something funny, Lord Marce? asked a young woman, standing in front of a desk. She was wearing imperial green. This was clearly the emperox, and equally clearly he'd just blown his entrance. He bowed. I'm sorry, Your Majesty, he said. I was surprised by your office. How so? I … well. Ma'am. It looks like a museum exploded inside of it. Obelees Atek sucked in her breath and apparently was now waiting for the emperox to sentence him to a beheading. Instead she laughed, openly, loudly. Thank you, she said, with emphasis.
In a comedic exchange, a young woman in imperial green, who is revealed to be the emperox, questions a man's reaction to her office. He finds it unexpectedly cluttered and likens it to a museum explosion. His candid comment draws a tense silence, as he fears for his fate. However, instead of anger, the emperox unexpectedly bursts into laughter, appreciating the humor in his remarks.
This moment highlights both the seriousness of the court and the ability of humor to diffuse tension. The man's honesty resonates with the emperox, showing her willingness to connect on a more personal level despite the heavy surroundings of her responsibilities.
