Chapter 86

"It's been less than a day, Duke. You gave me such a composed greeting at the triumphal procession—what happened to that?"

"Then, I was merely waiting for you. Now the circumstances are different."

"Are they?"

Joachim nodded—face still full of that warm, barely-held feeling.

Though I couldn't for the life of me see what had changed, in terms of their actual relationship.

……I was about to point that out and stopped myself. Instead, I smiled briefly and patted his shoulder.

"Well—good work. I trust the official business didn't suffer for the speed of your return?"

"Not in the slightest. I drove myself to finish it early so I could come back."

"Then I'm glad to hear it. You're always at your best when you're working diligently."

At that, Joachim's smile brightened further. He rose slowly to his feet and asked:

"Any incidents while I was away?"

"Oh, you know me.…