The morning sun hit the marble floors of the Solaris Palace, but Primrose wasn't awake because of the light. She was awake because of the vibration.
The entire breakfast table seemed to be humming.
Primrose rubbed her eyes, walking into the private dining parlor. The table was laden with pastries, fruit, and grilled fish, but Ophelia wasn't eating.
The ancient Nine-Tailed Fox was staring intensely at a small porcelain cup. Her tails were wagging so fast they were a white blur.
"Primrose!" Ophelia shouted. She didn't turn around. She just vibrated. "Come here. Explain this... sludge."
Primrose walked over. "Good morning, Grandma. That's coffee."
"Coffee," Ophelia repeated. She took a sip, her eyes widening until they were almost perfectly round. "It tastes like burnt dirt. It's bitter. It's hot."
She took another sip.
"And it makes my brain feel like it's running a marathon while my body is sitting still. Is this a combat potion? A berserker draught?"
