The Tiger Within 169 Royal Tea Part 2

"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.

The 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.