"Did they dare interrupt him?"
"Once."
"Once?"
"The minister responsible learned that His Majesty could explain the weakness of his proposed tax reform and the instability of a pressure-channel manifold at the same time, in front of witnesses."
Liam imagined it too clearly and felt a small, unwilling satisfaction. "Efficient."
"Devastating," Kamal corrected. "The minister resigned within the month."
"Because of the tax reform?"
"Because His Majesty had also corrected his handwriting."
Liam let out a quiet breath that was almost laughter.
The ward stayed calm.
Apparently, mocking dead ministers was medically acceptable.
Kamal looked pleased by that small victory, though he hid it well. "He was most himself near machines. Near systems that answered honestly when pressured. Courts lie. Nobles flatter. Treaties rot if left unattended. But an ether line fails for a reason. A resonance chamber sings true, or it does not. His Majesty respected that."
