Hearing the tartness in her voice was enough to make him realize how disrespectful he was being. No ruler would abide such a pessimistic outlook about their nation.
"Please forgive me. I meant not to imply that Essyrn's greatness is exclusively a thing of the past. I may fear what the future may bring, but Fate does have a tendency to defy expectations. And perhaps Hakeshna is merely testing us and the trials that are to come will only serve to strengthen our great land."
