Klaus was surprised again to find Morven humoring Praetor; personally, he tended to avoid answering such questions. But goodness, she certainly was old--having a millennium on him and the Kingston bodyguard both. Then Mithias' took up the role of interrogator. 

His gaze flickered to the door as the doorbell rang. Mirabelle, however, stepped by him with an "Excuse me," to her guest--she was expecting another, after all. And sure enough, when the door opened, there stood Otto. She greeted him with a tight hug and then pulled away to look him up and down, her hands at his face as she watched him with a big smile. Questions swelled in her mind--[i]where've you been, are you okay, why are you back now[/i]--but she struggled to keep her composure with so many guests. So instead, she said, "Welcome home, Otto," and finally pulled away to let him in. 

She was excited to have a family member return, but her smile faded slightly--she had other matters to attend to that she kept getting pulled away from. So, Mirabelle gave Otto a look, pleading for his patience, as she stepped back to the kitchen. Mithias and Morven were exchanging words, and she waited to discuss the prospect of peace between the families.