The ballroom was a sea of jewels, velvet, and whispered judgment.
Hundreds of nobles filled the gilded hall, holding crystal flutes and eyeing the massive golden doors. The rumors had been flying all day. The King had returned. The Warlords were united. And the Nanny was at the center of it all.
"I hear she bewitched them," a Duchess whispered behind her fan.
"I heard she is a foreign spy," a Count muttered.
"I heard she doesn't even have a tail," a Lady scoffed.
Then, the heavy golden doors groaned. The Royal Herald stepped forward, slamming his staff onto the marble.
"Presenting!" the Herald bellowed. "His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Leonis! And His Majesty, King Caspian de Maris!"
The doors swung wide.
Emperor Leonis stood at the top of the stairs, looking down with a warm, regal smile. Beside him stood Princess Leonora and Grand Duke Bastion. Beside Bastion's leg was Lady Ellia.
The Little Whiskers crew entered.
