The day of the King's birthday came, and Katerina was looking like the perfect little princess, with her wings carefully retracted, no claws out, and her horns adorned with a cute gossamer scarf attached by golden rings.
That had been her own demand for the outfit. Because, apparently, her horns needed ornaments today.
"Now, you know what to do, right?" Dominic asked.
"Got it, Dad. Play the perfectly cute Princess, don't be mean to stupid people, and don't show off dangerous magic in the Palace. Why can't I do it if the magic won't hit anyone, thought?"
"It will set off the alarms and make more work for all the guards."
Katerina nodded. She hated when people made more work for her. Every student at the Academy had a rotating list of chores as part of their duties. She despised it when people did dumb things and made more work for her, so she did her best not to make more work for other people.
