"Where's Rayjin?" Arlan inquired.
"She was playing late and eventually grew tired, so she fell asleep," Alvera replied. "She wanted to come see you, but I told her you were occupied and not to disturb you."
"I'll see her tomorrow," he responded, only to hear a sweet yet discontented voice saying, "Why tomorrow? Is Uncle planning to leave without seeing me?"
Arlan glanced at the young girl, who was still rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her nanny had caught up with her.
Arlan regarded her with a gentle expression. "Did you just wake up?"
She nodded with a pout and walked towards him. "If Nanny hadn't told me that my parents were having a meal with my uncle, I wouldn't have known you were here."
They overheard Nanny apologizing to her master, "Duchess, I tried to stop her, but my lady ran here."
"It's all right, you can leave."
Arlan picked up the upset Rayjin and placed her in his lap, only to hear her say, "I'm upset with you, Uncle."
