The dining hall was a study in opulence. Sunlight streamed through tall windows of coloured glass, casting brilliant hues across the long, polished table laden with meats, fruits, and silver platters. Servants of various herbivorous beastmen species stood at attention, their heads bowed, waiting to attend to the needs of their lion-like masters. At the head of the table, King Sargon of Aslan sat, a mountain of a man with deep bronze skin, piercing green eyes and a golden mane flecked with streaks of silver. His presence seemed larger than life, so intense Sol could feel her body reacting, warning her that she was in a room with an apex predator.
She felt small.
The princess had always been delicate in her appearance—fine-boned and willowy compared to her powerful siblings—but what truly set her apart was her lack of a beast form. Where others had ears, tails, or claws that hinted at their beast forms, Soleil looked almost entirely human.
When she had gotten her memories, she'd discovered that her family and the entire kingdom looked down on her for it. While there were others in the world who lacked beast forms, they were rare and universally disdained for their lack of strength. The fact that Soleil was of royal lineage made her powerlessness all the more disgraceful in the eyes of her family.
So in this world, she was still considered defective. She wanted to ask the goddess why she couldn't catch a break, but she didn't want to seem ungrateful.
Soleil stood silently in the archway of the dining hall, her hands nervously clutching the folds of her dress as her gaze swept the table. Her father hadn't yet noticed her arrival.
To his right sat Crown Prince Thalion, the eldest child of the family and the heir. His long, golden hair fell neatly over his shoulders, and his sharp amber eyes surveyed the room with quiet disdain. He carried himself with the effortless pride of a lion who knew no one could touch him.
To the king's left were the infamous twins of Aslan, Prince Kael and Princess Kefira. Their striking resemblance—the same jet-black hair and vivid green eyes—would have made them almost indistinguishable if not for Kael's roguish grin and Kefira's poised, cutting demeanour. Soleil could feel their sharp, almost predatory gazes flit over her, their thinly veiled amusement sending a chill down her spine.
Queen Leona sat at the other end of the table. Aslan's rules state that the position of Queen is dependent on which heir is chosen for succession, so as Thalion's mother she held the top position in the harem. She was a beautiful woman with platinum blonde hair and cold blue eyes, her countenance so frigid she seemed to freeze her surroundings. Soleil could see where Thalion got his attitude from.
Beside her sat a woman who seemed out of place amongst the stifling atmosphere of the dining hall. Consort Zariel was a fierce woman with a mischievous streak, and her personality often put her at odds with the queen. Coming from a military family, she'd fought on the front lines for most of her life, so she always seemed to carry a faint bloodthirsty air. Her many years married into royalty had somewhat tamed her chaotic and bloodthirsty nature, but her predatory grin full of fangs often scared those who spoke to her. Her resemblance to Kael and Kefira was uncanny, but with her lackadaisical nature she resembled their older sister rather than their mother.
And there, seated on the other side of the queen, was her mother. Lady Camellia sat with quiet dignity, her stately features suggesting a scholarly air. While the other two wives seemed to live in grandeur, adorned in jewels and ornate clothing, her mother dressed modestly, as though trying to shrink into the background. Her dark brown skin was smooth and devoid of makeup, and her tawny hair was tied back with a simple gold hairpin.
"Finally decided to join us, have you?"
Kael's smooth, mocking voice sliced through the air, interrupting Soleil's thoughts. All eyes turned to her. She swallowed hard and approached the table, the weight of their stares making her movements stiff and awkward.
"Good morning, Father, Mother, siblings," she murmured quietly, dipping into a practiced curtsy before sliding into her seat next to her mother.
The king barely spared her a glance. "You've been sleeping too much," he remarked flatly, his voice deep and gravelly. "If you were training like your siblings, you wouldn't look so tiny and frail."
Kael smirked. "Don't be too hard on her, Father. She did try training with us once. Remember, Kefira?" He leaned forward, eyes glittering with mischief. "What did you call it? 'The Invalid's Collapse'?"
Kefira giggled softly behind her hand. "She lasted, what, two laps around the training field before fainting? Truly an inspiration."
Heat flared in Soleil's cheeks, but she kept her gaze lowered. They weren't wrong. This body truly wasn't suited for intense exercise. Compared to humans from her past life, she was a bit stronger, but when thrown in a world of powerful beastmen it would be a miracle to keep up.
"Enough," the king said sharply, silencing the twins. He turned his gaze fully on her for the first time, and Soleil felt the weight of his scrutiny. "I don't know what purpose you serve in this family, Soleil. Thalion trains day and night to inherit the throne. Kael and Kefira are already crafting their own paths and earning the admiration of our people. You, however…"
His voice trailed off, disappointment heavy in his tone. "A daughter of Aslan without a beast form is already a disgrace. And you've done nothing to prove your worth in any other way."
"Husband…" her mother began softly, but he silenced her with a raised hand.
"No more excuses, Camellia," he said firmly. His golden eyes bore into Soleil's. "This is your final chance. You will either find some way to contribute to this kingdom, or you will no longer have a place in this pride. I will send you to the border to live out your days in obscurity until I find a husband willing to take you."
The words struck like a physical blow. Soleil's breath hitched, and for a moment, the world blurred.
"I understand," she whispered, barely audible.
The king nodded as though the matter was settled. "You have until the Midsummer Festival to prove your worth. Do not waste this opportunity."
Soleil fled the hall as soon as the meal concluded, the echo of her father's words chasing her down the grand corridors. She reached the garden, her shaky breaths mingling with the scent of blooming flowers.
"This is insane," she muttered, sinking onto a stone bench. The warmth of the sun did little to comfort her. "How am I supposed to do anything?"
[Mission Alert: New Quest Unlocked!]
The soft, melodic chime rang in her head, making her jolt upright.
"What now?" she said aloud, frustration edging her voice.
The system's text appeared in the air before her:
[Quest: Impress King Thalion
Objective: Create a captivating work of art or story to demonstrate your value to the kingdom and your father.
Reward: 2000 SP, First Quest Completion Gift, Increased Influence, Court Recognition.]
"What kind of 'work of art'?" Soleil asked, eyeing the text skeptically.
[Use your past life knowledge to craft a story, play, or production tailored to Aslan.
Hint: Popular genres include heroic epics and tactical war tales, so stand out by doing something different. Aslan's people value strength, honour, and glory, but those aren't the only paths to inspiration.]
She glanced at her trembling hands. They weren't clawed, sharp, or powerful.
"But I can create something," she whispered, the beginnings of an idea taking shape. "If they'll only respect me for strength… then I'll show them the power of imagination."
And there was one story she was confident she could adapt to fit Aslan's culture. One grand enough to satisfy even her father...
The Lion King.