Dick Measuring

'One more year...' Will reminded himself, wearing a practiced smile as he welcomed the guests of his first and final ball as interim Speaker for the Society of Excellence. He would similarly need to host and attend balls as the Lord of Eastwarden, but since most of the planning would be handled by Lyra, he would just need to show his face when especially high-ranking guests were in attendance.

'But seriously, this kid is starting to annoy me....' Will groaned internally, pulling a stylish, silvarium pocket watch from the inner breast pocket of his black, silver-trimmed, baroque-esque suit. It was typical for members of the Royal Family to arrive at balls fashionably late, but that was only to emphasize the difference in status between them and the host. But, even then, the norm was ten to twenty minutes, not an hour and thirteen...