A/N: The top and bottom illustration is to show both Heri and Auni. Aren't the lions so cute? 💕😩. I am soooo on the roll with these updates. I can't stop writing! Haha, you may enjoy and read chapter 6 below!

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Auni

The early morning sun was already well risen and the grass shone like it had its own gentle glow from within. The air felt chilly, that same coolness combined with moisture. The birds are doing their normal morning tune while the herds are feasting on tasty vegetation.

I opened my chestnut colored eyes seeing that morning has arrived. I rolled over from off my back now laying on my left side. I notice Heri is gone. He probably had went somewhere with his father. King Kovu might be teaching Heri already on how to be King. There isn't enough time to waste.

Queen Kiara and King Kovu are both aging. Their old, but not too old if you know what I mean. They are no where near elders yet, but will be there soon as more years come. They have to teach us every thing they know about being rulers and more important facts about the kingdom before they join the heavenly skies.

I couldn't help but to think about what happened last night. My best friend Bahiya is gone. She left the Pride Lands to live happily with her husband Makosa the Prince. I am happy for her decision. Everyone deserves to be happy and live with peace. It's what she wanted. I am just going to miss her. I have no one to talk to about personal things except for Heri of course. But i need a best friend. I dont have one here anymore. Bahiya was the only one. Perhaps I could become more closer friends with Maha. She is Heri's Aunt, we're going to become family soon anyways once married.

Queen Kiara was already talking to my mom about planning the wedding. I laughed at the thought. The Queen is such a happy, loving, and generous spirit. Marrying Heri will be the best day of my life! But i am not rushing it. I want to continue to take things slow. Everything has all happened at once with me now becoming the new Future Queen. It is a lot to take in. I was hoping Bahiya would have stayed and taught me every thing she knows about being Future Queen. But it's okay, Queen Kiara will show me the ropes!

"Good morning, Auni!"

It's Queen Kiara entering inside the cavern. I had no idea she was gone too. I thought she in the back of the cave sleeping still.

"Good morning, your highness!" I greet back, with a smile.

"I am glad that you are awake. I wanted to take you on your first Queen lesson."

"Oh, okay sure! I am ready."

I quickly got up on my paws and walked happily over to her. She chuckled at my excitement.

"Great, now follow me." She said, while exiting out the cave.

My mother and brother are both still sleeping. They won't even notice that I am gone. They'll probably think I'm with Heri anyways or hunting. I didn't worry about it. I cant believe i am about to start my first lesson! Yay!! Okay Auni, be serious.

I followed Queen Kiara down Pride Rock into the tall grasses. She suddenly came to a stop which caused for me to bump behind her.

"Oops! I am so sorry, your highness. It won't ever happen again." I apologized.

"It's okay. I was just simply testing you. Sometimes I will do that to see if you were paying attention. I see that you weren't." She said, not so impressed.

Dammit Auni, you messed up already! I lowered my ears. She turned around seeing my dad expression.

"Don't worry Auni, it's only day 1 of your lesson. I expect you to have a few mistakes. No one is perfect! Remember that."

I smile nodding my head. "Okay, got it!"

"Now, lets start with the basics. In order to be a Queen you must have good posture. You must stand and sit tall with your head titled high." Queen Kiara explained.

Queen Kiara gives a demonstration sitting. Although I am standing, i fix my posture standing much taller with my head tilted high. She clapped her paws now this time impressed.

"Very good!" She smiled.

"Thank you."

"Second, to be a Queen you must always make eye contact. It shows interest and also respect."

Me and Queen Kiara both make direct eye contact. It felt like we were having a eye contest. I tried so hard not to laugh because I feel so silly. If I laugh, I will mess up my lesson.

"Good!"

She took her eyes off me. I sigh with relief and smiled.

"Great, what's next?" I asked.

Queen Kiara circled around me which made me start to feel nervous and sweaty.

"Thirdly, to be a Queen you must always be at the King's side no matter what event or what goes on. He will expect you to be there for him as you are expect to be for your pride. It shows him honor, love, and of course respect."

"Okay."

"Lastly, to be a Queen you must remember the balance of the circle of life. There are rules to follow. You must memorize them. It's okay if they are out of order, but I still expect you to recite them all!"

