Another week, another chapter and as always enjoy reading :)
(Three days later)
Three days have past and Simba is quite getting the hang of his duties, with the help of Aminifu who taught and lend him a helping paw it's not so challenging anymore as he once thought it would be, the trees are starting to produce leaves and the lands are growing grass, the animals are also coming into number, much to Simba's relief, things are coming into place.
Today, Simba had finished his duties earlier than usual so he went home to spend his free time to rest and relax for a bit, also to be prepared in case Zazu calls him in to do an afternoon duty. Simba although he's happy to finally rest he felt lonely if he's gonna be honest, he's the only male lion in the pride at the moment, he's longing for a male bond a brother whom he can relate to but to no hope it's possible since his childhood friends Chumvi, Malka and Tojo fleed the Pridelands when Scar ruled and he has no idea where they went, Nala only told him a few days ago that their male friends including her brother Mheetu left because Scar vanished any male lion that could possibly be a threat to him.
Simba might send Zazu soon to try and contact them, inform them that he's alive, breathing and missing them if he had any luck.
"Simba?", Sarabi asked coming into the den approaching her son who is alone and somehow lost in his thoughts.
Simba was startled when his mother nuzzled him to get his attention but he eventually returned it, "Hi mom, is there anything you'd want to talk to me about?, he asked also remembering that at this time the lionesses are hunting and his mother should be there too, "I thought you were with Nala and the other lionesses to hunt", ah...he couldn't help but mention Nala in his sentence.
"I wanted to but I didn't because I have an important matter to discuss with you", Sarabi stated in a serious and formal tone.
Simba stood up from his place to sit facing the queen, he knows this is something serious, "Go ahead mom, what is it?"
"We all know that you've been king for a couple of days now and as part of the royal tradition you, a king will need a queen to be by your side and an heir to continue on the Royal Bloodline", Sarabi explained.
Simba gulped before replying, he knew this subject would eventually be discussed, "Mom, I know I will be needing a queen but it's not the right timing, I'm still busy with my duties to make sure the Pridelands is what it used to be, a queen is just not my top priority right now, and besides, you can still enjoy your time as queen, so live the moment ". he said cheerfully thinking he would get away from the subject.
Sarabi sighed, "Oh Simba, I'm not that young anymore to continue on as queen and I'm long gone as a queen when your father passed on. I've done my part and I hope soon you'll find the right one who will continue where I left", she also added smiling, "How about Nala?, she would make a great queen and let's not forget she's still affianced to you"
Simba tried to hide his happiness as hard as he could, he loves the idea of Nala being his queen but only if she loves him back, he doesn't want to force her, yes they've been affectionate towards each other when they reunited but it's just because they missed each other so much?, or is it something else?, he questioned himself.
"I don't know mom, I mean if she doesn't love me I won't pressure her to become my queen just because we're meant to marry each other", he explained, "But if she does, I'll gladly accept her", a little smile forming on his face.
Sarabi smiled, she knows her son is in love with the lioness she and Mufasa intended him to marry, she can see right through him, she's also happy that he's very considerate, "You should talk to her about this then".
Simba's eyes widen, he's not ready to talk to her about this, but he just nodded to his mother to not make the discussion any longer, "I will"
TLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKTLKT
Nala and the other lionesses including her mother had just returned from the hunt, they caught two average sized zebras, it's enough for the whole pride, besides they didn't want to overhunt since the herds had just come back and are just starting to multiply.
The rest of the lionesses went to Pride Rock dragging the two carcasses, Nala didn't come with them, she excused herself that she would stay at the waterhole for a few minutes and will eat later but the truth is she intended to go to Rafiki's tree for a check-up on her and the cub since she's felt the tightness again during the hunt, she's growing worried for her and Simba's baby, yes, their child but she still wants to keep her mouth shut about it from the pride especially from Simba.
"Ah dear Nala, what brings you here today?", Rafiki greeted as he saw Nala approaching.
Nala greeted, "Good afternoon Rafiki, just wanted to have another check-up with my pregnancy"
"So tell me dear, what have you been feeling lately?", Rafiki asked while gently pressing on Nala's abdomen
Nala sighed, "I've been feeling a bit of pain and tightness whenever I'm not having a 'good mood' and whenever I'm doing vigorous activities, for example this afternoon I joined the hunting party"
"Oh Kings above, Nala I advice you to not join the hunting party as much as possible, I told you de cub is at risk here, it is barely holding on. Let's just say dat whenever you are stressed and too active it's slowly losing it's grip, holding onto dear life and if you continue to disobey my words I apologize but you will lose de cub", Rafiki explained sadly.
Nala's heart stopped when she heard what the shaman said, she doesn't want to lose her cub, she won't allow it, never, even if she has to sacrifice her love for hunting she will do it just for her baby.
"Alright, I promise I won't hunt or stress myself out anymore", Nala reassures, "Thank you for looking out for my unborn cub Rafiki", she added
Rafiki chuckled, "You're welcome and of course, It is my job to make sure King Simba's son will live, be healthy and make a great king in de near futu-", he stopped his sentence then he quickly hold his hand against his mouth when he realized he mentioned the cub's gender, it's a strict rule to not tell because of traditional reasons.
Nala's eyes widened when she heard the word 'son', "Wait!, what?, I'm carrying a boy?, how did you know? Rafiki?", she asked curious.
Rafiki sighed looking at the sky, "Oh stars forgive me", then turned to the young lioness to explain, "As a shaman, I've always known what the gender of the cub of the current king will be before it is born, just like when Sarabi was pregnant with Simba, I've always known he will turn out to be a male cub, the king's above inform me about it and that's all I can say to you dear"
"That's amazing Rafiki", Nala is intrigued with Rafiki's capabilities, but she still can't believe she's carrying a boy, she's pregnant with the future king, it's a bit shocking to take in but she's filled with joy.
When Rafiki said his last sentence, Nala also thought of asking for advice from Rafiki, "Rafiki one last thing before I go, I need advice from you about Simba and you know, the cub"
"Continue continue I'm listening", Rafiki replied.
Nala sighed looking down, "Do you think I should tell Simba about the cub?"
Rafiki replied, "I see no reason on why you should hide his son from him, so de obvious answer is yes", he asked, "Why do ask Nala?"
'Well...I've been struggling to decide on telling him because I don't think he loves me as a mate so I thought he won't accept the cub because he doesn't love it's mother", Nala stated.
Rafiki only laughed, "Nala, he is in love with you, I can see it with my own eyes, even Mufasa knew Simba would fall for you, and even if he doesn't like you think, the cub is still his son and heir. Tell him Nala."
Nala nodded, now she realized what kind of selfish mother she would have turned out to be for her son, she planned to take away her cub from his father and throne when it is his right. She also felt sorry for her mother, Sarafina that she had to deal with her stubbornness just to follow what she wanted, besides she loves Simba ever since they reunited, she was just blinded by the bad way of caring for Simba, that she became selfish to her unborn son but now it's all clear, she has decided to tell Simba and that's final, she just need to gather up the courage to do so.
"Thank you again Rafiki, I've decided that I'll tell him about the cub" Nala smiled pulling Rafiki in for a hug.
Rafiki replied, "My pleasure"
Nala started to head back to Pride Rock, while walking she don't know what came over her but she turned to her stomach and whispered in a soothing voice, "I don't know if you can hear me yet, but I just wanted to say that I will do my best to be the mother you deserve, my little prince."
A/N
And finally, Rafiki knocks some sense into Nala's head, he always does anyways and we also found out the cub's a boy, well it's not a surprise anymore xD
Bye for now!