The two lionesses—Esha and Soara—had moved away to tend to Soara's injuries, leaving the male lions in the growing tension of the moment. Taka, still feeling the weight of the fight and the words that had been exchanged, found himself caught between a sense of pride in his actions and the unsettling undercurrent of doubt in his father's eyes.

Obasai, standing stiffly nearby, turned toward his son, his expression unreadable. The elder lion's voice, low and filled with an edge of something darker, broke the silence. "Was that really true, Taka? Did you save her?" His gaze was piercing, and there was no hiding the heavy disappointment that seemed to radiate from him. The weight of his words felt like an accusation, as though Taka had done something wrong by stepping in to protect Soara.

Taka nodded, though the movement felt mechanical, the familiar warmth of his father's approval feeling distant. He could feel the coldness rising inside him, the conflicting emotions swirling in his chest. The despair in his father's eyes and the subtle shift in his brother's stance made Taka shiver, but he stood firm, determined to explain.

"I... I did," he said, his voice quieter now, but resolute. He flicked his tail uneasily, avoiding his father's gaze. "I had to, didn't I? I mean, she's meant to be my queen—you promised her to me." The words hung heavily in the air between them, carrying a weight of expectation that seemed to press down on his shoulders.

Obasai let out a long, exasperated sigh and scraped his claws at the ground in frustration, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Mufasa, who had been watching the exchange from a distance. "She's still a stray, son," Obasai muttered bitterly, his tone cold and dismissive. "Just like this runt here." He jerked his head toward Taka's brother, his disdain evident in the words that followed.

Taka's chest tightened at the harsh words. His father had always been difficult to please, but this... This felt like something deeper, something personal. Obasai was seeing Soara as nothing more than an outsider, a piece to be claimed and controlled, rather than a lioness worthy of respect. The way he spoke of her... it stung more than Taka had expected.

"But well done," Obasai added, his voice slightly softer, but the praise felt empty, like a mere formality. With a flick of his tail, he padded off, his heavy steps carrying him away, followed closely by Taka's brother. The unspoken tension that had plagued their family now felt more like a heavy, insurmountable wall between them.

Taka stood in silence for a moment, his gaze following his father and brother's retreating forms. Then, from the corner of his eye, he saw Mufasa approach. The golden lion lowered his head in a gesture of acknowledgment, though his voice was laced with something strained.

"Well done, brother," Mufasa said, his tone tight, as though there was something he was forcing past his teeth. The words were meant to be congratulatory, but to Taka, they felt like a concession, as if Mufasa was struggling with his own conflicting feelings.

Taka's ears flattened against his head at the bitterness that lingered in the air. Why couldn't they believe me? he thought, a knot of frustration tightening in his chest. He had done what he had to do—what his heart had told him was right. And yet, in the eyes of his father, he was still just the same as the "runt" his father had so cruelly mentioned. Taka's jaw clenched, and for a brief moment, he wondered if he would ever be able to escape the shadow of those words.

But for now, there was nothing more to say. The approval he sought was not coming from his father, and the praise from his brother felt hollow. The path ahead seemed uncertain, but one thing was clear—Taka would have to find his own way, his own identity, even if it meant standing alone.

SCENEBREAK'

Esha's voice was soft but firm as she spoke, her tail flicking gently against Soara's head in an attempt to steady the younger lioness. "Sit still," she purred, her tone warm but commanding, as she carefully tended to Soara's injuries. "You can't get these wounds treated if you keep wriggling around." Soara sighed deeply, frustration evident in the way she shifted under Esha's touch.

"I know," she muttered, wincing slightly as the ointment stung her shoulder. "It's just that I don't understand why Taka would save me. I mean nothing to him." The words hung in the air, a question born from confusion, and the uncertainty in her voice made Esha pause for a moment, her paws still as she considered what to say.

Esha snorted softly, a knowing glint in her eyes. "That's not true," she said, her voice carrying a warmth that Soara hadn't expected. "You mean a lot to both those brothers. Trust me, I've seen the way their eyes soften when they look at you."

Soara's heart skipped a beat at the words, her gaze shifting uncomfortably. Taka? Soft? The idea seemed foreign to her. She had always seen him as a prince—strong, distant, and untouchable, like the world around him. But the way Esha spoke, it made her wonder if there was something she hadn't seen, some depth behind the prince's exterior that she had overlooked.

Esha sighed softly, returning her focus to the herbal ointment. The smell of the herbs was calming, though the sting of the treatment was still sharp as Esha applied it to Soara's shoulder. Soara winced, but she remained still, trusting Esha to tend to her wounds.

"It's up to you to choose whoever you want as a mate," Esha continued, her voice gentle but serious. The words were heavy with meaning, and Soara felt a wave of warmth flood through her chest at the quiet assurance in Esha's tone. It was the first time someone had made it clear that the decision was hers, that her feelings mattered more than any promise or expectation.

Soara let out a breath, feeling a small weight lift from her shoulders. It was strange to hear, especially when she felt so unsure of everything. The tension with Taka, the confusion over his actions, and the lingering doubt about where she truly belonged in this pride—it all swirled in her mind. But hearing Esha's words brought a sense of clarity, a reminder that she didn't have to be swept along by the tides of others' expectations. She had the power to decide what was best for her.

"I don't know what to do," Soara admitted quietly, her gaze lowering to her paws as she contemplated the words. "It's just so complicated. I don't want to hurt anyone."

Esha's expression softened, and she paused her work to look at Soara. "Love is complicated," she said with a knowing smile. "But you can't make everyone happy all the time, Soara. You have to follow your heart. Whatever that means for you."

Soara nodded slowly, absorbing the older lioness's wisdom. Maybe she didn't have all the answers yet, but for the first time, she felt like she had the space to find them. With a final, gentle touch, Esha finished applying the ointment and stepped back, giving Soara the chance to take a breath and reflect on everything that had unfolded.

As the silence lingered between them, Soara felt a renewed sense of strength. Maybe it was time for her to make her own choice, without fear of what others might think. The path ahead was hers to walk, and for the first time, it felt like she might just know where to start.