She smiled at him . "You are very balanced . Though you are not perfect in your fighting, you can command your men with acute precision . Your cool and collected about affairs of the the Empire but when it comes to your family and your people you are compa.s.sionate and calming . " Kyera explained as she glanced out the window remembering all the little things she had seen since entering the palace . Both as Kyera and as Moon the tigress .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntPrince Clovis watched her, bewildered as this woman whom he had barely paid more attention to her than as a teacher of his daughter defined him . For some reason this didn't feel like being dressed down but instead he felt as though she was laying him bare before them both . It was oddly entrancing as she continued to speak . His eyes looking into hers, half expecting to see amus.e.m.e.nt or a jesting mockery there . Yet there was neither .

"You focus on your duty but you do not neglect your family . Some would call you weak, but they do not understand family helps you build compa.s.sion and understanding . If you truly see yourself as weaker than your brothers, nothing I say will matter but hear this: do not push those thoughts on me . " She replies calmly, but her eyes lit with fire .

Clovis sat quietly trying to digest what she had said and formulate some sort of answer . However, he found no words to say that didn't sound calloused or as though he was fis.h.i.+ng for compliments . All he could do was wonder why this lady saw so clearly what he himself had never noticed .

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The Palace of Dancing Winds

Raina was waiting patiently for her father's coach to arrive . She had rather enjoyed the nice long ride with her uncle . The child was jittery with excitement to see them and tell them about her exciting ride . Prince Alexi had even allowed her to take the reins and gallop with him, granted she wasn't sure if she would share that little bit of information . A secret between her and uncle perhaps? One of many, at least she could hope so .

The carriage rolled into view, slower than she would have hoped . As it glided to a stop she held herself as a princess should, tall and straight but with her head slightly bowed to show her obedience . The guard opened the door to the carriage and offered a hand, expecting the lady to come to the carriage door first . However, Clovis sighed seeing that she was lost in thought, he cleared his throat .

"Shall we disembark, My Lady?" Clovis asked quietly .