The walk back to the palace was, to say the least, uncomfortable for Mark.
Not because of the distance or the road itself, but because of the emperor's constant effort to strike up a conversation with him.
Throughout the entire journey, Joseph didn't stop talking.
He asked about the kingdom's weather, the quality of elven wines, the city's architecture, his impressions of life in the capital, and a dozen other topics that Mark suspected Joseph didn't actually care about at all.
Every question came accompanied by a wide smile and a carefree tone that felt extremely forced.
"And tell me, how are you finding life as a ruler so far?" Joseph continued as they walked. "I imagine the change must have been overwhelming. One day you're a… well, whatever you were before, and the next you have an entire kingdom on your shoulders."
"It involves more paperwork than I expected…" Mark replied dryly.
Joseph burst out laughing as if Mark had just told the best joke in the world.
