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Lessa is Wema’s first, and only, child with a mutation. She is treasured like no cub before her, and is named the Heir to the Hidden Valley Pride the moment she opens her eyes. Many of the pride’s elders try to talk Wema out of that decision, cautioning him on the dangers of naming a female heir, and one so young when he is nearing retirement age. Wema won’t hear a word of it, however, he is too besotted with the tiny new princess.
Iliyopambwa, the king’s oldest remaining son, is named her Royal Protector, and her father begins searching for a suitable prince to betroth her too, someone to defend her rule. Lessa is too young to notice, or care, about the special treatment she is given. She goes about her life like any cub, spending most of her time with her mother and sister, and working hard during her royal lessons with her father. She is a lively, strong and happy cub.
When her father is dethroned, her mother is terrified for her safety. She rallies the royal guard to defend Lessa, and all the cubs, for new males tendency to kill cubs is well known. The guard, led by Iliyopamwa, mount a spectacular defense, and could have easily killed the new King Regandi, if Wema himself hadn’t stepped in. Regandi had beaten him fair and square, he tells his pride, and what’s more, the youth has no intention to kill the cubs. He intends to be the next monarch of the pride, and defend all its members with his very life.
In the face of such a glowing introduction from his sire, Iliyopambwa stands down, and the guard accept the new king. The pride follows. Lessa is the heir to the pride no more.
Regandi does have sympathy for the future he’s changed: he swears, in front of the whole pride, that Lessa may claim her place as his Queen when she is an adult, a gesture made out of respect to King Wema, and his bloodline. If she wishes it, that is, the choice will be up to her. Until she comes of age, he will take no Royal Consort, to rule at his side.
Lessa is one of six cubs that foster in the Kalahari Pride as older cubs, when the Hidden Valley broodmothers are overwhelmed with the Regandi Baby Boom. Her mother encourages her to go, and learn from Queen Faline, who is a Ruling Monarch, not a consort. Lessa agrees, but will miss home.
Queen Faline becomes her foster mother, and Lessa has to admit, she’s AMAZING! Faline is gentle, kind, and nurturing, but also noble and commanding. Lessa decides she wants to be just like her.
When Lessa returns to the Hidden Valley Pride, she looks at it with different eyes: she sees things she can change and improve, and lions she can look after. And…she sees Regandi, for the first time, as not the lion who defeated her father, but as…rather something else.
Lessa and Regandi marry just after her first successful hunt, and Lessa begins her reign as Queen. She has much to do to look after her kingdom. And Regandi…Lessa grows fonder of him every day. He is bold and courageous king, and a kind ruling partner who is always open to her ideas and insights. He relaxes a LOT once he has someone to help him shoulder the burden of ruling a pride, and Lessa is able to talk some sense into him about the prophecy he is so obsessed with.
The King and Queen make an extraordinary pair. Their marriage was a political match, but they grow to genuinely care for, and even love eachother.
Lessa and Regandi have six litters together; some of their children stay in the pride, and some seek their fortunes elsewhere. Her first cub, Amru, insists on leaving the pride, even when none of her friends do. Lessa is terrified for her, until her sister Gemma steps up and offers to go with her. Turns out, Gemma was feeling the urge to move on too. Lessa and Regandi find a measure of peace, knowing that aunt and niece will look after eachother.
Their second daughter, Milia, likewise leaves the pride as an adult, but she does so with three of her half-siblings, Obasi, Ashe, and Nettle, to found a pride of their own. Her parents know that all the territory near them is claimed, so the young lions will likely have to travel quite far before they find a good place to build a home. Lessa and Regandi give Milia their blessing anyway, and carry her in their hearts as she leaves on her adventure. With three huntresses and a well-trained male, they have no doubt the little pride will succeed.
First litter:
1. Amru ~ 794216287524 female, chased at age 2.3
Second litter:
1. Milia ~ 794217837781 female, chased at age 2.1
Third litter:
1. Erulan ~ female, kept.
2. Khari ~ male, kept.
Fourth litter:
1. Geno ~ 794222198549 male, chased at age 2.1
Fifth litter:
1. Gemira ~ 794225025917 female, chased at age 2
Sixth litter:
1. Lisaba ~ 794226686842 female, chased at age 2
2. Mahali ~ 794226686843 female, chased at age 2
3. Regea ~ 794226686844 female, chased at age 2
Adopted cubs:
1. Bastetta ~ female, kept.
~Lessa is trying to squish your toes. It tickles, and they think it's hilarious how much it makes you twitch.
~Lessa prances over to Grandpaw Wema with a small rat in their jaws. Grandpaw Wema proudly declares Lessa the best hunter in the pride, and his absolute favourite cub.
~Grandpaw Wema pulls Lessa aside to berate them after they misbehaved. You catch bits and pieces of what he says, including "back in my day" and "my mother would have skinned me for that". Never change, old man. 4x
~Lessa and Grandpaw ✨ Rego ✨ are playing on the outskirts of your pride's home. Grandpaw ✨ Rego ✨ is playing the bad guy, and when Lessa manages to get their teeth and claws snagged in Grandpaw ✨ Rego ✨'s mane, the old lion "dies" very dramatically, flopping onto his grandcub, who squeals in delight and declares that they are the king now.
~When Lessa's foster mother was out, Grandpaw ✨ Rego ✨ took it upon himself to entertain them until their auntie came back.
~You are happily eating dinner with your pride when Lessa flops right on you! Apparently she wanted to eat her meal in a warm lion pile. 3x
~Upon seeing you, Lessa mreows loudly and furiously rubs her head against your chin. 2x
~When you greet each other, Lessa pushes you on your side to the ground only to cuddle against your manly muscles.
~Lessa runs to you to snuggle in your magnificent fur! 3x
*Eyes changed from sandy to aqua*
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