Chapter 16

  “Casca, sit down.”

  “What?”

  All three sat in a circle on the floor. Anyone witnessing this would think it absurd—legendary figures acting like ten-year-olds. But it was happening.

  Dan handed out paper and pencils, including one for himself.

  “This epic feud between us three ends today.”

  The festering conflict, thornier than Israel-Iran tensions, had to end now.

  “I’m embarrassed seeing kids act more mature. Honestly, Nora’s got more adulthood than the three of us combined. I can’t teach her anything if I can’t handle myself.”

  He declared, dead serious.

  “Alright, write what you want and don’t want from the others. We’ll see what we can do.”

  Each bowed their head, scribbling.

  “Done.”

  “Same.”

  “Okay, reveal them together.”

  Casca:

  Get her out.

  Zeedee:

  I’m not leaving.

  Dan didn’t even need to open his. This was doomed.

  “Stop messing around.”

  “I’m not!”

  Casca snapped back.

  “I’m dead serious. Get her out already!”

  “I’m not leaving!”

  Paper smacks face.

  “It’s not easy to leave after coming this far.”

  “Then why’d you bring her here in the first place?!”

  “My fault…”

  “Your Majesty, why apologize? You did the right thing!”

  “Shut up, Skank!”

  “I won’t! What’re you gonna do, you old hag?!”

  Dan clutched his head, temples throbbing, on the verge of tears.

  “Fine, one at a time.”

  He picked up Casca’s paper, placing it in the center.

  “Freya, no talking. When it’s your turn, you’ll speak uninterrupted. We’re letting Casca say what she wants, got it?”

  Zeedee leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

  “Fine, thanks… Alright, Casca, your turn. Why do you want Freya gone?”

  “It’s obvious!”

  Casca slammed the floor, pointing at Zeedee.

  “That whore wants you so bad her stench trembles like a rutting monkey! Who’d let her stay?!”

  Zeedee’s face twisted, but she followed the rules—silent until her turn.

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  “Freya’s not a whore. Take that back, now.”

  “Fury!”

  “Even if you’re my fiancée, that’s not true.”

  “…”

  “…”

  “…Fine. But the rest stands. She’s using wiles to seduce you. Who’d allow that?”

  “I had to do that because of your selfishness!”

  Freya pointed at her rival.

  “It’s because of you! Some nobody waltzing into our lives, barking orders, banning this and that, standing in our home! The prince and I adapted to human ways here, but you demand we follow your beliefs? Ridiculous!”

  “Fury loves me. You’re just a blow-up doll for lonely nights.”

  “What did you say?!”

  “Casca… ease up.”

  “…Tch.”

  “Then let’s go back to your values.”

  The prince clasped his hands.

  “Casca, what’s the benefit of one partner?”

  “Fury, no sane person wants to share what’s special to them.”

  “Not everyone, you hag.”

  Zeedee pointed.

  “Tristina has three half-siblings. I know.”

  “!”

  Dan saw his wife’s face shift, hesitating, flustered.

  “Then what’s monogamy? What’s its purpose, Casca…”

  He reached out, touching her, speaking calmly, trying to understand.

  “Freya and I are listening. We’re trying our best to get it.”

  Casca fell silent…

  “…”

  “Fury… listen. I know deep down you’re a one-woman man.”

  Casca never doubted that.

  Thirty years as crown prince, the strongest being hatched from the queen’s egg, with power and authority—Fury could’ve mated with anyone on the island. Diablo females lined up, ready to offer themselves, like his brother Everton indulged in. Especially in a race where the strongest claim all, Fury could’ve bred with every female Diablo. So why didn’t he?

  He could’ve, but why did he choose only Freya?

  “Because that’s who you are, Fury… You’re like many humans here without realizing it.”

  In a world ruled by natural selection, predators swap mates seasonally, creatures breed without bonds. But humans are different—not just instinct, but choice. Humans don’t have to love one person, yet they choose to. Despite burning blood and endless curiosity, they pick long-term bonds amid life’s uncertainty. They stake faith in “one love,” not because it’s easy, but because it means something.

