"You should try to get some actual sleep tonight, Lord Philia."
Philia offered a smile to Valen, nodding his head as he set the empty cup down on the wooden side table. "I know, Valen. Thank you. Have a good night."
"Goodnight, Lord Philia." Valen offered a brief, familiar nod before turning toward the door.
He reached for the cool brass handle and pulled the door open. The moment he opened it, Valen froze.
Standing right there in the dim corridor, his hand half-raised as if he had been just about to knock, was Yerel. The prince looked remarkably tired, his dark hair slightly windswept and the collar of his fine silk tunic unbuttoned just enough to look casual.
Valen recovered quickly, instantly dropping his head into a polite bow. With a final, quiet gesture of respect, Valen slipped past him into the hallway, his boots making almost no sound against the floor as he disappeared around the corner.
