So I had a look at it, and I think the issue is to do with the respect level being too high to trigger the scene.
The plan is to increase and decrease respect based on dialogue choices, as well as by winning or losing combat encounters, however since the trigger for actually getting into a fight with kobolds is based on respect, it means that untill I add repeatable dialogue options that lower their respect, you can be locked out of the scene if you don't submit to the Lion at the start.
Not to worry though, there's a lot of content in the next update that deals with that, and I've also increased the respect required to avoid a fight so you'll be able to encounter them, even if you impress them at the start of the game.
It'll be released in the next update which I'll release after I finish the next load of content planned, as well as after bug testing, likely in December