The Lion's Lady

The Price of A Promise

After the Lions threat, both of the bodyguards stand in fear whilst protecting Algar and Alfonso.

Algar frightenedly says, "I-I didn't know that was your lark. I-I will correct my mistake, s-so please spare us."

The Lion's growl was so deep that they trembled with fear, and as he got closer his shadow enveloped them.

The Lion overbearingly says, "Nothing can save you."

The Lions sharp purple eyes pierced their souls.

Algar frightenedly says, "P-please, I'll promise to pay absolutely anything, s-so please spare us!"

The Lion looks at the trespassers with curiosity and says, "You'll pay anything, you say?"

Algar was nodding and reassuring the Lion that he would do as he says as long as the Lion spared their lives.

The Lion was pleased to hear this and said, "Hmm~ Promise to give me whatever you first meet when you return home." Then he started to look at them menacingly and continued to say, "If you do, I'll let you live and take the lark."

Algar frightenedly realized the possibility of one or all of his precious daughter's meeting him first, and regrets making such a deal with the Lion, so he hesitantly says "B-but, suppose one of my precious daughters were to greet me first!"

Before the Lion could respond Alfonso interjected out of fear and said, "S-sir Algar, y-your daughters might not n-necessarily be the first to meet you. I-it might be a cat or a dog that'll meet you first."

Algar, not having a say, decides to take Alfonso at his word and agree to keep his promise and bring whatever first meets him when he returns home. So, one of the bodyguards took the lark, given from the Lion. And Algar and his party made their way back home with Algar hoping that none of his daughters would meet him first. But, unfortunately his hopes were all for naught, because when he opened his door to enter the house. It was none other than all three of his daughters standing in front of him to greet him happily, then the lark started to sing again.

Lilli excitedly said, "Oh! It sounds like you found the singing, soaring lark!"

Both Linda and Liese were happy and surprised that their father found the lark, but they all soon noticed that their father had started to cry and fall to the floor.

Lilli and Liese both asked, "What's wrong, did something happen?" and Linda asked, "Are you okay father?"

They all moved to the dining room to sit at the dining table, and when Algar was able to calm down enough. He sadly stated, "My dear children, I'm sorry, I have promised you to a Lion who'll tear you into pieces when he has you." Then, Algar explained all that happened in the forest.

Liese was terrified and asked, "Does... This means... We're going to die?"

Lilli was filled with guilt and felt at fault for asking for a lark in the first place. But, Linda gets up and consoles them and says, "Don't worry, I'm sure everything's gonna turn out fine."

Algar thought for a second and said firmly, "That's right, I have no intention to send you away!"

Both Lilli and Liese were surprised and happy about what their father had said, but Linda was concerned about the consequences of such actions and said, "Are you sure, father? What about the consequences?"

Algar was still firm and responded with, "I don't want to send my daughters into a beast's den."

But, Linda was still concerned about what could happen if they provoked the Lion and said, "But, Father... You made a promise with said beast. Do you think we can handle the repercussions?"

Hearing about the repercussions that might follow has made Algar hesitant in his response, "I... Don't know. I'm sure we can figure out a way to handle or... Even avoid this."

Linda sighs and shakes her head after hearing her father's response, but before she can respond. Lilli interjects and says, "I think I should go alone... After all it was my fault that..." Linda cuts her off before she could finish her statement and reaffirms to her that she wasn't the only one who greeted their father at the door, they all did at the same time. Liese also agrees and says "Right! It was all of us, so all of us should go."

Algar was still against the idea and suddenly said, "B-but, you are my precious daughters, I can't just let you go so easily... And without a fight."

But, Linda put her hand on his back to console him and stated that he had to keep his promise, because they don't know what the Lion is capable of, nor can they afford to find that out. So, instead Algar suggested that they wait as long as possible because the Lion didn't give him a deadline. They all agreed, but Linda was still a little worried if there was going to be repercussions in doing so.

The Lion is on his way home from a stroll when he runs into one of its aide, Burnard. The aide is worried about the Lion not giving the trespassers a deadline to the agreement and said, "Your Majesty, it's been quite some time now and there's still no sign of that trespasser keeping his promise."

The Lion was not worried in the slightest and states, "You worry too much, Burnard."

Burnard still worried states, "What if he tries to run away or stall too long."

The Lion reaffirms Burnard and says, "Even if they run away, we can track them down with the lark." Then with a serious tone, "I'll give him a month, it's hard to give up people you cherish..."

Burnard agrees with his Majesty, and worriedly thinks to himself, "I hope his proposition to the trespasser doesn't gets to His Majesty too much, this much needs to be done... it's all according to the prophecy."

-End of Chapter 2