Chapter 693: Chapter 693: Frazzled

I hadn't noticed how frazzled Mom looked when she sat with the rest of the Council while they lectured me on my unweddedness. But now I focused on her and not my own troubles, I saw the slight darkness under her eyes. How she looked more tired than usual.

Mom returned my hug before latching onto Meira. I caught a flicker of motion to my right, glanced over and spotted Maurice watching with a pinched and bitter expression. Looked like our little family lunch was on his list of unnecessary events.

"Council Leader," he said in his whiny voice, round belly rising and falling as he spoke with his nose in the air. "You realize we have much to do between now and this evening?"

I have no idea where Mom found her patience. Instead of dropkicking his rotund little body out the nearest window like I would have, she smiled and nodded to him, waving him aside. She led Meira and me through the doorway he attempted to block as he spluttered at her for forcing him to move.