Mother has the grace to let me struggle through a few more bites before she says, “The public ceremony can be delayed for a short time. The transfer of power does not rely on the ceremony. We could complete it tonight, if you prefer.” What little desire I had left to eat vanishes. Alcohol is the better choice. “How fortunate. We may as well start now, so we can be finished before dessert. Should I eat this course slower so you have time to go change into the proper mourning garments?”
