Chapter 36 Healthy Competition

• "If it isn't Juan, my Prince! It's amazing how much you've grown in just a few months of my absence!" Warlord Vaslof exclaimed with a wide grin as Juan walked into the room. The Prince failed to reciprocate the grin.
• "Warlord Vaslof. It sure is good to have you back. So, you sent for me?" Juan said blandly as he took his seat and Vaslof sat back on his, which was adjacent to the Prince's.
• "Oh, yes I did, and I'm grateful to you for coming out to see me. I must say, it stung a little, as you didn't even show up at the council meeting yesterday. made me feel like you had no desire to see me after my stay in that cursed land. Did you not care about my well-being? I thought we were friends," Vaslof faked a grumble, frowning playfully. Juan shifted uncomfortably in his seat as Vaslof's behavior was off-putting. Indeed, they were close, but things were changing and Juan wished for them to only relate formally now.