I ruffled Callestine's hair and let him stay exactly where he was, sitting cross-legged on the blanket, chewing on a pastry like the world wasn't constantly trying to kill him.
A kid.
Just a kid.
Minus one grown man who clearly thought he was invited.
Tsk.
Callian sat on my picnic blanket with his arms crossed, watching us like this was some peaceful family moment and not him intruding on my rare slice of calm.
I really wanted to kick him out.
"Callian," I said, raising a brow. "Aren't you busy?"
He smiled faintly, like he'd been waiting for that.
"A little relaxation," he replied. "Isn't that what you're encouraging my son to do?"
My eye twitched.
"That only applies to Callestine," I said flatly. "Not you, dummy."
Callestine's shoulders drooped a little, his fingers tightening on his cup.
I sighed and crouched in front of him.
"Callestine, I'm not fighting with your father," I said. "I'm just reminding him he has work to do. And an empire to rule."