  “Why her? Why?”

  He turned to Zeedee, who awaited his answer too…

  “Why, huh…”

  The prince paused, thinking… then it took shape.

  Prince Fury cherished privacy and solitude. When not at war, he cocooned himself. Few entered his circle… but Freya did.

  “I don’t know, but… I trust Freya. More than anyone. She’s the only one who makes me feel this way. Until I met you…”

  “Not all humans think like you… Many I know are like Diablos. Mostly men, though.”

  Some humans don’t follow monogamy. They choose a complex path—hearts with many rooms, names, shadows. In their world, love isn’t a rare thing to bind to one person but a force blooming in many gardens, warming different people without diminishing each other.

  They don’t do this from lack of discipline or fickleness, but because they believe in diverse emotions. No single person can fill every corner of the heart. Some offer fire, some shade, some inspiration, some peace, some the deepest understanding of self.

  For them, love isn’t a moral constraint but a conversation, a renewable contract of understanding, not control. They love many because they dare face the truth: the human heart is too vast for one person’s grasp.

  Sometimes, the truest honesty is admitting the heart isn’t one river but a lake fed by many streams, flowing together without lessening each other.

  “Humans are more diverse than Diablos… Some call it a cheap excuse for womanizers. Others say monogamy’s just a made-up rule. The debate never ends.”

  “And you’re on the monogamy side.”

  Casca looked down.

  “Chapter 56, Verse 4… CIS doctrine, God’s word.”

  If you fear you cannot do justice to orphans, marry women suitable to you—two, three, or four, as seems just.

  But if your heart fears you cannot treat them equitably, hold to one woman, or one under your right hand’s care.

  That is the closest path to avoid bias in relationships, which could erode your dignity, justice, and soul…

  CIS, Chapter 56, Verse 4.

  “Per scripture, even God doesn’t forbid multiple partners.”

  “So you’re saying…”

  “But He says it depends on the wife’s consent! As long as I don’t agree, don’t even think about it!!!”

  “But you’re not his wife yet!”

  “It’s the same thing!”

  “It’s not!! Yes… Yes!!! It’s different!!!”

  Zeedee pointed.

  “Being husband and wife requires legal documents! Where’s yours?!”

  !?

  Casca’s eyes widened.

  “How far do you know?!”

  Even juvenile law.

  “No documents. No. Meaning.”

  Casca grew flustered.

  “S-Soon! It’ll happen soon!”

  “Soon? When? I want to marry you as fast as possible.”

  “…Uh… well…”

  Glancing at the state of things…

  “We have a vow of the heart for now, Fury!”

  “You’re saying your religion’s God doesn’t call multiple partners a sin?”

  “It’s not a sin, but if it’s irresponsible, it’s sinful! And—”

  Emphatic.

  “As long as the other wife doesn’t consent, it’s not happening.”

  “You talk like I’m about to make Freya a wife.”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “No way. I’m just curious what you’re aiming for.”

  “I follow God’s teachings. But I won’t share my husband. End of story.”

  “Okay, that’s your desire.”

  “Exactly!”

  “Selfish…”

  Zeedee shook her head.

  “Utterly selfish… keeping him all to yourself.”

  “You’re so noble, huh?”

  “If we’re talking your mushy love nonsense, then the prince and I have been husband and wife forever!”

  “What?!”

  “I know…”

  Zeedee pointed.

  “I know your true intentions… I’ve spent enough time with Chris and Tristina to piece together the web you’re trying to weave around us.”

  “What?! What’re you talking about?!”

  “What do you mean, Freya?”

  “Listen, Your Majesty… this hag—”

  Zeedee’s eyes locked with Casca’s, sweat beading on her cheek.

  The scene cuts to that day… Year 2 of Casca’s life in Diablo…