Bright spring sunshine streamed through the tall arched windows of the Bagnia Embassy, casting warm patches of light onto the finely embroidered carpet.
Outside, Inyama's red-tiled rooftops stretched beneath the blue sky, while distant church spires traced the elegant skyline of the Bohemian Empire's capital.
In a small sitting room inside the embassy, three men in Bagnian diplomatic attire sat around a table inlaid with mother-of-pearl. A white porcelain tea set from Taobao rested on the table, its fragrant steam curling into the air.
Flower Lin, Bagnia's ambassador to the Bohemian Empire and the eldest of the brothers, gently blew on the golden tea in his cup.
He was nearly forty-five, with fine lines already creasing the corners of his eyes, but his bearing still retained the Lin family's characteristic elegance.
"I've just received a letter from home."
Flower set down his cup, his voice calm.
"Father is well at the Summer Palace back home. The pear blossoms there are in full bloom this spring."
The youngest, Lucas, one of the embassy's deputy ambassadors, breathed a sigh of relief. He was only twenty-five, and his face still retained traces of boyishness.
"So Chris really has only restricted Father's freedom? He hasn't mistreated him otherwise?"
The other deputy ambassador, Edgar, the third eldest brother, chuckled and added a spoonful of honey to his tea.
"Mistreated him?
"As far as I know, Father still reads, plays chess, and walks in the gardens every day. Apart from being unable to leave the Summer Palace, his life isn't much different from before. He's even found time to keep a few laughingthrushes."
Flower nodded, lightly tapping the rim of his cup with his fingertips.
"To be honest, this outcome is far better than we expected. When I received news of the merger between the Minicia