"Thank you for the hospitality, Madam," Lox said, his voice carrying a long-missed ease.
He lounged lazily in a wicker chair. Sunlight shone through the crystal wineglass, making the amber liquor glow with warmth.
"To be able to sit quietly like this, have a cup of tea and taste some wine... it has been so long. Ever since I came back, I haven't properly rested. Only today have I finally caught my breath."
In the central garden of Hera Fortress, the lake lapped gently against the shore in the breeze. Moist air mixed with the scent of grass and brushed over their faces.
Across from Lox, Madam Euten held a cup as well, a gentle smile on her face. Time had left its marks upon her, yet it could not conceal the calm elegance rooted deep within her.
"The wine you are drinking was brewed by my own hands in the year Roboute left Macragge for Terra."
"It waited in the cellar for a century before finally seeing the light of day again."
Madam Euten spoke softly, her gaze resting upon the shimmering lake.
Lox paused, then understood. This had been Madam Euten's victory wine for Guilliman.
It was simply that even she had not expected a century to pass before it was finally put to use.
"Does he know about this?" Lox asked.
"Him?" Euten smiled helplessly, then raised her glass slightly and took a small sip.
"He is just like his father, King Konor. Neither of them has any interest in such things. They are both true-blue governance fanatics."
"He had only just returned from Terra and fought a hard battle. Before he had even caught his breath, he plunged headfirst into the administrative records of the past century, saying he wanted to review how Gage and the