Mother Maeria directed an inquisitive gaze at him with her elder eyes. "You sound busy… does this have anything to do with the death of your father?"
Rui nodded as his expression grew heavy. His silence weighed down on the atmosphere, while his ethereal eyes reflected just a hint of all the emotions that welled up within the depths of his heart. Mother Maeria put her head down as she walked over to Rui with a gentle, caring expression.
"I am sorry for your loss." She gently hugged him.
"…Thank you."
"Your father was an extraordinary man," she spoke with sincerity. "I expected East Genoran negotiations with him to slog, but he wrapped them up in two sessions, smoothly reaching an acceptable compromise for both sides and reeling us in as allies. It was one of the reasons that the Panamic Alliance lasted as long and well as it did."
Rui nodded silently. "…I intend to succeed him."
