He was just so incredibly well turned out. His garments fit as if tailored for him, and they had been. Such clothes would have been spun from the highest grade of thread, sewn in the imperial workshops, finished by the most skilled crafts-folk. The braided hem of his knee-length riding jacket glittered with delicate gold thread in the shape of lidless eyes. A badge to mark his status as a prince born in the Flower Court adorned his jacket, over the heart. The embroidered floral trim of the high neckline sat perfectly along his elegant neck. His hair was elaborately braided in multiple strands, each decorated with carved jewels, and the braids pulled back into a pony’s tail and left to dangle like a fly whisk hanging from the back of his head. It was hard not to laugh but she knew better, and regardless would never do anything to embarrass or shame the intendant.

The theurgist-turned-interlocutor reached the dais and halted. Raising the staff to get the attention of the gathered people, she spoke in a penetrating voice that easily filled the hall.

“His Highness Gevulin, Prince-Warden of the Imperial Order of Wardens, Exalted General of the All-Seeing Eye, Captain of a Thousand, Adept of the Bow and the Spear, Conqueror of the Ten Peaks Race, Eloquent Grace of the Wind Dance, Artist of the Brush and Virtuoso of the Pen, Master of the Lyre and Preeminent Bard of the Twelve Cycles and the Three Hundred and Sixty Poems of the Glorious Founder, Prince of the Third Estate and Guardian of the Absinthe Grove, born into the Flower Court on the knees of the Elegant Consort in Whose Honor the Lily Emperor of Blessed Memory Instituted the Feast of Sweet Pipes and Contrapuntal Song—”

How long was this astounding recital going to go on? Elen had never heard the like before, but of course, she’d never been in the same room as an imperial prince.

“—Last of the Court-Born Princes Born of the Lily Emperor’s Resplendent Seed—”

Elen stifled a giggle by biting hard on her lower lip.

“—His Highness Gevulin, He That Is All That Is Modest and Humble in Demeanor Bowing Before the Righteous Might and Magnificent Wisdom of the Magnolia Emperor His Blessed Elder Sister Whom He Serves as Do All Imperial Subjects. May the Heart of the Tranquil Empire and the Strength of its Emperor shine unto All Eternity beneath the Implacable Mercy and Gracious Justice of the Heavens. So do I, Luviara, interlocutor in service to the palace and theurgist dedicated to the Heart Temple, declare before all who are assembled here.”