His face warms into a broad smile. “This is why I chose you to be my successor, Timofey. You always see reason. You aren’t driven by your emotions.”
“Of course I’m not. You raised me to ignore them.”
I don’t miss how bitter those words sound on my lips.
I turn my attention outside again. Piper is walking across the grass, pointing out things as she goes. I haven’t seen her since last night at dinner, but Akim has kept me filled in on her movements. He’ll never admit it, but he’s jealous that someone else has taken over his caregiving role. Every time I’ve seen him today, he’s been watching Benjamin’s nursery cameras like a hawk.
“I usually play peek-a-boo with the new diaper before I put it on him,” he whined earlier. “It makes it a bit more fun. But whatever. She’s doing fine, I guess
