Ilaria

Ilaria smiles warmly at you. "I know you are thinking that both a queen and a king are not common to find in one pride. But I can explain. I was once known as Sylvie. I came to this pride as a very young cub, discovered to be inbred beyond what is often acceptable in these parts. The king wanted to get rid of me, because I could not be used for breeding." She gestures at her nursing cubbin. "He kept me around as an attendant in the House of Newborns for some time, as he had a soft spot for me and could not bring himself to let me go. He is now the grandpaw and his successor, Roengten, wanted me as his queen, even despite my origins. Our cubs are kept within the pride, and never traded. Do you have any more questions?" You ask if she ever leaves this cave so that her children are not at risk before they are weaned. "That is a great question," she says. "But I could not leave my lionesses in here without my leadership. I stay here with my cubs before they wean, and their broodmothers come in to keep an eye on them. They go to the House of Nutbars like every other cub until they are old enough to go elsewhere. I do not feel any of my litters have been unsafe, but regardless, it is a risk I take for the sake of the king's subjects."