The chill in his voice highlighted the odd feeling she was coming to recognize as guilt settling in her chest, yet however much it hurt her to she kept her gaze steady on his. It was as thought she could see the torment and pain he suffered reflected in his eyes, and all she could do about it was clench her fists in her lap while she considering what might have been different had she been around. No parent could save their child from all the pains in the world no matter how diligently they kept watch, and yet she would have if she could.
Those few moments of reflection took less than a minute for her to come to the conclusion that while Achilles had grown it was obvious that much still remained the same. She had never wanted him to involve himself in any wars, but she supported him when he chose to go that route. Personally, she could see the sensitive soul burning within and would have preferred it if he had chosen the quiet but long life once prophesied to him back when he had the chance.
Still, there was no point in crying over spilt milk now, the past would never change and the only true was to live was to look towards the future. She continued to smile softly, nodding at his response.
"Alright, well have you had lunch yet?" She felt perhaps getting him outside his office to someplace less austere might help, since he seemed as cold as the room they were sitting in. Besides, if he started crying then she would as well, and she didn't want their reunion to be marred by anger or tears. This would be a happy occasion, eventually.
She had her reasons as to why she hadn't come sooner, though she was certain Achilles would believe them to be excuses and not valid. She knew that was her fault; she raised him in such a way that he had every reason to believe he was the most important facet of her life, and she didn't regret it.
"I apologize, but I was unwell. I felt waiting until I was myself once again would benefit you more." A short explanation, but a reason nonetheless.