“Nice customs curtsy to great kings.”
“Customer is king. I am his treasurer.”
“Custom is the lord of everything, of mortals and immortals king. High violence it justifies, with hand uplifted plundering.”
“Excellence is a custom at the land of greatness, it drives our culture.”
“Be nice to his family. Pretend not to notice the way their house smells. Pretend to like their food. Mimic their barbaric customs at the dinner table.”
“I kissed his cheek. "My King." I swooped into the courtly curtsy he'd taught me as a girl, regally kicking an imaginary train aside as I turned to go. He was laughing silently as I left. For a moment I saw that spark again. I did not say goodbye.”