Checking pockets. That was what Cara was doing. But she was being discrete about it, and using the proximity of Nobles who had come to greet the King’s heir as an excuse to assess the contents of their pockets.
It was disappointing, really. Nobody brought much with them to this sort of formal event.
"Lady Cara, I see that you have volunteered for Royal Babysitting duty for the day. Tell me, how are the Crown Prince and his ladies getting along?" One of the Nobles asked.
Cara smiled up at him. "Quite well, really. I’m sure you know that his relationship with Consort Mildred is a love match, and they are adorable together. But they have both been spending quite some time with Princess Rue, helping with her training."
Her combat training, mostly. But it was much less fun if she didn’t give ambiguous responses.
"So, she is prepared for her new role?" The Nobleman asked as he noticed the sharp claws of the hatchling digging through his pockets.
There was nothing in them for her to take, so he wasn’t worried about it. In fact, if the tiny Princess did manage to tear his clothes, it would be a most wonderful story to tell the others tonight.
It was unlikely, given the magical nature of the fabric. But she was a Commander Rank Shadow Dragon hatchling, so it wasn’t entirely impossible.
Not like Cara’s dress, which was Mythic Ranked spider silk, and completely immune to small poking claws.
Dissatisfied with her find, and not fully understanding why Cara enjoyed this game of checking pockets so much, the little one squawked an annoyed complaint, not bothering to use her words out loud.
But her mental voice came through clearly.
[Why don’t they have anything? You said that there would be shiny things or snacks.] She complained.
[You can’t win them all, or you would get fat and sleepy.] Cara consoled her with a gentle pat on the head.
That was not an acceptable answer.
The little dragon glared at Cara, sure that she was being teased, until Cara liberated a wrapped candy from someone’s pocket and passed it to her.
[Oh yeah! Toffee. I love toffee.]
Perhaps it was all about luck? Or maybe she was not supposed to search with her hands, but her other senses, and then just recover the snacks? She still had much to learn, it seemed.

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