2 Ash J. Cressida

Inside a room that was inside of a noble house that was part of the Mokomo Dukedom within Zou which was on the back of a moving island called Zunesha which was a giant island sized and long-legged elephant, there were many different types of Minks but the vast majority were of a feline type.

Many ancient buildings were embedded in the surrounding rock formations and an area known as the Whale Forest that had a large whale-shaped tree within it.

The entirety of the back was encircled by a large wall with a gate which was located near Zunesha's tail.

Although most of the Minks were united under the rule of Cat Viper and Duke Dogstorm after they had returned to the island but many of the much larger families had their own power and influence which could not be so easily swayed by the growing power and influence of the rulers of the day and night.

Although there were not a lot of them, some noble families remained neutral, acted out of their own interests while there were some which remained loyal to the previous ruler Duke Genghis Baan who had the same status as a duke but still wore a king's crown and cloak even after he had given up some of his power to the two that had returned.

Among the noble families ranks, the three Dukes were the true rulers but Duke Genghis Baan had more control over decision making and allowing visitors onto the island so he had more political and strategic power while Cat Viper and Duke Dogstorm had more of a military type of influence and power.

Below the Baron rank was Lower Nobility, Knight and Commoner while Baron is lower than Viscount then Earl/Count, Marquess and finally Duke while some other kingdoms may have a Grand Duke rank for those with a high ranking and royal blood then there is the Prince or Princess above them in status while the King or Queen is at the very top.

The family that was gathered together were of a lower status among them and their current head of the family held the rank of Viscount but in the past they held their position as a Marquess for many generations as they had a long history within the Mink tribe which had a long history of producing feline types of children which would inherit the position of family head.

Due to the births being unpredictable, they often married other types of feline Minks into their family to try to increase the chances of them being born and they had developed an elitist kind of mentality within their own family because of their family rules which determined who would inherit the position as the family head so they were especially strict with who would marry into the main families bloodline.

Usually there would be a couple of candidates specially chosen which came from families which also produced many feline children within the last hundred years but occasionally they would make exceptions for others of a lower status and unknown background due to them being a feline Mink that suited their requirements.

An old and grey haired male lynx mink sat at the position of the head of the family while many had gathered before him and there were many other elders who were by his side which seemed to hold some influence within the family. "So has the child been born? Is there hope?"

A young female snow leopard mink was seated and revealed a slightly fatigued look on her face and body as several other Minks in some maid and butler uniforms supported her body. "Family head, I am sorry but I have failed in my duty.. but.."

Her voice was very weak as she tried to speak up but suddenly others started to voice their dissatisfaction.

"I knew this would happen."

"This is why I said not to being her in who came from an unknown family origin."

"What a shame."

The old lynx mink had frowned revealing his displeasure and then asked. "Is it a he or a she and what is their type of bloodline?"

He was still weighing the child's usefulness in his mind whether it could be raised as a warrior of the family or to be married off when she comes of age, unlike the other kind and loyal Minks there were other noble families that were influenced by establishing connections and developing their power so that they could gain higher status which was especially true for their family or for those that had a high position within the family.

The snow leopard mink weakly spoke again. "She is a girl and is of the mouse or rat bloodline from how she looks right now. But.."

Just as she was about to speak up, her voice was drowned out suddenly by the others.

"How terrible."

"How could our family possibly put our hopes on and respect a mouse?"

"I can imagine that she will suffer greatly in this family and would quickly lose all status. We should plan early which family she will marry into."

"A shame. A shame to our main families line!"

"Luckily we had prepared backups before we lost contact with… him."

"Yes! You are right!"

"We already have another girl which could rightfully inherit the position while others are closer to giving birth."

"This is what we should have expected from someone of lowly origins."

"Our Meridian family is falling in standards.. what a shame."

From their words they viewed the mouse or rat types of bloodlines more harshly than others and looked down on them due to their animal nature and position as hunter and hunted.

The newly born baby was like a sheep born among a family of wolves but instead a mouse born among a family of cats and many of the elders were especially upset to hear that one of the potential heirs that had been left behind had failed to meet their expectations.

Both of those that had been born were from the same father who was from the main families direct bloodline and he had not only married one but many females and made a child with them due to his familial responsibilities but it seemed as if his current status was unknown so the elders were especially anxious to produce a qualified heir.

Although they cherished the feline bloodline above all, they mostly wished for a strong enough heir to inherit their families duties and everything that had been passed down for them so there would be some exceptions for someone to gain a high position in the family if they could help the family rise once again but they completely looked down on the newly born child and her mother.

The mother lowered her head weakly while she clenched her teeth to suppress her anger and shame brought on by their words. "But! I believe that she has talent! I request that she be given the same opportunities as the other heirs! She can already use Electro and she has just been born, I swear that I am speaking the truth. I am willing to swear an oath on my life that everything I say is true. She may not fit into what the family laws state for inheritance of the main bloodlines position but she is still entitled to the same opportunities and chances as the others so that she can prove herself. All I ask for is a fair judgement and no bias."

"How dare you!"

"Know your place!"

"You have already been given the position as a concubine to the main bloodline, do not ask for more."

Many of the elders already seemed to have formed their own groups as they had started to support a certain wife of the previous head that they had lost contact with but none of them seemed to voice any support for the newly born child as they planned to cut off her resources and status before she could attempt to fight fairly.

The old lynx mink had been silent for a long time and then nodded as he agreed with her words.

Although they value the feline bloodline and wish to preserve it within the direct bloodline, they were still of the beast type of race and valued strength over all which helped their clan survive better.

Even if the baby was born of a weaker type of animal, if they could surpass those born stronger when given the same resources then a wise leader would approve of them and allow them to gain more status in the family even if they cannot inherit the position as the head of the family or carry on the purity of the main bloodline.

There were always chances for such children to later establish their own branch family or sit in an elder position that supported the family head and held some influence over the families decisions.

The old lynx mink coughed. "I will go see her myself, I will only make a decision if you have spoken the truth but if you are lying then be prepared to be punished."

The snow leopard mink raised her head with a look of determination in her eyes. 'My child, I will not let you have any less than others and suffer the same as I did. I, Ash J. Cressida promise to not let you have any less than the others.'

She started panting as sweat rolled down her face under the pressure of the family head and the elders until she finally passed out.

Many of the people serving by her side were shocked and rushed to her side.

"My lady!"

"Oh no, it has been too much for her!"

"She just gave birth and she is already putting her life on the line when she should be resting."

"Sigh… my lady is too stubborn."

"Quick call a doctor!"