I nod my head understanding. She stops circling around me.

"Number one, you are to respect all the creatures from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope."

"Does that include hyenas, Queen Kiara?"

She nodded, "Yes, including hyenas. That was a good question I am glad that you asked. Even though hyenas are our enemies, we still need to respect them. They also play an important role in the circle of life."

I look confused. "How so? All they do is fight and try to get on out nerves."

Queen Kiara laughed at my comment but then turned back to seriousness. "Auni I know it's hard to understand right now but, in a way hyenas do help. They help clean up waste of the dead animals or sick ones that we don't feed on. It helps keep the Lands clean from any germs or diseases."

"Oooooh okay that makes sense."

"As you can see, we all play an important role in the circle of life. Our job as lions is to keep the balance going making sure everything is in perfect order. Nothing shall harm! As long as we continue to protect and do what we are told."

I nod my head once again.

"Number two, you must learn how to fight to defeat your enemies. Those may include hyenas or other lions who could be trespassing in the land. Your job is to help your King keep your kingdom and pride safe. I'm sure one of our strongest lionesses wouldn't mind training you on how to better up your strength."

"Okay cool!"

"And lastly number three, you must remember the Great Kings of the past. I know you must have heard some of it from my son Heri. Correct?"

I nodded my head again for the third or fourth time. "Yes!"

Her reddish brown eyes are filled with curiosity. "Tell me what do know so far?"

"I have learned that the Great Kings are like spiritual gods who help and guide us throughout any situation."

"Yes, excellent! But not only just that, they also give us power and wisdom."

I raise one of my brows. "Power? How so?"

"It is a lot to explain and hard to understand. I didn't understand it quite easily either when I was your age. But as you grow much older and follow your heart, you will fully understand. We are one!"

Queen Kiara had placed her paw on top of my own. She's right, i don't understand it all.

"Okay. Wow, so that was all of the rules?"

"Yup!"

I chuckle. "I thought it would be more."

She shook her head and smiled. "Nope. I decided to go small and easy on you today. It's only your first lesson. I didn't want to pile everything on you at once. But i still fo expect you to remember and study those rules! Got it?"

"Got it."

"Great. You are free to go and enjoy the rest of your day. I will tell your mother how it went. You did good for a first timer in royalty."

I smiled warmly. "Thank you, your highness. I appreciate it!"

The Queen and I had both went our separate ways to enjoy the rest of our day. She went back home to Pride Rock while I went to go find Heri. I walked more deep inside the tall grasses and sniffed the air.

Heri's scent is close. I followed it to a less grassy area. Up ahead in a distance I can see Heri with his father. He must be having his lessons too! I stay back and watch. It looks like King Kovu is testing his fighting skills. They circle around each other pretending they are enemies. King Kovu made the first attack but Heri quickly dodged away.

"Awesome!" I whispered to myself.

King Kovu tried attacking again but this time Heri pounced on him strongly. Whoa! King Kovu falls onto the ground with laughter as they play wrestled.

"Big children!" I giggled.

I perhaps had said that too loud as they both stopped wrestling. They twitched their ears while scanning their eyes suspiciously around.

"Who's there?" Heri called out.

Uh oh...

I lay low behind a bush hoping not to get caught. Someone had jumped over the bush pinning me in the process as i screamed with my eyes closed.

"Oh, it's just Auni dad. No need to worry!" Said Heri, who still has me pinned.

"Hey there Heri! You can get off me now." I said, chuckling.

Heri got off me so I can stand back up on my paws.

He grins while raising a brow. "What are you doing Auni? I thought you would be with my mother this morning. She told me and my father that you be intending your first lesson!"

"I did already. It just ended! I came looking for you and I see that your busy still."

"Is there a problem, son?" King Kovu asks, while slowly walking forward to us.

I bow my head down respectfully to the King. "No, your highness. My apologies for interrupting Heri's lesson. It won't happen again!"

"In fact, Heri you are done for today. I see you do not need to improve in your fighting. You are very good! It reminds me of my younger days when I use to wrestle your Aunt Vitani."

Heri chuckled at the thought. I smiled standing beside him.

