Ｄｉｃｅ

You wake up and take a walk around the pride, you stretch your wings and your body, yawning. It's early, really early, but that's okay, because you know that she's awake too. Queen Hatsuko is waiting for you. You walk around the lake and find your reflection in it. Even if it's morning, the dark coat still reigns the kingdom, and you see your fur mixing with the stars in that crystalline mirror. You know you're special, you've been told that since you were a cub. And then, you see her. She's special, like you. When you raise your eyes from the water, you see Hatsuko coming closer to you.

"Good morning, Kitty" she smiles, and so do you. You can see the sun is starting to show in the horizon, and the orange lights reflect in Hatsuko's fur. She's like the sky at dawn. She has stars all over her body, same as you, but she has the sun reflecting in them. You always thought your queen was beautiful.

"Good morning, Hatsu." You rub your head against her neck and then lie in the ground, yawning, again. It's too early.

Hatsuko lies with you and rests her head in your back, closing her eyes.

"You know... I never told you the past of the kingdom." She says, and you look at her, curious.

"That's right. I never got to meet King Ilinx." She nods. You know that's a hard memory for Hatsuko, but... You feel like she's ready.

"King Ilinx adopted me in the great fires. My parents died long time ago, and I was alone. I was really scared, and thought I was going to die but... He saved me. He was so weak though, the past king almost killed him, and he was bleeding a lot. I don't remember much about those times, but I know it was hard for him. Maybe too much." You can notice that's rough for her. "He did a lot for the kingdom, but he became cruel. All the bad things from his past gained weight in his mind. All the mistreatment, and the suffering" She takes a time to continue, and sighs.

"Hatsu, he loved you so much" You tell her, and she smiles.

"Yes, he did." Even though all the things they went trought, you can tell she has good memories. "He confessed to me, all the bad things he did. And asked me for forgiveness, thousands of times. My heart broke into pieces hearing him, he was being honest, and wanted the best for the kingdom. He knew he couldn't give them the future they deserved, and trusted me his place. He... He told me... He didn't deserve a good death."

You rub your nose against her cheek. "It's okay, Hatsu"

"I know..." She opens her eyes and looks at you. Her eyes are sad. "I can't and won't justify him or his acts. But I miss him, everyday. He did so many bad things... But took care of me when I was a cub, and loved me. Still, despite that, I will be a better queen. And I won't be alone."

She gets up and looks at you, asking you to accompany her. You nod and get up, both of start walking around the lake.

"Dice, Dice, look at me. Look at the sky. " It's a beautiful combination of night and day. Blue, and orange. Dawn. "I want you to be by my side. I want you to help me to do the right things for the kingdom. Please, Eurydice. Be my queen"

You look at her eyes, like the dawn itself. You can feel all your emotions bristling every fur in your body, the smile in your face grows immensely and you nod, a hundred times.

"I will. I will. I'm your queen, Hatsuko. I'm with you, and always will be."