Arin Helev was taken aback when he saw his cousin in his chamber when he returned to the palace in the evening.
"Sophie," he called out as he walked towards her. "You come?"
Sophie Lamiya nodded with a little smile and rose from her seat. "The Queen came in the afternoon. She invites me for dinner."
With a genuine smile on his face, the King hugged his cousin. When he pulled back, he observed her. "How have you been?" he asked. "I'm so busy these days and I think it's been a while since I last came."
"I'm doing fine," Sophie calmly said. "I can see how busy you are. It's late and you're only home now," she added and clicked her tongue.
Arin Helev sighed when he heard her. "You won't know how much I wish to stay more at home." He glanced around and continued, "But you see, Iria spends more time with Morin than me these days."
Sophie laughed. "They are learning some military tactics. I think they will almost be done now."