Stifled giggles erupted.
Heena and Secretary Chen had barely made it a bit down the corridor from the council chamber when the sounds of absolute chaos erupted behind them.
'CRASH! SPLAT! THWACK!'
"MY EYES! THE INK IS IN MY EYES!"
'THUD THUD THUD'
"STOP THROWING SO MANY AT ONCE!"
Heena stopped walking, tilted her head to listen, and then—
She burst into laughter.
Not her usual controlled, dignified chuckle. Full, genuine, unrestrained laughter that echoed through the hallway and made her lean against the wall for support.
Secretary Chen looked at her with barely concealed delight, clearly thrilled that his Empress was enjoying his favorite entertainment as much as he was.
"Your Majesty," he said, trying to sound professional, "you seem... amused."
"Amused?" Heena gasped between laughs. "Chen, I'm 'delighted'. This is the best decision I've made all month."
Of course she'd known this would happen. She'd 'planned' for this to happen.
