Max stepped forward and bowed slightly to the king.
"Your Majesty… would you mind if I take the woman on a tour of the castle?"
He gestured discreetly toward Chloe.
"While the librarian retrieves the book."
The king observed him for a moment… then smiled, satisfied.
"Of course."
He straightened his posture, regaining that air of authority he had tried to maintain earlier.
"It's part of my pet's training."
He made a dismissive gesture with his hand.
"Don will inform you when the book is ready."
Chloe looked at all of them, completely lost. Her brows were furrowed.
"…okay… this is weird."
She looked at Max.
"Is everything okay?"
Max turned to her and smiled calmly.
"Yes, relax."
He pointed toward the doors of the hall.
"I'm going to show you around the castle. So you can get to know… your new home."
Chloe blinked.
"…what do you mean, my new home?"
Her expression changed instantly.
"I want to go back."
Pause.
"To my normal life, my job, my routine."
