Chapter Text
“Pull it tighter. Hold your breath for me, dear. Just a little longer.”
The tailor instructed, holding a needle securely between her teeth. Leona didn’t dare to breathe too deeply as the tailor and three additional maids worked on her tight-fitting wedding gown. She’d been standing still for what felt like hours, being poked and pricked with needles while the built-in corset hardly left her room to breathe. Leona wasn’t in bad shape by any means, but the Briar Valley’s obsession with tight-fitting clothes would be the death of her. However, the sitting queen, Malleus’s mother, had personally handpicked the design for her and had already hired a well-respected tailor to help her. It was an honor that couldn’t be ignored, ( and Malleus had advised her to just go along with her mother ) so Leona gladly accepted it. A quick pinprick to her thigh pulled her from her thoughts.
“There, now you look like a proper bride. Won’t you look at yourself?” The tailor asked, two maids stepped forward to hold the train of the dress as Leona carefully turned towards the large mirror. The third maid gently placed the veil on top of the beastwoman’s head before she lowered her head and shuffled back a few steps.
Leona never saw herself getting married. Had she been asked about marriage three years ago, she would’ve scoffed and said marriage wasn’t in her future. She just didn’t see the appeal. Until Malleus Draconia. They’d been rivals for as long as Leona could remember. If it hadn’t been for that fateful night, the two of them would’ve never realized just how much they had in common and how they were meant for each other. As she stared at herself in the black, form-fitting gown it all hit her at once. She was engaged, soon to be married, Malleus’s fiancée. They’d gotten so far together. Leona couldn’t see herself getting married, but now that it was happening she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Okay dear, we’re done for the day.” The tailor spoke up once she noticed Leona had started to nod off. Leona had never been forced to stay awake for more than three hours at most, going almost a whole day without a single nap was foreign to her. The tailor unlaced her dress for her and the maid removed her veil. The rest of the fitting went how it always did, her maids helped her get dressed and the tailor asked her thoughts on how it turned out. Leona said yes and they parted ways.
Finally, she had a break from wedding preparations and people. It almost made her miss her homeland. If she was being honest, Briar Valley was a dreary place compared to the Afterglow Savanna. But it wasn’t all bad. For one, she didn’t have to deal with her sister’s nagging or her screechbox of a niece. They’d left her alone after they made her promise that they’d be invited to the wedding. For all of the positives, there were some negatives. The sky in the Briar Valley was severely overcast at all times of the day, leading the lioness to question whether it was night or day constantly. It was always so cold, lions weren't built for that. It was quiet in the palace, too quiet and she always felt eyes on her. She was sure she’d seen a ghost or two during a short walk she had with Malleus. Yet she stayed and it was all for Malleus.
Leona snuck out into the courtyard. Unlike the rest of the palace, there was a surprisingly calm air to it. Which is why it was her absolute favorite spot to take naps. She picked a spot by a tree and lay there, she didn’t worry about the cool air…she was expecting a visitor any moment-
“Leona.”
“Malleus”
“I knew I’d find you here.”
“Tough day?” Leona asked. Malleus nodded and, without hesitation, jumped on Leona. Her head leaned against her fiancée’s breasts as she let out a groan. Leona’s arms wrapped around Malleus and they lay in silence. A welcomed silence, a break from all the noise they had to deal with during the day. Malleus basked in Leona’s warmth for a while, she looked up at future wife. “Leo-” She paused, Leona’s eyes were tightly shut and her breathing had steadied. Malleus shook her head with an amused chuckle, Leona's ability to fall asleep within a few seconds would never not surprise her. She laid her head on Leona’s chest once more, they could talk later. For now, however, she wanted to join her love in napping the afternoon away.