Chapter 123: surprised councils
The sun barely peeked through the palace curtains when Caelan dramatically rolled out of bed, clutching his sword like a dramatic theatre actor. "It's today. I feel it in my soul. War? Betrayal? A suspicious council meeting? I'm ready!"
"You say that every Thursday," Azrael Jr. groaned from the other bed, yanking a pillow over his head. "The last 'betrayal' was the chef swapping our dessert with carrot pudding."
Caelan clutched his chest. "It was traumatizing, Azrael. I will never forgive that pudding."
Just then, a knock echoed at their door followed by the sound of small feet running and then—boom—a fireball blasted the lock.
"I HAVE ARRIVED!" Rina screamed, bursting in with her usual chaos energy and a flower crown that was already half burnt.
"Why use the doorknob when you can use arson?" Azrael Jr. said, sitting up.
"Leo's training me in shortcuts," Rina chirped. "He says fire is the key to all doors. Also, there's a secret council meeting, and I totally eavesdropped because I'm a professional."
Caelan immediately perked up. "I knew it! What did you hear?"
"They're talking about... wait for it... a scroll."
"A scroll?" Azrael Jr. raised an eyebrow. "Not a death threat? Not a dragon rebellion? Just... paper?"
"A magic scroll," Rina emphasized, putting on her most dramatic expression. "Apparently, it's old. Older than Grandpa Azrael. It appeared out of nowhere on the royal library's desk this morning."