Marron's fingers tightened around the ladle. She had planned for stealth, for sleight of hand. Not for an inspection under the cold eyes of command.
Still, every mimic in the kitchen was watching her now. Expectant. Hungry. Trusting.
And one wrong move meant they'd realize their new chef was nothing but a saboteur.
Ding!
[Hidden Quest Update: The Lieutenant's Test]
Pass their inspection to maintain cover.
Failure will result in immediate suspicion.
Marron smiled thinly and forced her trembling hands to steady. "Then I'll make something worth waiting for."
+
The moment stretched longer than Marron wanted.
She carried the plate to the Lieutenant with both hands, setting it before him with a bow that she hoped conveyed both respect and control.
But the man didn't reach for it.
Instead, he leaned back in his chair, arms folding across his chest with a predator's patience. His voice carried the iron weight of command.
"Feed it to me."
