"It seems the Marquess Ashcroft is the only one who has arrived, brother," Lenora said.
I sat with Lenora and Eleanor in one of the palace's sunlit salons, a spacious, elegantly appointed chamber traditionally reserved for the private discussions between nobles, especially noblewomen.
"Hm," I nodded dismissively.
"What kind of answer is that, brother?" Lenora asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"I am sulking, Lenora. You interrupted a rather lovely breakfast between Eleanor and me," I replied, leaning back in my chair.
Lenora rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I came to discern why my brother, the King of Helios, was altogether absent from the greeting of our guest. Imagine my shock to find him leisurely finishing his breakfast, ignoring the presence of a Marquess."
"I wouldn't call it ignoring. I was simply preoccupied with my wife," I corrected. "Besides, the Queen Mother is there to offer her a proper welcome."
