Having been in the process of going over his numbers for the brothel, Lucretius was a bit slow to notice that his niece had entered his office.  It also hadn't hurt that she was one of very few who could let herself in without being announced.  This was not due to locks so much as fear of retribution.  His brother and niece were close enough that such a fear would be laughable, and one of his servants was trusted enough to have such freedom, but all others knew that such an action would not go unpunished.<br/><br/>Once he looked up and saw her, a broad smile instantly appeared on his face and he stood up, quickly side-stepping around the desk so she had a clear path to him, wasting no time in wrapping his arms around her waist.  He didn't kiss as eagerly as she did.  Unlike her, he lacked youthful abandon when it came to emotions, though he did place a kiss on her cheek as she reached him, and eventually another on the top of her head as he realized she intended to keep kissing him a while.  He reluctantly released her as she introduced him to her guard.  "Pleased to meet you."<br/><br/>At her question, he began to shake his head at her when he noticed Cadmus laughing, and soon joined in himself.  He listened as the man explained himself, smiling thinly at his appeal for forgiveness and responding evenly.  "So you have only just met my niece, and already you would mock her questions?"  He held on the question a moment before letting his smile grow.  "You needn't fear my reaction, though I do not envy you the rest of your assignment."<br/><br/>He accepted the compliment of his brothel with a genuine smile.  "Thank you.  You campaigned in Egypt?"