Sage hummed softly with a nod. "Yes, but there are people out there who knows how to run groups. Talk to the people, protect their territories," he pointed out. "I know it's a bigger decision than just who you like, but do try to find someone you would enjoy living with," he added. Then he wrinkled his nose. "Sometimes, yes...but that's why they're there. To back you up. Take their opinions. But also make your own," he noted, giving her a pointed look. "Don't let everyone else dictate your entire life." Yes, she would need to make decisions for the kingdom, but not every small thing needed to be that way. She needed to be healthy and happy too, in order to rule the best she could. That was the point, he supposed. If she was hurting and scared to make any choices, she'd never help her people.

Anya just nodded to him. She didn't agree, and she didn't think she ever would. She'd thought about it, in depth, when she was young. But, it'd been drilled into her what she had to do. Her mother had made sure of that. It was why she'd been set up with Luther. He would join two kingdoms together, and hopefully, it would be good for everyone. The bonus was that he was actually like... her age, and she did like him. She'd never loved him, not in the way she'd wanted to, but she did love him like a life long sibling. Her best friend, she supposed. Still, she didn't think Sage would much agree with her thinking, so, she just agreed with him to put an end to the conversation, because it did upset her more than she wanted to admit. "Yeah, you're right," she hummed gently.

Sage could hear in her tone she didn't really believe him ... and he did know he'd never fully be able to understand where she was coming from. How she thought. But they did understand each other in some ways, and he did appreciate her friendship. Really he just hoped she'd be able to move forward with everything. Be able to move on, let herself make a happy life. The kingdom would always be there, but that didn't need to control her. He knew Mari would be waiting for him though, so after another half hour of casual conversation or so he had moved to wander down to the doctors office, greeting the old man and Mari lightly, plopping down on the couch next to him wife.

Mari had been chatting rather happily with the doctor - she'd picked up almost right away that he wasn't in any sort of mood for serious conversation, so kept it light. Talking about the kids, the horses, or how she'd gone back to work. He seemed fairly happy to hear about it all, to be honest, although when she mentioned the taven his face screwed up. The kids seemed like the best topic, though. How happy Silas was with the afterschool clubs he'd picked up, or how Liz had an ever growing passion for reading and writing - general schooly stuff, really. She was a bright young girl. When Sage wandered on in, though, she flashed him a happy smile in greeting, and moved over so he could settle next to her.

Sage greeted the family happily, giving the doctor and sort of hug before moving to settle down next to Mari, leaning against her comfortably and wrapping an arm around her without even really thinking about it at this point. He hadn't really picked up on when they were talking about so far, so he sort of just sat there and listened until he figured out what they'd been talking about about and could pipe into the conversation lightly. He did miss the old man, he supposed, so it was nice to catch up.

Mari sat happily, chatting away as she normally did. Mostly about the children. She loved those little rascals more than anything, and he would know as much. She knew the doctor loved them too - maybe even more than he loved Sage. She supposed that was just how grandparents worked, though. She knew her mother was always thrilled to have two happy, smiling faces around her. When Sages arm wrapped around her, though, she glanced over at him, for a moment, her hand wandering towards his before entwining them lightly. She took a glance at the clock after a second, a soft sigh escaping her. "We should probably get going," she mused gently.

Sage was happy to let Mari do most of the talking ..she enjoyed it and he knew the doctor did too. And honestly, so did he. She was much more social than him, and while the doctor was one of his people he was comfortable around, she always looked so happy when she got to just....chat. it was nice to see. At her comment a while later though, he hummed softly after glancing out the window. "I promised att I'd catch him and say bye, why don't I go grab chaos and meet you down by the gates, yeah," he hummed softly, moving to peck her lips and wander off to the barn when she agreed.

Mari smiled softly to him, offering him a little nod and watching him wandering off. She spoke to the doctor for another few minutes, then found herself wandering quietly down towards the gates. She looked happy - she had to admit, she'd been worried about the state of the kingdom over the last few days, but coming up to the castle and hearing from the doctor that things were going smoothly did put her mind at ease. To some extent, anyway.

Sage had moved down to the barn, finding art and then chatting with him for a few minutes as the younger boy helped get chaos get hitched up to the cart before telling him goodbye and moving chaos down to the gate, where he met Mari and helped her on. They were heading home soon after that, chaos trotting along happily as they went.

Mari smiled slightly when she saw Sage coming towards her, and clambered up with a hand from him onto the cart. She raised a brow slightly when they were nearly half way back. She cocked her head. "What'd you say to leaving the kids with Emmy mother for the night and getting somw peace?" She asked with a playful chuckle.