Tale of Panthera Regina (Remake)

Chapter 22: Azure

(Regina)

The Snow Leopard with green eyes like little jewels sat in the throne room of the Royal cave. The feline was facing West, towards the view of the forest of Veteres. The sun rose, casting a shadow over it. Regina could still see some stars that clung to the sky as if they refused to give the sun a chance. Despite the light war in the sky. The Snow Leopard wasn't completely certain where the sun was located but didn't dare to move to check.

The Princess of the Island was told to remain here until her mother returned from gathering the other cubs. Queen Roseis wanted everyone to attend the meeting. Well, almost everyone. Macula, Viola, Leo, Lily, and Sola were going to stay in the nursery. However, Pola, Bamboo's polar bear cub was invited. Regina felt conflicted. Pola was not her cousin by blood, but she couldn't reject her either. Thus, the subjects of the island must recognize that Bamboo's cubs were seen as unsaid royals.

*I don't understand why mother just doesn't announce them.* Regina thought. If a ruler announced someone as part of the family, then they have protection and status.

Regina felt the stone beneath her. It was cold yet warm. There was a rock that had been placed near the entrance of the giant mouth of the cave. She believed Mason had placed it there for the guest to sit on. However, the Snow Leopard wasn't positive if the Stranger was allowed to attend. Mother often only allow Mason free rein if no one was visiting. This was more to protect him than for the sake of others.

The rock was to serve to allow the ruler to view who was coming and going. It also allowed birds to give reports. The mouth of the cave really had no purpose besides for viewing as there was no way down safety. It was at least a twenty to twenty-five-foot drop with nothing breaking a creature's fall.

Regina was still confused why she was the first one that her mother awoke and that Mason and Bamboo were going to attend. However, not even a minute passed when her ears perked up. Footsteps and whispering were coming from the direction of where she came from, which was the sleeping area.

The cave was set up like a small map, almost. The mouth of the cave was to the West, the Queen's (ruler) throne was East, the main sleeping areas, where the royals slept, was South, while the exit was facing North. Mother always said the Royal Cave was meant to be large and maze-like to allow all the relatives to be comfortable, but now left barren because her Grandfather cast out their cousins, which she believed to be the African Elephants, but wasn't positive.

Regina watched as Adamas, Crsytallum, and Carbunculus came from the Southern Caves and walked to sit next to her. She realized that they took her spot, which made her upset. The second born of Roseis was sitting directly on her mother's right, which was normally reserved for the firstborn. However, since Rex wasn't here. It will go to the second born. The Snow Leopard could tell that this made her even more uneasy as Crystallum stared at her with an unwelcoming gaze.

*It's not like I want to take his spot.* Regina thought as she hung her head. She felt guilty because she didn't want to take Rex's spot or have him be replaced. She knew it was a seating arrangement, but it bother her so much that he wasn't there.

"To bad that Stars of Snow face Northwest this time of year. We could play count the stars or guess the shape."Carbunculus said suddenly, trying to break the awkwardness that was forming.

None of the siblings ever had to attend a meeting before without Rex being present. It was obvious that he kept the siblings safe and comfortable.

Regina turned to look at her sister and smiled. She worried that the Amur Leopard was still upset about failing her hunting test, but she guessed that the talk with her mom helped ease her fears.