A while later, Alistair watched the hall door swing shut, then turned to the Queen, who had resumed her place on the throne.
"Is it okay to let him leave like that?"
Elizabeth drummed her fingers on the armrest, leaning back into the seat.
"He's overly cautious. Did you see how his tone shifted when I suggested he work for the royal family? I felt that if I pressed him, he would have dramatically declared it an injustice, accusing the royal family."
Alistair blinked at her words.
"So, we're letting him go? It seems a waste to lose someone with so much potential."
He paused, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"Mother... that's unlike you. If you'd truly wanted it, you could have bound him to the royal family for life, instead of allowing him to choose a treasure from the treasury as a reward and return to the academy. To me, it seems like you went easy on him."
Elizabeth gazed at him, and Alistair fell silent. Then she let out a soft hum.
