As they bickered, the heavy silence of the palace grounds was replaced by the soft rustle of silk and the clanking of plate armor. A phalanx of palace guards and a small flock of maids appeared from the archways. Upon seeing the Princess and her guardian safely returned, albeit covered in frost and wood chips they immediately dropped into deep, practiced bows.
"Welcome home, Royal Highness," the head guard intoned, his voice steady despite the chaotic scene.
Both Lunara and Nova paused their bickering just long enough to nod back with a refined air of royal respect, a seamless mask they both wore by instinct. Then, the moment the guards rose, the two turned back to each other, renewing their argument as they headed toward the inner sanctum.
