If Anise looked angry before, she was absolutely livid now. Sure, there were plenty of times that Anise had wanted Natalia to act less princess-like, but she didn't want anything like this!

It was painful enough to see Natalia face this, but Natalia had an audience on top of it. Anise didn't think Natalia wanted everyone she'd just met to learn about everything back home, but that was the risk they ran facing the shadow in a group.

"Oh, stuff it." Anise almost rolled her eyes; at this point, Natalia's shadow was more annoying than frightening.

"She's our friend, no matter what you call her. I don't care if it's Natalia, or Meryl, or 'Daddy's little spoiled princess.' She's our friend, and she's the one who's come with us this far, and if she wants privacy, she should get it."

Anise had to resist the urge to pummel the shadow herself, but it wasn't why they were here, and it wouldn't do any good.