The investiture ceremony was interminable. A lengthy recitation of the First Rank Ambassador's Year of Trial strained his polite half-smile to the breaking. The only relief was when they switched to the Regent's Year of Trial; then he beamed like a besotted fool, knew it, and didn't care. When the sacred record — a rose quartz crystal larger than his doubled fists — was placed in their hands, the newly confirmed First Rank Ambassador and Second Rank Ambassadorial Regent raised it high, and the assembled notables clapped politely and exchanged relieved nods.
The Ambassador stepped to the podium and let his gaze sweep over the audience before mouthing the useless platitudes expected of him. He found a few familiar faces. Twinkle — now going by Terrance — in his Fifth Rank Ambassador Corp uniform. Smasher in the robes of Head Summoner. And Capital Prime Dukes Dukes, with more medals on his dress uniform, but otherwise unchanged by his rising position.
"So it's with great pleasure I must announce—" The Ambassador turned to the Regent, and she rose quickly to take his extended hand. His gaze floated over the audience as he turned back and landed on Dukes's fierce look and minute headshake. "Well," he glanced back at the Regent, then Dukes, who shook his head again, mouthing something. "We're expecting."
The Regent's nails bit into his forearm and, as the room erupted in applause, she hissed, "What are you doing? That's not what you promised!"
"Please." His pointed look led hers to Dukes. "Later."
Her eyes narrowed, but her lips curled into a delighted smile, and her hands pressed to her stomach.
"To the future!" someone shouted, lifting a hand in a salute.
"To the future!" The cheers rang from the vaulted ceiling, but they were drowned by the pounding of the Ambassador's heart.