Chapter 307: Honor
[LION TRIBE]
The entirety of the Lion Castle was filled with hustle and bustle. Many arrangements were being made across the tribe that resembled the beginning of a celebration. It was rather a duty-driven mindset that all the tribesmen had. Their beloved king was dead and they were still mourning but that did not stop them from performing what they must for the tribe’s good. Coronation of the new king must be done as soon as possible to strengthen themselves against an unknown force that had killed their late king.
Being one of the strongest tribes in Beast City, they had certain criteria to meet. They must never show themselves as weak and those that can be easily trifled with. Many tribes might have shown their sympathies for the tragedy that befell the Lion tribe but it was nothing but mere courtesies. Most out of them were predators in the shadows waiting to pounce when the time was right. As much as the Lion tribe was revered, it was also an object of ire to enviable Beasts who wished for power.
Noah thought the same as he looked at all the preparations happening around him. He had to admit, it left a bitter taste in his mouth to take his father’s place when it had been only a few days after the latter’s burial. Like a normal beastman, he wanted to continue mourning his father in peace. But peace has never been an option for the royalty. Not to him nor to his parents. They have to constantly stay on their toes and fulfill the role given to them. His babies too will face the same in the future.
Here he was about to ascend the throne that he might not be worthy of. Maybe he would have been ready in a few more years if his father had lived to counsel him but now....he felt like he was nothing but a youngling gaining crown just because he was born privileged. The turmoil in his head kept spiraling to the worse until it stopped when he heard the sweetest voice to ever exist. The voice that he was blessed to hear to the end of his life.
"Noah?" Could the songs of the spring morning bird sound this sweet? Noah couldn’t help but wonder and the answer to that was simple. No sound in this world could match the sweetness of his Baby dove.
"I was searching for you everywhere," Lyra said as she made her way toward the balcony where Noah stood, "What happened, sweetheart?" her eyes softened as she observed his haggard face.
As soon as his mate reached him, Noah wasted no time in pulling her into a hug. Lyra likewise returned the hug after a moment of surprise. She soothingly rubbed his back and waited for him to talk. She already had a vague idea about the reason he was so upset but instead of assuming, she wanted to hear it from his mouth. She believed that having patience in a relationship is very important.
Her guess turned out to be true when he parted his lips and said, "Everything feels overwhelming, I don’t think I’m ready to take on my father’s responsibilities. I don’t feel worthy. Will my tribesmen accept me as their king?"