"We have something to ask of you, lady Rhea."
Kneeling on the floor in front of me were Scar and Kovu. They have a stern look on their faces, creating a heavy atmosphere. Ragna is currently away, so I feel a little intimidated by them.
"What is it?" I asked, keeping my cool.
"Yes. We noticed it when the ants attacked."
"Umu. We couldn't believe it."
Instead of answering my question, they just nodded at each other.
"We'll dedicate ourselves to you, lady Rhea!"
"So please, consider us as well!"
Both of them shouted and put their heads on the ground.
Huh? What are they talking about?
"I don't understand. Explain," I urged.
"We know you're carrying the chief's child. We can see it by your stomach, and we can smell the chief in you."
"We ask that you carry our children as well."
I froze on the spot upon hearing their request.
I haven't even given birth to my first child, and I'm already being asked for a second and a third one?
"You're right that I'm pregnant with Ragna's child, but it's inconsiderate of you to ask me that," I said, a thread of sweat running down my head.
"We know."
"But we can't just come to you when the chief is around."
The truth is, Ragna had predicted this exact situation to happen. That's why he asked me to wear a dress that would hide my stomach. But that didn't seem to matter in the end. My stomach had gotten too big to hide, and Kovu and Scar can apparently tell I'm pregnant just by my smell.
"We want our bloodline to exist in the future as well."
"You're our only chance, lady Rhea."
As their two remaining females had seem to have gotten infertile, they have no other way to procreate anymore. Some other female lionkin might still be somewhere out there in the world, but they have no way of knowing that for certain. To continue their bloodlines, their best bet is me.
Kuvo and Scar are the youngest in their tribe, so they're the healthiest and most energetic out of all of them. If not for their lack of population, they would be at the age when they would be looking for mates. If I wanted to actively fulfill my mission in this world, they would be the top candidates to be my partner.
Both their circumstance and mine should perfectly match.
Despite that, I still shrugged them off.
"I can't talk about this now," I flatly said.
"That can't be..."
"Argh..."
They both snarled and grinded their fangs.
They look terrifying, but knowing they wouldn't do anything to hurt me, I didn't back down.
The reality is, I cannot promise them anything right now. I'm already feeling anxious and emotional about the inevitable birth of my first child. I don't want to make a decision while I'm unstable.
But I don't want them to harbor hate or jealousy either. Those feelings could lead to bad things. That's why, I won't accept nor deny them, I'm choosing a third option.
"I'm not saying I won't consider your request, I'm just saying it won't happen right now. Come back and talk to me another time."
I chose the coward's way: I'll let the future me decide what to do.
"Of course!"
"Thank you, lady Rhea!"
Light went back in Scar and Kuvo's eyes.
Anticipating future trouble, I palmed my face and groaned.