Winter solstice brought early darkness to the Dragon Palace in the northern capital.
White cats beneath the eaves had long since curled up under thick snow for hibernation. In the small fireplace cottage behind the Dragon Palace, warm lamplight flickered against the cold night. The silhouette of a dragon-horned girl bent over her desk, writing furiously, cast shadows on the paper windows, a picture of pure dedication.
Recently, Nina had gotten herself into trouble and received a thorough spanking from her master. Since then, she'd been much more obedient around the Dragon Palace. Every day, she dutifully followed her master in handling state affairs, and at night she had to study governance texts and complete practice exams under her master's watchful supervision.
For a young girl who had just reached adulthood, learning about such grand political and historical matters seemed premature.
But Nina wasn't just any ordinary young girl.
