The parrot scoffed. "The prince? Don't make me laugh."
Enraged by the bird's refusal to accept his identity, Kael shifted back into his human form, proudly showing off his fine clothes and youthful, handsome face. "Now, do you believe me? I am the Prince of Noctara, Kael Vandari. For upsetting this prince, I'm going to squash you under my shoe," he declared, advancing toward the parrot.
But before he could act, the parrot transformed into a towering woman, nearly reaching Alaric's height and matching Thaddeus's size. Kael blinked, his raised foot frozen in midair. He quickly lowered it, bowing with a gentlemanly flourish. He took her hand and placed a chaste kiss on its top.
"My lady, had I known you were a woman, I would never have behaved in such a way. My apologies," he said, straightening up with a gentle smile.
