More than sixteen years ago.

Rye and her friends were skipping in the backyard of her house. Rye reached the thousand mark faster than her friends, and so she won the bet and took the tamarind candy from everyone.

The concept of a monetary system didn’t exist in the wolf clan. People just shared things with each other out of goodwill, as overseen by the elders and the city council.

So, there was a limit to how much candy the kids could get their hands on. Naturally, the girls didn’t feel good after losing out so much candy to Rye. They drooled as she sucked on the candy.

Seeing their pitiful expressions, she shared some of the candy with them. And they all happily sucked on the sour-and-sweet tamarind candy.

“Rye has the qualities to become a good lord,” Ryan said. He was drinking grape juice with Rye’s father, Erwin, who was a tall man with a long face. “She’s strong and kind.”

“Well, your son is there for that role.”

“He’ll be the next sovereign, and your daughter can be the next lo