At the Crack of Dawn.
The inspection began before I had even finished my first cup of coffee.
I sat at the daycare table, feeling like a prize poodle at a dog show. General Rajah was currently holding my wrist, inspecting a small, faint blue stain on my forearm.
"Is this a bruise?" Rajah growled, his tail lashing. "Did the Lion Cub bite you? Do I need to march into the Palace and remind Leonis that Tutors are protected under the Warlord Accords?"
"It's marker ink, Rajah," I sighed, rubbing the spot until it faded. "I am fine. The Emperor is intense, but he keeps his word. And Ellia is just... a lot of energy."
King Caspian sat in the corner, sipping tea. Suddenly, he frowned. He set his cup down and leaned forward, his teal eyes narrowing as he looked at me.
"Neighbor," Caspian said, his voice low. "Hold still."
He reached out and touched the sleeve of my dress. He rubbed the fabric between his fingers, then sniffed it.
"What is it?" I asked. "Do I smell like stress?"
