[-Isabella-]

Nthanda walked quietly along the paths through the trees. She'd wanted to get outside for a little while to have a moment to herself. As much as she loved her cubs between them and the servants, nobility, and advisors she'd barely had a moment to herself for weeks.

She'd hoped this would be good for her, but now that she was alone she found that she couldn't escape her own thoughts, most of which weren't pleasant.

With those thoughts on her mind she wandered the paths distractedly, only snapping out of her thoughts when she heard something move behind her. Turning around she wasn't surprised to see Ravi trailing her. He was always around to make sure she was okay, doing his job as he had faithfully for a long time now.

"You might as well come and join me, no one can see us." There was a hint of amusement in her tone and with a sigh the dark lion walked up to be just behind her. Amused by his stubbornness in not walking beside her, which he deemed inappropriate, she slowed to walk beside him instead.

"I promise I won't tell on you," she said in a conspiratorial tone.

"I appreciate that," he said, the amusement in his tone almost too subtle to be noticed.

"Good." She smiled just a little.

"So, what's on your mind?" He asked her after a moment.

Nthanda was surprised since she usually had to be the one to bring up their more personal conversations. "Well, a lot of things."

"You aren't happy," he said, his tone matter-of-fact as it often was but not lacking in concern.

"I'm...not miserable."

"That's still not happy."

There's a lot going on. You know how I feel about royal politics and all the drama of it."

"I do. But, you've had that all your life. I believe, something more might be on your mind?"

"I...Well yes. It's just a lot, trying to be there for the cubs, and be a good ruler. And I'm worried about my mother, and my siblings. Sometimes I just feel like there's nothing I wouldn't give for a simpler life. A small home somewhere quiet where I could just focus on being a mother and..." She trailed off , shaking her head. "But that's useless. It does no good to want what you can't ever have. I've got what I've got and I have to make the best of it."

"I'd make it easier, if I could," he said, his tone just a little softer for a moment and genuine regret in his eyes.

"I know you would." She stopped walking and glanced up at him.

Ravi stopped too, looking down at her.

The emotions she felt from everything she had told him still showed in her eyes, pain, regret, confusion, tiredness, and yet despite all of that he saw the same familiar warmth that was usually there and some part of him was relieved to see that. At times he had worried that all she had been through would crush her spirit, and yet she always seemed to find a way to move on and be strong. It was something he admired, though he knew to be careful where those feelings took him.

"Thank you, for listening." She smiled just slightly.

"Any time, princess."

Nthanda chuckled softly, finding satisfaction and humor in the use of the title that had long ago turned to ''his' name for her. "I don't know what I'd ever do without you." She started walking again, feeling a little lighter.

"Nor I without you, princess. Nor I without you," he said softly under his breath before following her.