The Tiger Within

"I just wanted to be sure you are on equal footing . We do not want Princess Vella to feel we are not treating you properly again . We could do without any more… misunderstandings . " Queen Fae added with a sweet smile . The words implied that Vella had mislead them intentionally, and his hand tightened beneath the table .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntThe soft feeling of fur brushing across his hand brought him back from the thoughts of how to respond to the woman . The White tigress looked up at him with oddly familiar eyes as her fluffy head rested against his leg . A small smile crept over his lips as he moved his hand, her chin resting near his thigh . The distraction was enough to curb the edge of his discontentment .

"I am certain there will be no such misunderstandings . In truth from here on I will either take the crown or I will not . However, I will not take a sub par Bride simply to make myself eligible for the throne . Afterall, women can be tricky, some may seem pure and true but turn out to be more black bellied than any poisonous snake in the forest . Once I find the Propper mother for Raina, I will be on equal footing with my brothers . " Clovis replied coolly, his eyes landed on Feya for a brief moment before falling back to the tigress near him . His new companion being quite the relaxing creature to have near .

"I see . Though you must think more about this woman than simply a mother for Raina . Your wife, should you win the crown, will be the mother of the nation . " Damar reminded with a smooth smirk . His dark hair fell into his eyes as he watched his brother"s expression . Unlike the others he knew more of the affair between Feya and Clovis long before Bastil had laid hands on her . "Afterall, her Mother was weak and unable to care for her daughter well . " Clovis shared a slight smile with Damar . They often did not get along, but the occasion that they teamed up against Bastil being the only true comradery between them both .

"I am aware . That is why I intend to choose a mother for Raina . I would chose nothing but the best to raise the future Empress, and the country deserves the best don"t you think?" Clovis replied with a smile . "The values needed to raise a proper child are very similar to the qualities of a good Empress . "

Lady Evelyn beamed with pride at her son"s words, knowing she had raised him well . Even the Emperor smiled at the cheeky wisdom of his son"s conclusion, he didn"t notice the looks of distaste from the other two women at the table, but Kyera did . She stretched sitting up, unsure why her chest suddenly felt a bit heavy . The movement drew Clovis" eyes, and a soft smile on his lips . His hand reached out and pet between Kyera"s eyes .

She froze, her body tense enough to be noticed by the other familiars in the room . Rashan sat up looking at her curiously . Even the Lion sat up straighter . Clovis knew there was something wrong but hadn"t quite figured out how to retreat without being bitten . Kyera recovered first and allowed herself to turn her head enough to catch his fingers in the fluff at the side of her cheeks . He released the air he hadn"t noticed he was holding as the tension seemed to break .

"No one quite knows what to expect of me it seems . " Kyera thought as she met eyes with the other familiars, making sure to set their worries at rest . She knew they would defend the royal family no matter what may come but, she also knew most of them didn"t want to have to try and face her . Yes, she was one Tigress, wounded for that matter but she had the shadows at her call . That was enough to make her more of a true threat, whether she used to fighting with them or not .