[Dawnspire Wing—Lavinia's Chamber]
"Aaagghh!! My arms hurt…" I collapsed face-first onto my bed with a dramatic groan. Marshi—my overly large, overly energetic dog—sprang onto the mattress after me. (For some miraculous reason, the bed didn't collapse into splinters from his heroic leap. A mystery for the royal carpenters to solve.)
Behind me, Marella let out a tiny chuckle. "I heard His Majesty… punished you today."
I twisted my head and narrowed my eyes at her. "Are you perhaps… mocking me?"
Her gaze darted to the floor like a guilty squirrel. "No, Your Highness…"
Before I could interrogate her further, Nanny walked in holding a small jar of balm. "Come, Princess… let me massage those poor arms."
I shot up so quickly you'd think I'd been summoned to inherit a fortune. I plopped down again, stretching my arms toward her with pitiful puppy eyes. "Did Papa send the balm?"
"Of course," Nanny said, opening the jar. "Who else would think of you?"
