Rhino looked at them with a welcoming smile. "We were just eating. Come on, join us—you both must be tired from your journey, right?"
Barty shrugged. "Well, not really," he said with a grin.
Alex nodded. "We actually just had a meal ourselves."
Rhino waved off their replies, his tone insistent. "Come on, let's go. My mother's in the dining room, and I'm sure she'd love to talk with you both."
He motioned for them to follow, and the three of them headed down the hallway together, their voices echoing softly as they walked.
As they entered the dining room, Queen Anya looked up from her meal, her gaze softening when she saw Rhino returning with Alex and Barty by his side. Her faint smile hinted at a mixture of surprise and warmth, and she set her fork down, clasping her hands together.
"Your Majesty," Alex greeted, giving a slight bow. Barty followed with the same respectful nod, both men showing her deference.
