He couldn't help it, he laughed, in a short burst. If only she knew... she could know all that happened in the time between, if she wanted to. But he couldn't just say 'I banished you,' not without starting from the beginning. But that aside, while her reaction wasn't entirely telling, it wasn't an outright rejection. That was a small relief.

"The people seemed pleased enough. Your brother had no objections, at the very least."