"I thought we might get through one day without apologizing to someone…"  

The rhythmic *clip-clop* of the carriage horses on the cobblestone road set the background as Valentin sighed. They were on their way home after the garden party at the imperial palace.  

Today, it hadn’t been the children but Reynard who had caused trouble, leaving Valentin to repeatedly apologize to both the Emperor and Meyer. The incident stemmed from Reynard's overly serious reaction to a suggestion made by Emperor Allison herself.  

["Even as babies, they seem so fond of each other. Why not consider an early …