"I don't know that there's much 'higher' about Baedal's ways of governance," wry, though not without a certain fondness. Monarchy still has his heart; representative government can have his lazy and occasionally begrudging respect. "But I'd be interested to hear how he's finding it. You didn't tell me you were lucky enough to bring family with you."

'Lucky' being a term that can go either way, from the sound of it. (Masking genuine envy with slight sarcasm is one of Jack's many gifts.)