Ezekiel leaned back in his chair, eyeing the spread. "So this is what imperial breakfasts look like now? I expected more drama."
Arin chuckled. "The drama usually starts after the food."
Ezekiel laughed. "Ah. My kind of court." He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "I must say, Your Majesty," he said to Katherine, "this palace feels different."
Katherine smiled politely. "Different?"
"The air seems calmer," he said. "Which means you're doing something right."
Huldah nodded. "We should have said this earlier," she added gently. "Congratulations, Empress Katherine."
Alaric snorted quietly. "She's been Empress for over a year now."
Ezekiel waved a dismissive hand. "Time moves strangely when you're avoiding politics."
Alaric raised a brow. "That's your excuse?"
"It's a good one," Ezekiel replied easily."Boy, just admit you missed me."
