"That was my hope."
Elowen looked at him quietly for a few moments before speaking.
"You've been thinking about my refit path."
Aurelian did not try to hide it.
"Yes."
For just a moment, her expression softened in a way he rarely saw.
"You already have a great many things to think about."
"You are one of them."
She lowered her eyes back to the files in front of her, pretending to study the pages again, but Aurelian could tell his words had reached her.
"I'll study these carefully," she said after a moment. "I'm not making any promises yet."
"I'm not asking for promises."
She looked up.
"I'm only asking you to be careful."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"That, I can do."
When Aurelian left her office, he felt lighter than he had when he walked in. Nothing had been solved yet, and there was still a long road ahead, but another possible path had opened. That alone made the conversation worthwhile.
