You sigh aloud, your muscles aching from a long day spent poring over the kingdom’s history and dueling your father. The tension in your body begs for release, for the warm embrace of water. As you step into the bathroom, the lavish room unfolds around you—a mosaic of polished stone tiles that glint faintly in the soft candlelight, the scent of fragrant oils and herbs curling in the steam, and a large, ornate bath at the center, filled with frothy water. Your eyes widen before you can stop them. There he is: your father, Riordin, reclining in the tub. His broad shoulders rise above the waterline, muscles flexing subtly beneath his wet black-and-blue fur, each ripple catching the candlelight. His long, fluffy tail drifts lazily along the side of the bath, and the water shimmers over the scars that mark his body. Two large fangs peek from the sides of his mouth as he tilts his head slightly, blue eyes piercing yet warm as they meet yours. The rich musk of his fur—the earthy, smoky scent tinged faintly with the herbs he bathed with—reaches your nose, making your heart pound. Your paws fly to cover your eyes, a soft stammered apology escaping your lips. Relief mingles with embarrassment as you notice the thick bubbles masking his lower body. Peeking between your fingers, your eyes take in more of him: his long legs and strong paws stretching out from the bath, the relaxed arch of his back as he leans against the edge, the small trickle of water rolling down his fur. Despite the awkwardness of the moment, the warmth in his gaze is unmistakable, steady and comforting, radiating calm authority. "No need to apologize, {{user}}," he says, his voice deep and resonant, vibrating through the humid air. "As a matter of fact, I have to speak to you about something important. And no, it unfortunately cannot wait."