Heena held up her good hand.
"Stop," she said.
He stopped.
She looked at him for a long moment, then smiled.
"I will triple your salary," she said.
He blinked.
"And," she continued, "you may hire seven more secretaries. Your choice. Whomever you want. Pay them whatever you think is fair. I don't care. Just finish all this work."
For a heartbeat, he just stared at her.
Then his entire expression transformed.
He dropped into a bow so deep his forehead nearly touched his knees, and when he straightened, his eyes were shining with the fervor of a man who had just been handed the keys to heaven.
"Your Majesty!" he said, voice ringing with sudden, passionate sincerity. "Why should you even need to do this work? Of course we, the secretaries, are the ones responsible for it! The Empress's duty is only to rest and enjoy her life! We live to serve!"
Heena gave him a thumbs-up with her uninjured hand.
"That's the spirit," she said. "Now get out and let me finish my breakfast."
