"You know, father-in-law, I'm enjoying this frank version of you," Erik grinned, raising an eyebrow. "I don't think we've ever spoken like this, have we?"
Ankhur appeared contemplative and then shook his headed wryly. "No, I don't think we have. I think it's the… absurdity of this situation that's making me speak like this."
He waved his one biological hand helplessly in the air, while his elbow remained on the armrest. "I mean, my kingdom was on the verge of falling before you showed up, and now, a few months later, we're subjugated under an empire, yet thriving, my daughter has married—something I was starting to doubt she'd ever do—and now my sister… Well… I don't even know what to say there."
