Chapter 1600: The Drunk King and the Strict Princess ( 1600 )

A strict voice cut through the hall, formal and sharp.

"Father. This behavior is unbecoming of a king. And this is not how a sovereign should present himself before an allied nation. I must insist you conduct yourself with the dignity your position demands."

Lioness turned toward the voice.

Felicia moved gracefully toward them, her steps measured and elegant, the hem of her beautiful casual dress swaying gently with each stride. Her posture was perfect, her chin lifted, her tail held in a composed curve.

She glanced around the hall at the Beastkin Royal Guards, then began pointing at them one by one.

"That collar is askew. Straighten it. You. Your belt is loose. Fasten it properly. And you, do not slouch. You are a royal guard of the Beastkin Nation, not a tavern patron. Stand as though you remember it."

The Beastkin guards flinched, several of them hurriedly straightening their collars, adjusting their sashes, and standing at rigid attention.

Lioness pursed his lips, his tail swaying behind him. Then he spread his arms wide.

"Come to Dada, my baby girl~"

Felicia let out a weary exhale. She pinched the bridge of her nose, stopping a short distance away.

"Where is Mother?"

Lioness stood straight, rubbed the back of his head, and averted his eyes, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. His tail swayed behind him.

"Your mother is busy... so... err... she... err..."

Felicia let out another weary exhale.

"You left her again, didn’t you? While she was occupied, you slipped away without a word."

Lioness scratched the back of his head, his voice turning nervous.

"I don’t know what you mean, Felicia. I didn’t leave her. She was busy. I was... I was just..."

He struck another pose, flexing his muscles.

"That matter is not important! Come, show Dada how much you’ve grown~ Just like Mimi did!"

Felicia shook her head slowly, her voice carrying a sharp, formal sting.

"Father, you are the reason Mimi behaves the way she does. Every improper habit she has, every unladylike outburst, every reckless mannerism... she learned it from watching you. A princess of the Beastkin Nation should conduct herself with grace and poise, and yet you encourage her recklessness at every turn."

Mimi puffed her cheek, her tail swaying in annoyance.

"I’m not like Father! I’m nothing like him!"

She crossed her arms.

"And Onee-sama is so annoying! Too strict! Too formal! Everything has to be..."

She trailed off when she caught Felicia’s narrowed glare, her voice shrinking into a sheepish mumble.

"Proper conduct is not a burden. It is a duty." Felicia folded her hands in front of her. "A princess who cannot control herself cannot be trusted to govern others. If you wish to be taken seriously, then behave in a manner deserving of it."

Mimi let out a low whistle, turning her head away and staring at the ceiling. She took one slow step back, then another.

"Nya!? That huge meat over there looks delicious~"

She turned and walked away at a brisk pace, her tail swaying quickly behind her, leaving her father and sister standing in the hall.

Lioness was about to turn away when Felicia’s voice made him pause.

"Father. There is nothing wrong with enjoying oneself. Drinking, feasting, celebrating with old friends... these are not improper in themselves. But there must be moderation. There must be restraint. You are not merely a man at a table with his companions. You are the King of the Beastkin Nation. Your conduct reflects upon our people, our kingdom, and our allies. If you lose yourself in drink and revelry while our guests are still arriving, what does that say of us?"

Lioness pursed his lips. He pressed his index fingers together, tapping them in a small, nervous rhythm, his tail curling low behind him.

"You sound just like your mother..."

He turned his head away, averting his eyes.

"I’m just happy. It’s not every day I get to see my old friends again. We used to gather like this all the time, back in the old days. Laughing, drinking, feasting, talking until morning. It’s been so long since we were all together like that. Can’t I enjoy it, just a little?"

He pointed toward Veldrac, who sat calmly in a nearby chair, a fresh glass of wine in his hand, his posture composed despite the flush on his cheeks.

"Look at him! He’s drunk too! And he’s not getting scolded!"

Felicia pinched the bridge of her nose, drawing in a breath to scold him again. But before she could, Lioness grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Speaking of which... where is my future son-in-law~?"

Felicia’s cheeks flushed. She fidgeted, her fingers twisting together, her ears flattening slightly.

Lioness glanced toward where Mimi stood at a distance. She gave him a thumbs up. He returned it with a grin.

Then he turned back to Felicia, his smirk widening.

"Speaking of my future son-in-law... have the two of you set a date yet? I can’t wait to see a grandchild. A little one running around the palace, calling me GrandDada~"

He tilted his head.

"I’m sure Garius can’t wait either."

He struck a pose, one hand on his hip, the other flexing.

"All my brothers and sisters already have grandchildren, you know. Every single one of them. Every family gathering, they show up with their little ones, bragging about how smart they are, how strong they are, how they’ll be the next great warriors of the Beastkin Nation. And I still don’t have any. All my sons just got engaged to their fiancées... my only hope is from my daughters~"

He let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Your father is getting older, Felicia. My youth won’t last forever. I want to hold a grandchild in my arms while I still have the strength to lift them up."

Felicia’s cheeks burned bright red.

Lioness grinned, turned away, and walked back toward the table.

Ehehe~ I win~

He lifted a bottle, snapped the cork open with his thumb, and drained it in one long gulp before letting out a satisfied exhale, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

It’s so easy to make my daughter this flustered~ Just bring up Javier... use the excuse of being "old", mention "grandchildren" and wala~

He raised his bottle again, glancing sideways at Felicia.

She was standing at a distance, her cheek puffed out, clearly furious but unable to say anything. She huffed, turned, and walked toward Mimi, grabbing her ear without a word.

"Nyaaa! Why me!?"

( End Of Chapter )