Tale of Panthera Regina (Remake)

Chapter 43: A New Day

POV: Swamp

"Twig of the Acer Swamp will be ordered to serve the Royal family as punishment." Currere squealed, and Kadupul smiled, but Rex knew what punishment meant. "This means that Twig can never leave the Royal Territory without the permission of the Ruler and someone from the family being with him." Hail snapped as he narrowed his eyes at Swamp. "You will be the servant of the family for the rest of your life, and your freedom is stripped away."

*Did I hear that right?* Swamp wondered as he watched the snowy owl Griffin glare at him. The Swamp Monster had an awful feeling in the pit of his stomach.

The sun was still barely in the sky as the wind blew. It ruffle his feathers and chilled his body. Swamp shivered still not used to this climate. The Swamp Monster gulped as he hung his head in shame.

"Isn't this similar punishment to what Mason got?" Swamp heard Cursor whisper to Rex.Swamp saw Rex nod in the corner of his eye. The big cat looked at him and even nodded again but this time with a smile.

*What the heck?* Swamp thought as he was dumbfounded. *Isn't this worst? My freedom is gone and he has the gut to smile.....* The Swamp Monster facepalm. *That feline has a plan, doesn't he?*

"You may go." Hailstorm commanded Swamp.

Swamp looked up and saw that the mix breed was pointing inside the throne room. He walked in, not wanting to cause a scene. Currere was about to follow but was growled at.

Swamp felt his bone tense as he paused from the threat to his sister. The Swamp Monster slowly turned his head back to see what was going on.

Hailstorm was growling at Currere to stay put and that pissed him off.

Swamp wanted to lash out but he could not.

The Swamp Monster met the Queen's eyes and he nodded walking over towards her.

*I will not give anyone an excuse to hurt the Queen.* Swamp thought as he sat to the right of her throne. *She took Currere and I in and stood up for me. I cannot let that go in vain.*

(Rex)

Rex saw the Swamp Monster taking a seat on the right of the throne. The Griffin felt bad for Swamp. In the eyes of the public, he would be regarded as a slave. However, the Prince did feel hopeful. Swamp would be protected here and treated as family.

Rex did wonder one thing. *If slaves and pets are outlaws then why is it allowed for criminals?*

"Well, it's better than banishment or death." Kadupul sighed.

"At least now, you guys can't get rid of us," Currere said with a laugh being glared at by Hail.Rex returned the glare and did a low growl.

*I may not be heir, but I still outrank you.* Is what Rex thought with the growl but did not say those words. It would be considered rude and disrepectful to do it now.

"I wondered if Swamp would be okay with being a slave?" Rex said looking back at Swamp and his mother.

The Queen was off her throne and started to groom the Swamp Monster as if one of her own. Swamp did not look like he liked the grooming, but that was probably because he wasn't groomed by his mother for most of his life. In other words, Roseis's grooming was trying to comfort the Great Beast.

"Despite Hailstorm wording," Cursor spoke at full volume and growled at Hail when he looked at her as if to say 'bite me.' "This is more like imprisonment."

"That doesn't make me feel any better," Rex confessed.

"I know but it's better than the outcome." Cursor pointed out.