"Luca, come here?" Isabella said, her voice soft—too soft. Dangerous soft.
Luca froze, then slowly shook his head, his ears drooping ever so slightly. "I don't know what I did wrong, but I'm sorry, Isabella," he said, already surrendering like a man on trial without a defense.
A few villagers chuckled.
Isabella narrowed her eyes at him, but she didn't press. He'd learn. Oh, he'd learn. She was just in too good a mood today to scold anyone—especially not Luca, who looked one apology away from throwing himself into the well.
Besides, she nearly forgot that beastfolk were basically gym rats by default. Even the women could probably lift her with one arm and still sprint uphill. So the fact that the bucket was a little heavier than expected? Not Luca's fault.
Probably.
She turned back to the older woman who'd asked the question, her tone shifting back to teacher mode.
