Princess Ling frowned, a rare expression of genuine surprise crossing her face. Cairen straightened in his chair, on alert.
Someone had approached without him sensing it.
Ling opened the door. Outside stood an old man. His clothes were simple, a common tunic such as many cultivators wore. He also leaned slightly on a wooden staff.
His face was wrinkled, and he looked frail, like a common civilian without any cultivation. But… his eyes shone with a lucidity that seemed to pierce through both of them in the room.
Behind him, peeking with curiosity, was a little girl with wide, curious eyes, clutching the hem of his tunic.
The princess recovered her composure.
"What do you wish?" she asked calmly.
The old man ignored her completely. His bright gaze passed over her and fixed directly on Cairen, seated on the other side of the table.
"Oh." the old man suddenly uttered, his soft voice carrying the weight of age.
