“Because you were terrified for your father. Even though you thought he was fighting a scary monster, you came inside to check on him, and I’m quite sure you thought you’d get into a lot of trouble for it.”

She nodded vigorously. “Setchel said that I’d get fed to the monster, too.”

“See,” Darling continued, “that’s extremely brave. Now if you’ll kneel in front of me, I’d like to give you your award.”

Zarya smiled as Drus knelt like an adult in front of her governor.

Darling held the medal up and performed the entire official ceremony. “It is with my greatest honor and gratitude that I, the 139th Governor of Caron Druxton Ambridate Darling Setonius Cruel, bestow this medal on you, Drus Gerst, for exceptional bravery while under the duress of fear and fire. May you live always to be a shining example to the people that when other lives mattered most, yours mattered least. It is for others that the brave will always gladly lay down their lives so that all our people can live without fear.”

He placed the medal around her neck. “Now rise, Dame Drus. And let everyone know from this day forward that you are the bravest of the brave. You are the pride of the Caronese people and of her governor who thanks you for your courage and service.”

Her beautiful features lit up as she cradled her medal in her small hands. Laughing, she launched herself at Darling. She hit him with such force that it knocked him back and caused his cowl to fall to his shoulders.

Drus’s laughter turned to a terrified gasp as she looked up and saw his scarred face.

Zarya held her breath at the sudden tension in the room. The gerents and plebs glared with obvious disdain and aversion.

Eyes wide, Drus stared in dismay. “Did someone hurt you, Your Majesty?”

Agony and embarrassment burned bright in his blue eyes, but to his credit, Darling offered the girl a smile that was twisted slightly by the vicious scars across his lips. “They did.”

“Then you can’t be a monster.”

Darling frowned. “How so?”

“Monsters can’t be hurt by people, silly. My nan says so. You can only be hurt when you have a heart and monsters don’t have hearts. That’s why they steal them from others.” Smiling at him once again, she leaned in to give him a quick kiss on his bearded cheek, then she patted it kindly. “I’m glad the beautiful lady was right. You are just a man and a very nice one, too.”

Darling lowered his head and gave her a somber military salute. “Thank you, Dame Drus.” He rose to his feet as Zarya came forward to reclaim Drus’s hand.

She smiled down at the little girl. “Come on, sweetie. I’ll take you to the reception room where we have cakes and cookies so that you can wait for your father.”

Drus let out a squeal of excitement. “Cakes! Oooh, I can’t wait. I love cakes.”