chapter 2
A couple of days had passed and Lion-o had been showing Hannah around. Today Hannah was being fitted by the royal tailors. Since she was staying at the palace Claudius and Leona wanted her to have some nice clothes instead of the raggedy ones she had. The tailors made sure to get the measurements right.
"Okay the dresses will be made now you just have to chose the materials," the tailor said.
Hannah chose some lovely materials for her dresses.
Lion-o was showing Hannah around. "This place sure is big," Hannah said.
Many of the cats in the kingdom noticed Lion-o showing Hannah around. They were surprised to see this young lioness. They heard of her and how she became a lioness it was quite the story.
"There is much to see," Lion-o said.
Lion-o showed her the mounts in the royal stable. "This one is mine," Lion-o said petting it's snout.
One of the mounts nosed Hannah. "Hello," Hannah said petting it.
"That one seems to like you, we could never find anyone to ride her," Lion-o said.
"I see," Hannah said.
"So do you want to go for a ride later?" Lion-o asked.
"Sure," Hannah said.
Hannah and Lion-o saddled up the mounts and went for a ride.
"Leona have you seen Lion-o?" Claudius asked.
"Oh he went out riding mounts with Hannah," Leona said.
"I see," Claudius said.
They came back a bit later. "Hello did you enjoy the ride?" Leona asked.
"Yes it was fun," Hannah said.
"Well we have somethings to do, there is going to be a ball next month and we need everything to be ready." Claudius said.
"Yes father," Lion-o said.
"You will be going to the ball to Hannah," Claudius said.
"But I've never been to a royal ball before, the closest I've been to a big dance party was dance lessons," Hannah said.
"I see, don't worry everything will be fine," Claudius said.
"I sure hope so," Hannah said.
Hannah was taking ball room dancing lessons. She was doing well. Lion-o was taking lessons too. They sometimes practiced together. Hannah was a fine dancer.
Today Lion-o and Hannah were in the garden. "Thanks to you Lion-o I know more about being a lion, and more about where I live now," Hannah said.
"You're welcome and thanks to you I know more about where you came from, Jaga told us it was your destiny to come here, I wonder what that destiny is," Lion-o said.
"I'm wondering that too Lion-o, maybe it's something to do with Thundera, or maybe more than one thing," Hannah said.
"Who knows," Lion-o said. "But I like being with you," he said.
"I like being with you too," Hannah said.
They sat down at dinner. Hannah sat across from Lion-o. He smiled at her and she smiled back. She was starting to feel something for him but she couldn't place it. He was starting to feel something for her too but he couldn't put his finger on it.
A couple of days later they were walking in the garden. Lion-o found a flower and thought Hannah would like it. He showed it to her. "It's lovely," Hannah said.
"It's called heart orchid, it's said this flower is a sign of love and that giving it means love is in the near future," Lion-o said.
"Well maybe it means something," Hannah said.
Lion-o placed the flower in Hannah's hair. She kissed his cheek and he smiled.
The ball was going to be soon in a week.
Hannah and Lion-o had feelings for each other. They realized they loved each other. They held hands while walking in the palace or the garden. They sat down next to each other close together. Hannah and Lion-o would touch foreheads. They would sit in shade of a tree and Hannah would lean against Lion-o.
Everyone at the palace noticed the two of them were growing closer and closer. "Claudius it looks like Lion-o is in love with Hannah and she is in love with him," Leona said.
"Yes I think they make a lovely couple," Claudius said. "I think they should be married." he said.
"Yes I never seen Lion-o this happy," Tygra said.
"I can tell the wedding is a good idea, her destiny must be that she was supposed to be here all along I think she was meant to be Lion-o's love, bride, wife, and queen." Jaga said.
"Okay then," Claudius said.
Claudius and Leona saw Lion-o and Hannah sitting together by the pond. They looked so happy then they leaned in and kissed for the first time. "I love you Hannah," Lion-o said.
"I love you too Lion-o," Hannah said.
Claudius and Leona came up. "Father, mother," Lion-o said.
"We are happy for you two," Leona said.
"Yes I think you two are meant to be together," Claudius said.
"Father I love Hannah," Lion-o said.
"Didn't you hear us? We accept that you two are in love," Claudius said.
"This is wonderful," Lion-o said.
"It is," Hannah said.
"We remember falling in love too," Leona said.
"We sure do," Claudius said.
"Hannah I know this is very sudden but would you marry me?" Lion-o asked.
"Yes," Hannah said.
"Alright then we will announce the engagement at the ball," Claudius said. "Then we have a royal wedding to plan!" he said.
This was a joyous time indeed.