"Where are you?" The last thing he had to do before he could finally leave was tie his shoes. The timing had gone well.

He'd gotten accustomed to the idea that she was his nation, his future empire, and perhaps his resolve to destroy her had been shaken now that there was a face other than his father's to consider. Was she one of those important people that he would respond to without question if she needed his help? He wasn't sure yet.