Mother approached Cael when he was preparing to sleep. When he heard a knock on the door, at first he thought it was Ginevra; he hoped it was her. But the sensation of the visitor's weak mana immediately told Cael that it wasn't her.
Still, Cael opened the door. Mother glided inside Cael's chambers with the grace of a swan. Without a word, she sat down on a chair near the window and lifted her cool, discerning eyes to Cael.
"My son," she said, her tone vaguely disapproving. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"
In the past, this look would've been enough to turn Cael pale. But he wasn't a misbehaving boy anymore… He was a man, and answered to no one.
"Mother, if you suspect me of some transgression, just say so. But you would be wrong, anyway."