop her as he started to groan. Hilda had no problem understanding that Eric was pouring his seed right into Fiona’s throat.

His voice was ragged as Eric said, “Go now. Allow your father to spend some quality time with his beloved. You should stay here for a few days and spend time with Fern before she marries the count.”

No matter what she wanted to say, Eric didn’t give her a chance. All Hilda could do was bow and walk away.

"You did a good job subjugating the bandits, but don't do such a sloppy job again."

As soon as Hilda heard that word, a chill ran down her spine. But before she could respond, Fiona coughed. Then she heard Eric tenderly saying, “Don’t waste my love. Swallow it.”