He did not know why his mind went there immediately. His mother had made no attempt to speak to him privately after the Council hearing, and there had been nothing to suggest that she intended to visit him now. Still, after everything that had happened since his arrival in the Capital, he could not completely dismiss the possibility.
One of the Royal Guards stationed outside opened the door, and Zaeryn straightened slightly.
Then Princess Valerie stepped into the suite, and the tension left him almost immediately.
Her eyes found Zaeryn first, and she smiled at him before her attention moved past his shoulder. Her expression changed when she noticed Viora seated on the sofa.
"Uh, Viora, what are you doing here?" Valerie asked before looking back at Zaeryn. "You know Viora?"
