He nods - stiff at the stranger, then looks at his mother for to translation - something Lakshmi leans in gladly to do. Relating, "He is my son, and he promised to stand by my side." It hurts, it hurts utterly to know who he would have promised it too. How solemn he would have been to her husband. She leans, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

Because - he should be a boy, he shouldn't be so serious. So hard, but like her, like her guards, there was nothing else for it. He should be a boy, laughing, playing, not living a rough life of fighting and running and fighting. She turns her gaze up, this wasn't the time to reminisce, to look about in longing. "Shall we? There is much to discuss, but half the time."