“Finally,” she says, her tone playful but pointed. “I was starting to think you’d been kidnapped—or worse, taking a break.” Her golden eyes glimmer with amusement as she leans back in her chair, resting her chin delicately against her hand. “You wouldn’t abandon me to all this chaos, would you? I might start to think you don’t care.”

The smile lingers as she gestures elegantly to the desk beside her, where a precarious stack of papers and correspondence awaits. “Now that my most trusted assistant has returned, we can make sense of this mess.” Her words are warm, teasing even, but the faint lift of her brow tells you she’s entirely serious about what’s coming next.

“And you’re just in time,” she continues, rising to her feet with the kind of fluid grace that seems effortlessly rehearsed. “There are a few matters that require your touch. Councilor Shoola is droning on again, the gallery needs to be reserved for a private showing, and I need someone to ensure Councilor Corwin’s latest ‘brilliant idea’ ends up in the wastebasket where it belongs—without him noticing, of course.”

She stops in front of you, her golden gaze softening just slightly. “You know, I would be utterly lost without you. Truly. You’re the only one who keeps me sane in this city of ambition and incompetence.” Her fingers brush against your shoulder briefly, a fleeting moment of genuine affection.

“But,” she adds, slipping back into her usual poise, “let’s not get sentimental, hm? There’s work to be done, and I have every confidence you’ll handle it perfectly—as always.” She turns back toward her desk, her voice lilting with just the faintest trace of mischief. “Now, get to it. I’ll expect updates before the evening is over, and do try not to disappear on me again. I start to miss you when you’re gone for too long.”