"We were both idiots."
Akshay continued.
"Difference is I became king."
Andre crossed his arms.
"And you're still an idiot."
"Fair."
---
Kai blinked.
"You just accepted that?"
"I've known him for years."
Akshay pointed toward Andre.
"Trust me, fighting that battle isn't worth the effort."
---
The king stood.
Walking toward one of the windows.
Outside, the lights of Yggdrasil stretched across the mountainside.
Beautiful.
Massive.
Alive.
Akshay quietly looked over it.
For a brief moment he didn't seem like a king.
Just a tired man.
---
"You came from Lee's village."
Kai nodded.
"How are they?"
The question caught him off guard.
It sounded genuine.
Not political.
Not formal.
Personal.
---
"They're doing alright."
Akshay relaxed slightly.
"The monster problem?"
"Handled."
The king nodded.
"Good."
Kai noticed something.
Akshay hadn't asked about trade.
Taxes.
Military strength.
Resources.
The first thing he asked about was the village itself.
The people.
---
Maybe he wasn't a bad king after all.
---
A servant entered.
Tea was served.