By the time Lionel finished debating with those incompetent elders in the grand hall, I'd already dined with Kao and Carol. As twilight fell, I sat at the table watching the darkening sky outside, when an inexplicable melancholy crept over me. Those elders always prolonged meetings as if their sole purpose was testing others' patience. Meanwhile, I could only wait idly for Lionel's return, debating whether to pick another fight tonight. His recent behavior had been thoroughly exasperating.