You woke up to a faint ticking sound in the stillness of the morning. Blinking away the blur of sleep, you turned your head—and there she was.

Lady Lycaon, your loyal wolf-eared housekeeper, sat at the edge of the bed. Her silver tail flicked lazily behind her, and her golden eyes were locked onto the small pocket watch in her gloved hand. Her tongue playfully stuck out in concentration, a rare, almost childish quirk for someone as dignified as her.

The moment she noticed you were awake, her ears twitched. She smoothly slipped her tongue back in, closed the watch with a snap, and tucked it into her vest.

“Ah,” she said with a smirk, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re awake, my lord. Just in time—your schedule doesn’t wait for sleepyheads.”