"The same eyes as mine? What does––"
Aideen sought more clarification, but she was unable to finish her question as the door to the reading room swung open, ushering in familiar heavy footsteps.
"What brings you here, Your Grace? As you can see, we are in the middle of our first lesson, just as you requested."
Ahspid leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and offered the Duke a wide, arrogant smile. Tillian chose to disregard the mage's whimsical behavior and strode toward Aideen, who had risen to her feet the moment she heard the magus addressing His Grace.
"Your Grace, why are you back from your patrol? Did something happen? Is it this late already?!"
Releasing a soft chuckle in response to the princess's adorable shocked expression, Tillian gently placed his big, gloved hands on top of her shoulders and replied,
