"Ha! You're all so funny," Isabella said after laughing so hard she had to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. Not the good kind of tear—more like the "I can't believe I'm surrounded by idiots" kind. But no one needed to know that. She kept her smile sweet and sugary. A lie wrapped in charm.
"Aren't they, baby?" she asked, looking down at Glimora.
The little beast blinked up at her, eyes wide and unsure. She tilted her head slightly, then slowly—very slowly—nodded.
It was the kind of nod that said I don't get it, but mama's smiling and I like food so yes? Her tiny tail gave a weak swish like she was trying to agree with the joke but didn't fully trust it. The faintest, most doubtful smile curved her lips.
"That's right," Isabella said, patting her gently like Glimora had just passed some invisible test. "Good girl. You get it."
She turned back to the guards with that same dazzling smile. "Now… What makes you think he's my older brother?"
