Drifting away

Christian strode past the guards at the doorstep and walked into the room. Grandfather turned to him as he walked in.

" Why are you looking so homeless?", he queried the moment he entered the room.

" I've been busy", he said walking towards him,

" Enough to make you look this haggard? Is something up?",

" No",

" It can't be about the rumors circulating.. woof! Woof!", his statement was interrupted by a cough,

" Stop talking, it's not the rumors and I'm good",

" But you don't look ...