<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>King Leomedes<br/>Outside the Throne Room</strong></span></span><br/><br/>General Oceloto had been laughing merrily at the king’s antics when Leona’s approach made him raise a cuffed paw to his mouth as he coughed to alert His Majesty. The king glanced to his right and stiffened upon seeing his daughter. His fur puffed up when her tail tenderly caressed his arm. He forced a crooked grin until she greeted:<br/><br/><strong>My King and General, I was hoping to meet up with Leonaar before everyone gets too swept up in the Ceremony preparations. How has the day treated the both of you, so far?</strong><br/><br/>The king relaxed. His fur settled. She hadn’t suspected a thing. Crossing his large arms behind his back, the king puffed out his armor-clad chest and raised his head high and proud, making his appearance larger than his usual seven-foot-three composition. He put on his distinguished mask as his azure eyes lowered to his daughter.<br/><br/>“I have been very hard at work, my daughter. There are many preparations to be made, and perfecting them has been my highest priority. As of now, you may not understand the true importance of this ceremony or the responsibilities that may befall either you or Leonaar, but you will once one of you gains possession of the Sword of Omen,” said the king.<br/><br/>The general bowed his head and scratched at one of his spherical ears. It had been a good substitute for face-palming. The king knew how to put on airs.<em>Yes, very hard at work. I suppose that includes ditching your meetings?</em>Oceloto mused. It had always baffled him how the king and Lionessa made such an inseparable pair. He had dwarfed her and she had him curled about her ring finger, probably even further than that. Such a ferocious-looking-man had clearly been pussy-whipped.<br/><br/>Leomedes grinned when Leonaar nervously approached. His son was the spitting image of him! Well, minus the height, the brawn, and courage.<br/><br/>“Straighten up boy, raise your mane for it is the natural crown of a true king. What ails you? Are you sick or is the anxiety of the approaching big day getting to you?” interrogated the king.