"You're busy with the Knights' Order all day and hardly ever come back. How long has it been since you sat down and had a meal with the Old Ancestor?"
Annan wasn't guessing. While making soup in the kitchen, he had asked the cook what life at the Manor was usually like.
Annan didn't understand nobles, but he understood the elderly. Even the Archbishop, who was closer to the gods than anyone and ought to have cast aside emotion, was delighted to see children crowding around him. Did he love children that much? Not necessarily. But seeing them might remind him of the past and bring faded memories back to life.
Olin couldn't argue. The Old Ancestor, however, smiled and said, "Olin is busy too."
"There's a lot I need to handle for the Knights' Order," Olin finally explained.
"Do you remember? When you were just a little sprout, you were always pestering the Old Ancestor to play with you. Now you've grown up and the Old Ancestor has grown old. Your roles have reversed, but when the Old Ancestor needs company, you're nowhere to be found..."
"Ah, busy, everyone's busy. It's good to be busy..."
Olin's expression grew strange. She wasn't moved; she just felt that Annan, of all people, had no business saying that.
The Old Ancestor looked at Annan, then at Olin. Having someone stand up for her felt novel and rather amusing.
"...I'll come back earlier tomorrow."
The Old Ancestor said nothing, but the smile in her eyes deepened.
"Is the Knights' Order really that busy?" Annan asked Olin between bites.
"The Knights' Order has duties and training, and little Olin insists on doing everything herself," the Old Ancestor said.
"Just like me."
"Yes, just like you."
"Oh, right. I brought gifts for you too." Remembering