The Tiger Within 247 Trials

"There were three of us. Me, and the two Soft Paw boys. The elder of the two, Vi was my mate the younger was his little brother Tali." Moon explained softly, her eyes unfocused as she recalled that night. "We were headed home from… the hunt. Tali nearly jumped into a net, I noticed it just in time to knock him out of the way. Messed up my shoulder pretty good and i fell directly into the net." Moon continued on, but a deep sigh escaped her. She curled up a fraction tighter.

"I see… I am truly sorry. That must have been hard on you. Do you regret it? Saving the boy I mean." he clarified watching her closely as he continued to pet her. He could feel the sadness in her heart, making him want to comfort it away. Though part of him felt silly for trying to comfort such a large beast.

"No, how could I?" she replied with a soft laugh "The duty of a Princess is to protect her people even at the expense of her own life." Moon pointed out as she looked up at the mid day son. "My turn for a question I think. What are these 'Trials' you keep  mentioning?" Moon asked honestly wanting to avoid any more personal information. It was a dangerous game balancing vagueness and honesty. Sooner or later it would lead to a lie.

"To be honest, the trials are a huge mess. So to become Emperor and gain the power to protect my family I must complete four trials. First was have an heir, Raina. Second, have a political job and I handle the empire finances. Third, complete the Great Journey. Fourth, have a Empress." Clovis explained with a heavy sigh on the last one. Moon could tell that the last was the most difficult in his mind.

"Were you not married once before?" Moon asked remembering the grave in his garden.

"Yes, I was. However after my wife was poisoned I no longer qualified as a Emperor candidate unless I marry again. I have a girl in mind but I am concerned she will refuse." Clovis replied shaking his head,  letting himself fall back into his back.

"Why would she do that? Most women dream of a husband like you. Strong, powerful, intelligent and on top of that your kind, gentle, and a amazing father." Moon replied honestly finding his expectation of rejection funny.

"She has no taste for power as far as I can see. I am weaker than her skills wise, she is smart as a whip, and honestly she seems too careful to be swept up with pretty words. However, in the long run I think she is the only safe choice for Raina." Clovis mused aloud honestly glad to be able to talk to someone about this. Moon thought for several moments.

"That's all well and good but how do you feel about her?" Moon asked seeing the major flaw in his reasoning. It wouldn't matter how good she was for everyone else.

"I get along with her well. She's pleasant company. I don't think she will cause trouble." he replies carefully and Moon sighed sitting up to look down on him.

"Do you feel anything for her? Like actually feel any warmth or affection?" Moon asked prompting him quite a bit.

"I like her but not more than that.. at least i don't think so. It's been so d.a.m.n long I don't know." he replied honestly fl.u.s.tered by this question and Moon understood.

"Then till you know, don't approach her." Moon replied honestly.

"Why?"  he asked not seeing how it mattered. If he was willing to live off like they should be fine. Moon sighed.

"Because if she isn't motivated by power, good looks, or money then there is only emotional left. If you don't care about her and she needs to be loved you will be trapping a bird in a cage to starve to death." Moon replied without hesitation. Once again she looked away. Part of her screamed your out of line, the other part sighed knowing the words were true.