Chapter 106: A Very Special Sauce
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 106: A Very Special Sauce
Tonight’s formal dinner was attended by the key figures of the delegation, including Pacio, as well as myself, Perel, and other high-ranking administrators.
On the surface, the atmosphere was cordial, but blades were hidden beneath the words being exchanged.
As Perel had warned, Pacio was certainly a tiresome opponent.
— "Count Pacio is a man who knows exactly how to exploit his surroundings and the situation. He is exceptionally skilled at putting people in a bind with just a few words. Some even say that the only reason the Kingdom of Rondoris wields such influence despite its size is thanks to their Foreign Minister, Pacio."
Because of this, Count Pacio reportedly enjoyed the deep trust of the Rondoris royal family, particularly Princess Pelianes.
"We were hoping to host the Blenheim delegation in Rondoris instead," Count Pacio remarked, slicing into a piece of tender scallop. "After all, is Gold Lane not already famous enough that everyone knows of it? It is quite familiar to us as well."
He was essentially asking what was so new about Gold Lane that they had been summoned all the way to Blenheim.
"If the opportunity arises, it would be good for us to visit your side as well."
"I would dearly love to invite Her Highness the Consort as well," Pacio said, his smile radiating a practiced kindness. "In Rondoris, you could watch operas and plays to your heart's content. You must have been quite bored in the North all this time; how have you managed to endure it?"
"The North has plenty of entertainment; it’s just not well-known yet. We even have a new shopping district now. Oh, and since you all enjoy the opera, I’m sure you’ll find the musical fountain quite to your liking. Isn't that right, Sir Perel?"
"Indeed, Your Highness," Perel chimed in eagerly, backing me up. "Is Blenheim not the only place on the continent where one can witness a musical fountain?"
"Since Her Highness speaks of it with such pride, I find myself quite looking forward to seeing this shopping district," Pacio said, his lips curling into a loose smile. "Though, I must admit, I was skeptical when I first heard the news."
After all, rumors tend to be more exaggerated and hollow than reality, he seemed to imply. His low murmur sounded exceptionally loud in the quiet room.
"Come to think of it, the public rumors regarding the Grand Duchess are also quite..."
Pacio narrowed his eyes as if in sympathy.
"To think they would say such things about someone so elegant. Isn't that so? I feel as though I should apologize on their behalf for how much people have misunderstood you."
I forced a smile.
He really didn't need to remind me just how abysmal my reputation used to be.
"Well. Does everyone not have two sides to them?" I said, blinking with feigned innocence. "Even the most docile animal has no choice but to show its teeth when someone tries to bite them."
So, you'd better be careful not to get bitten yourself.
"Indeed, blood will tell," Pacio let out a hearty laugh as if he had just heard a hilarious joke. "You are the spitting image of the Marquis—bold and relentless."
The moment he mentioned the Marquis, the administrators' faces stiffened instantly.
"You know the Marquis?"
"I have met him a few times. During the Monster War, I personally traveled to the capital to seek his assistance."
Pacio put particular emphasis on the words 'Monster War.'
"The Marquis was so resolute in his negotiations that I was quite severely rebuffed."
He was likely referring to the fact that the Marquis had ultimately refused to send reinforcements. Pacio scanned the Blenheim administrators, his gaze lingering as if to remind them exactly whose daughter I was.
"He was a man from whom there was much to learn."
Some members of the delegation stole glances at me, gauging my reaction. I caught Perel’s eye, stopping him just as he looked ready to burst out in indignation, and gave Pacio a cold sidelong glance.
"To say I resemble the Marquis... those are harsh words."
"I take after my mother."
Pfft. Someone couldn't help but let out a muffled snort at my remark.
"I believe in setting the facts straight."
A few people looked at me to see if I was being serious or joking, but the razor-sharp tension in the air loosened slightly thanks to the comment.
"Furthermore, I would prefer it if the Count focused on the present rather than the past," I said, offering Pacio a soft smile. "No relationship can last long if it is one-sided. Is that not why you, Count Pacio, so readily accepted the responsibility of this delegation?"
I was reminding him that Rondoris needed trade with Blenheim just as much as we did. For a kingdom with a small domestic market, Blenheim was their biggest customer.
