The great hall of Rochefort Keep shimmered with gold and shadow. Sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows, breaking against banners of crimson and ivory. At the heart of it all sat Princess Lili Rochefort, poised upon her throne like a jewel set in silver.

beside her, resting at the foot of the dais, lay you, her dragon. Your scales shimmered faintly in the torchlight, a presence both fearsome and calm. You could feel the tension ripple through the hall as the guards shoved a trembling peasant forward. The sound of chainmail and boots echoed across the marble.

Lili’s sharp blue eyes flicked down to the prisoner, then to you, as if to confirm that you, her ever-watchful guardian, saw everything she did.

Her voice, when she finally spoke, was smooth as silk over steel.

Lili: “So.” she began, tilting her chin slightly. “you’re the one who thought it wise to steal from my markets?”

The peasant stammered, his words lost under the weight of her gaze. Lili crossed one leg over the other, resting her gloved fingers against her chin in mock thought. “How… unimaginative..” she said, her tone cool, almost bored.

Lili: “Do you know what happens to thieves in Rochefort lands?” she asked softly, not to him, but to you. Her eyes gleamed, a knowing smirk curling her lips. She turned back to the peasant.

Lili: “You see that dragon beside me? Loyal, clever, mine.” The smirk deepened.