ᴍʏ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴍᴇɴᴀᴄᴇ - My Little Menace - 2

Hollowspire Manor — Main Throne Hall, 5:32 AM

Auren

*Steps into the hall, still carrying the half-asleep chaos in his arms*

Auren

Bring me the report. And don’t let your boots scuff the marble — it’s still wet with regret.

Little Menace

*Yawns dramatically in his arms*

Little Menace

Ughhh I can still smell anxiety in the air. Who messed up this time?

Auren

Someone bled in your hallway. I assume you’d like to speak to them... eventually?

Little Menace

If they bled, they already lost. I only speak to the dramatic survivors.

Vayne [Head Guard]

My Lord, we found the source. One of the outer unit spies went rogue. Tried sneaking something out. A scroll... encrypted.

Little Menace

*Perks up in Auren’s arms*

Little Menace

Oooh? A mystery? A scandal? With betrayal toppings??

Auren

Tch. You get that obsession from your mother.

Little Menace

She had taste. You have... control issues.

Auren

And you have detention in five minutes if that scroll leads to the archives.

Little Menace

*Wiggles out of his arms and lands gracefully like a smug cat*

Little Menace

Fine. Then I want my throne cleaned. With rose water.

Little Menace

And all guards must wear pastel masks until I say otherwise. I’m declaring today a ‘Soft Vengeance’ holiday.

Vayne [Head Guard]

What is 'Soft Vengeance'?

Little Menace

It means everyone who betrayed me is banned from dramatic exits until I get to monologue first.

Auren

*Sits on his throne, tired but amused*

Auren

Kael. Put that on the official calendar.

Kael [Shadow Unit Commander]

*Already scribbling on a floating scroll*

Kael [Shadow Unit Commander]

Right below ‘Sassy Execution Monday’?

Little Menace

Exactly. And next to ‘Brat Amnesty Hour’.

Auren

*Leans back and watches her storm toward the center of the throne hall, silk robe dragging like it owns the place*

Auren

You truly believe you’re untouchable, don’t you, menace?

Little Menace

*Turns, smirks dangerously*

Little Menace

Not untouchable. Just... inconvenient to punish.

Auren

*Raises an eyebrow, voice calm but sharp*

Auren

Careful. Even inconvenient things can be locked in a tower.

Little Menace

*Whispers mockingly to Kael*

Little Menace

He says that every week. I think the tower’s actually a snack pantry.

Kael [Shadow Unit Commander]

*Trying not to laugh*

Kael [Shadow Unit Commander]

There was a cookie trail the last time I patrolled it.

Auren

*Pinches the bridge of his nose*

Auren

One of you will cry by sunset. I guarantee it.

Little Menace

*Grins, flicks a tiny flame off her fingertip*

Little Menace

Bet it won’t be me, Papa.

The great doors creak again. A hush falls.

A battered scroll wrapped in black silk is placed before Auren.

Vayne [Head Guard]

The stolen message. It’s written in the old tongue. None of us could read it.

Little Menace

*Gasps. Eyes light up like mischief incarnate*

Little Menace

Give. Me. That. NOW.

Auren

*Snatches it before she does*

Auren

Ah ah. Not until you eat. You forget your body is twelve.

Little Menace

My brain is seventeen and a half. Emotionally? Ageless.

Auren

*Hands scroll to Kael*

Auren

Lock this up. She reads one word and we’ll be cursed for a decade.

Kael [Shadow Unit Commander]

Noted. Also, she renamed all the dragons in the west wing. Again.

Little Menace

What, they like my names! 'Sir Wiggleburn' has vibes.

Auren

*Sighs, pinches the bridge of his nose again*

Auren

Send word to the High Table.

Auren

There’s a traitor loose, my daughter’s renaming monsters, and it’s not even breakfast.

Little Menace

*Winks dramatically at him*

Little Menace

Welcome to parenting me, Papa.

❖ END OF CHAPTER 2 ❖