Breeding Instinct - Epilogue

Damian was granted the title of Grand Duke after successfully subjugating all the beasts in the surrounding area. As soon as he became a Grand Duke, he made a long-anticipated announcement: his marriage to Kanna.

The couple also publicly shared the details of their illness and symptoms for the sake of others who might be suffering from a similar condition. They hoped to establish a sanctuary for those experiencing the same pain and social isolation.

Though this might be all they could do for now, in the future, the small number of people gathering around them could possibly form a principality where only beastfolk resided.

Around that time, Baron Mecklen’s household fell into complete ruin. Philip had gone missing, leaving those to whom he owed gambling debts to seize the barony and the mansion.

During the chaos, Paula unleashed a torrent of curses, blaming Kanna for breaking her promise, but no one paid attention to her anymore. Rather than sympathize, people condemned her. Rumors spread that she was an ungrateful woman who only relied on her child and blamed them when things went wrong—a parent who had long abandoned common sense.

Meanwhile, Count Liffe had been caught for tax evasion a few years earlier and was forced to pay a hefty fine. This weakened his household’s trading business, the family’s primary source of income.

Later, Kanna received a letter from Leonie. In it, Leonie confessed her lies, apologized sincerely, and expressed her respect for Kanna.

Though one might assume the letter was sent because of Leonie’s worsening circumstances, Kanna knew the words were genuine. She responded with a letter of her own.

Sitting by a sunlit window and savoring the scent of burning leaves, Kanna enjoyed the cool autumn breeze that painted the world in hues of red and yellow.

After placing the finished letter into an envelope, she stood up. She no longer needed to strain to sense his presence—she could feel it with ease now. Wanting to meet him before he arrived at the entrance, Kanna hurried down the stairs with remarkable speed.

Her movements were so swift that even passing servants turned to look in surprise.

“Sister-in-law, you shouldn’t be running like that!”

Moritz, who had just stepped out of a room, scolded her when he spotted her. Kanna smiled sheepishly and placed a hand over her rounded belly.

“Ah, it’s hard being single,” he muttered with a sigh.

Moritz had finally stopped wandering and decided to work under Damian’s guidance. The brothers had grown close again, and Moritz eagerly awaited the arrival of his soon-to-be-born niece or nephew.

“Kanna.”

Though she had only paused briefly to talk with Moritz, Damian had already reached the entrance and clicked his tongue when he saw her. Striding over, he lifted her into his arms with ease. Wrapping her arms around his neck in a familiar gesture, she playfully nuzzled her nose against the side of his neck and asked:

“You’re back?”

Unlike his formerly cold demeanor, Damian responded with a warm smile.

“Yes, I’m back, my dear wife.”

Though they hadn’t yet held an official wedding ceremony, the two were already as close as family—stronger than ever.

In later years, history would record their story like this:

“They were the founders of the beastfolk race and the first beastfolk couple.”

The Instinct to Breed — The End.