Stay calm. Breathe. Don't look at Father and Mother. Don't look at their faces. Their eyes.

"His Imperial Majesty Emperor Lois Silvermane and Empress Reme Silvermane." The retainer said. He tapped the bottom of his ceremonial staff on the paving stones of the open air courtyard. The sun cast harsh shadows on the ground, the air still, without a breeze to relieve the heat.

Ignore the loud man. We know who they are. Stay calm. Relax. Relax your hands. Don't clench your teeth. Just breathe.

The retainer gestured to her and said, "Presenting Princess Azure Silvermane. Princess, you may approach the emperor."

Okay, now step forward. Step forward! Good. Steady. Calm. Slow.

Stop glancing around. Yes, they have chains. Its okay. The knights are your friends, remember? They take us for walks. Just walk like that. Except don't bite anything.

Slow steps. Halfway there. Calm. Stop growling. Yes, I can hear you.

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Captain is walking behind us. You don't want to make Captain sad, do you? Or Chief Maid? All of the maids are watching. Look, Priest is standing beside Father.

Almost there. Now stop. Stop! Good. Calm. Breathe.

No growling. You are not hungry, you just ate. Cook will have more food for us later. Just breathe. Stay calm.

"Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"The emperor said. His voice echoed around the courtyard.

Flinched. Don't flinch. Don't tremble. Calm.

With a hint of anger in his voice, the emperor said, "Look at me!"

Those eyes. Why? Like ice. Like hard stones. I'm sorry, Father. I'm sorry.

"Speak." The emperor said.

Calm. Calm. Stay calm. Breathe. You can do this. We practiced. Remember? Remember the shapes.

"Fff Ffaah... ththerrrrr." Azure's shaky voice rasped out the single word.

Good. Good job. Rest. Calm.

"Is that it?" The emperor said.

Don't hate me. Oh. Father. Mother. Don't look at me with those eyes.

Calm down. Stop growling. Calm! Calm!

"rrrrrrRRRRRRAAAAAAHHH!" Azure shouted in rage, but the knights surrounding her turned to tackle her.

Calm down! Don't fight! Let the knights take you. They are our friends! Don't fight them! Get down from the roof! Get down!

"RRRRAAAHHH!" Azure screamed out again.

"Is that it? Fine!" The emperor said. "If you are going to act like an animal, then go! Don't show me your face until you can act like a civilized being!"

No. No Father. Don't say that. I won't be able to stop. Please. I'm sorry, Father. I'm sorry.