Don't act so arrogant, as if we're the ones who need to bow down.
I sent him a look filled with firm resolve.
"Surely a man of your exceptional discernment would not rely on rumors or reputation to make a judgment. Not just in business or diplomacy, but in judging a person's character as well."
"Exceptional discernment... you flatter me."
The Count quietly raised his wine glass, signaling he would drop the subject for now.
"I shall keep Your Highness's words in mind."
With that, the sharp exchange entered a brief lull. It was finally time for the main course to be served.
Just that short conversation had left me exhausted.
I hope this ends quickly.
I was thinking I should finish the food as fast as possible once it arrived when I suddenly had to stifle a groan.
Why does my stomach hurt all of a sudden?
It wasn't a simple stomachache. My head spun instantly, and a wave of abdominal pain hit me, feeling as if dozens of needles were stabbing into my gut.
Did I eat something wrong?
But everyone else looked perfectly fine. I had been so busy today that I hadn't even managed to eat a proper meal.
As I hurriedly retraced everything I had consumed, something clicked.
It was before the banquet began. I had stopped by the kitchen to check if the meal preparations were going well. While I was there, I was told that Janet had come by and caused a scene.
— "Reta was hurt? Call Hosen immediately! No, would it be better to ask Enol?"
— "Whitley has already asked the personal physician for a special ointment. Fortunately, the guard pulled her away quickly, so it seems she isn't as badly hurt as we feared."
At the time, I was so preoccupied with Reta being hurt that I didn't think deeply about it. My only thought was a vow to deal with Janet the moment tonight's work was over.
But thinking about it now, something was strange.
Why did Janet suddenly go to the kitchen?
And of all times, right when the delegation's banquet was being prepared...
What if Janet had done something to the food while everyone was distracted?
But I didn't eat anything in the kitchen...
The sauce.
Berni had mentioned adding a famous spice from Rondoris to the steak sauce and asked me to try a bit.
I only had about half a spoonful, but...
What on earth did she put in the sauce?
In the midst of the pain, I was at least thankful it didn't seem to be a lethal poison.
She wouldn't be bold enough to try and kill the entire delegation and the Grand Duchess.
However, if the delegation ate the steak and suffered a collective bout of stomach pain, this entire visit would be a disaster.
Perel, sitting next to me, noticed my complexion and asked in surprise, "You're breaking out in a cold sweat."
I whispered to him so only he could hear. Perel’s face instantly turned pale.
Meanwhile, the abdominal pain was growing more intense.
Just then, I heard movement outside the door. They were about to bring in the main course, the steak.
Perel urgently caught Whitley’s eye, signaling him to stop them.
The quick-witted Whitley signaled the footman at the door. The footman closed the door discreetly in front of the confused servants holding the plates.
Whitley moved nimbly toward Perel, who quickly relayed the message.
"I will handle it immediately."
With a stiff expression, Whitley hurried away. I needed to buy some time until another dish could be prepared.
"Count Pacio, before we have the main course, I would like to share a wine that serves as a palate cleanser. What do you think?"
"That sounds wonderful, Your Highness."
The Count, unaware of the situation, nodded compliantly.
Enduring the sensation of my intestines shriveling, I gave the order to bring out a wine we had prepared as an aperitif for another day.
Soon, the servants entered and filled the glasses.
"Hmm, is this perhaps Tiber wine?" one of the delegation members asked, looking pleased. "This is something that has been difficult to find even in Rondoris lately."
It was a specialty from a region in Rondoris famous for its wine.
The impressed reactions of the delegation barely registered. My fingertips were tingling from the pain.
I wanted to go lie down right this second, but if I left now, there would be no host to attend to the guests, which would be a grave insult.
"The aroma is excellent. The wine has aged perfectly."
As the delegation emptied their glasses, the servants skillfully refilled them.
Can I really last until the end of this banquet?
After the steak, there’s the cheese platter and wine, then dessert and herbal tea...
I would have to remain seated for at least another hour.
The intervals between the bouts of pain were getting shorter. My hands, slick with sweat, were trembling so much I could barely hold my glass.
God, please give me the strength to endure until the end.
Just then, one of the ministers from the delegation asked me where I had sourced the wine. I gritted my teeth, forced a smile, and resumed the conversation.