The Queen Mother's mention of the two people closest to him indeed made Alexander's heart instantly skip a beat, and he instinctively felt his heart tip a bit in favor of the ritual.
He recalled the many times Cambyses as well as his other wives had come to him after a party or ball, crying over how the other ladies had neglected or taunted them, wrapping their insults with silken praises and sweet smiles.
All this was of course cloaked in innuendos, so Alexander coud never act on them. These ladies were masters of their art and made sure to carefully hide the true meanings behind flowery, veiled compliments.
For instance, once they offered her the backhanded compliment, "Oh, Lady Cambyses, your Azkak is so impressive! I have a slave from Thesos who's been here ten years and still cannot speak half as well as you."
This remark, under the veneer of praise, quietly placed Cambyses on the same level as a servant.
