{Regina}
~**^**~
The soft ticking of the clock on the far wall was the only sound in the council office as I finished signing the last of the reports stacked before me.
The evening light slanted through the tall windows, cutting the room into gold and shadow.
Princess Kaelis sat at the head of the long table, reviewing a series of financial projections for Founder's Day.
Soraya lounged two seats down, tapping her manicured nails against her datapad, an irritating habit she suddenly decided to practice right here and now.
A few moments later, the door clicked open without a knock.
And our assistant stepped in, clutching a clipboard with trembling hands. "E-excuse me, Your Highness," she said, bowing quickly to Kaelis before turning toward me. "The, uh, the report from today's combat eliminations just arrived."
Kaelis lifted a brow. "Oh? Already?"
