King Theodore was already seated when they arrived at the private dining room, a stack of papers opened beside his coffee cup. He looked up as they entered, his face breaking into a warm smile.

"Ah, there you are!" he exclaimed, rising to his feet. "I was beginning to think you might not appear at all."

Amelia felt heat rise to her cheeks, wondering if her father-in-law could somehow read on her face exactly what had delayed them. But Niko squeezed her hand reassuringly as he guided her to a ...