Minerva looked between them for one quiet, satisfied moment.
Otto's voice then carried across the ballroom, but it was calmer than before.
"Diego."
Minerva's smile dimmed.
Dean turned his head.
Diego was standing beside the Emperor again, solemn and angelic, which meant whatever he had done had already progressed beyond apology. In one small hand he held what appeared to be another imperial button. In the other, he held a pastry. Otto, still speaking with the ambassador from Draxil, had one sleeve sitting at a suspicious angle and the expression of a man choosing between fatherhood and state dignity.
Minerva sighed.
Arion glanced over and said, without guilt, "He has excellent timing."
"He has criminal timing," Dean corrected.
Minerva handed her glass to a passing attendant with the controlled grace of a woman preparing to retrieve national property from a seven-year-old. "Excuse me. I need to save the Emperor from his child."
