Julian lifted his head to find the Duke looking at him with an almost painful longing in his eyes.
"If it's uncomfortable for you, I will send them away at dawn. They have been well received, so they should make their way back."
Julian shook his head. He could feel Alaric's firm care and determination to ease whatever worries he had. But he was fine.
"More importantly," Julian said, "Are you fine?"
The Duke blinked. Why was he asking him that?
"Lucien, I know you're putting up more than I am, so tell me. Are you alright?"
"It's annoying," Alaric stated and then finally stopped walking. They were already in front of Lucius' room, and it looked like the boy had started to snooze from the comfortable rocking movement of his father. "Everything, my cousin, the Priest, it is all annoying."