King Kovu turned around and started walking home to Pride Rock. "I will be leaving you two alone. I am going back home to find Kion so we can start our morning patrol. See you later!"

We both waved goodbye.

"Your dad is so awesome!" I chuckled.

Heri smiles then licked my cheek. "Yeah he is."

I purr and gave him a sweet nuzzle.

"So how did your lesson with my mom go?" Heri asked, while laying down in the grass.

I plopped down next to him. "It went great! She said I did good for a first timer. She loved that I asked questions."

"Sounds good!"

"Heh, yeah. What about you? I seen you out there beating your dad. Your going to be one strong King someday!"

Heri puffed out furry his chest proudly trying to impress me. "Of course! My job in the future is to protect you, our pride, and kingdom away from danger."

I rest my head underneath his chin purring once again. "And i know you will do an amazing job at too."

"D'aaaaw, thanks Auni! You're always supporting me. I appreciate it. I know I can forever count on you for anything."

"Same with you too."

We laid there in silence listening to the different sounds of animals that were around us who are out enjoying the morning sun. Out of no where i began thinking about when ghost King Simba was telling me that I am expecting. He said that I should wait for a better time to tell Heri the news. Surprisingly I haven't even told my mother. Only my brother Ishara and Queen Kiara knows. We kept it a secret away from everyone and King Kovu himself.

It was too early to tell the kingdom. But i do still want to tell Heri. I mean come on, he is the father. He deserves to know! What worse can happen? I'm sure he would be thrilled. I know Heri would love the idea of being a father. Although I did wish to be married first before becoming pregnant but oh well. The King and Queen weren't married when they had Heri and Makosa until afterwards. So it shouldn't be bad. It's time for Heri to know the truth.

"Heri?" I call, while breaking the silence.

He opened his emerald green eyes and smiled looking at me. "Yes, Auni?"

"I have something to share with you. It's good news actually!"

"Okay, like what? I am all ears!"

Well, here it goes...

"I'm pregnant."

Heri's eyes widen and has mouth hung open. Strangely nothing had came out of it. He just laid there staring. I waved my paw back and forth in front of his face.

"Heri, are you okay?" I asked.

Next thing you know he had hugged me tight. "Oh Auni this is great news! Oh my gosh!!"

I quickly covered his mouth and laughed. "Sssshhh! We must not let anyone hear about this. It's a secret!"

"Why? Shouldn't my parents and your mother know about this? They are the grandparents."

"Yes I am aware of that. My brother and your mother already know about me being pregnant but no one else does."

"Not even my father?"

"Nope."

Heri raised a brow. "And why not?"

"Because, it is too early for everyone to know. I'm not even a week pregnant yet! Only a few days. It'll be too much attention and I am not ready for that yet." I said.

Heri soon came to an understanding and nodded. He gave me a warm nuzzle. "Whatever works, I accept. Wow I cant believe we are going to be parents! I wonder if it's a girl or a boy."

I giggle at his excitement. "Well Heri, it is too early to know the genders yet. But I do hope for a little girl."

"Why? So it can be more work for you and I both? We would have to watch over her constantly making sure that she doesn't get hurt or picking the wrong guys."

"And I am okay with that."

Heri smirked. "Well I hope it is a boy so I can teach him on how to be King like me! He shall learn everything and how to get a beautiful lioness like yourself."

I blushed. "Oh Heri!"

I licked his nose with a soft purr.

"Either way I would be proud whatever we have. It's a blessing to have this gift." He said smiling.

"It is. What if I gave birth to more than one."

His eyes widen again. "Please Don't say that, Auni. I might pass out for real this time."

I laughed. "Oh Heri, don't worry. If so we will have lots of help from our parents and the Pride."

"One will be fine to start off with. Then maybe we can try again for a sibling. I don't think I can handle being a dad to three or more."

"Alright, that's being fair."

Heri rubbed his nose against my own. "Either way, we're going to be great parents I just know it. Thank you for this special gift Auni!"

We both continue laying there with smiles. I looked down at my furry belly. Soon it will grow bigger with a bump. Something innocent and adorable will be inside.

Girl or not, mommy and daddy will be waiting for arrival!