The bride and groom were lovely. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked sincere, and Her Royal Highness Princess Granadal is a very beautiful person.
She looked great in her pure white dress.
I think. Well, to be honest, we are too far away to get a good view.
The table we were at is quite far back. So, my interest quickly shifted to the dishes served in the table. And as expected, the royal palace’s dishes are luxurious. High-quality luxurious ingredients were used generously, and the variety, quantity and quality of the food are all very satisfying. There are things that are only prepared by the court chefs.
But I don’t think Lynn’s cooking is to be outdone.
Actually, if I had to choose, I would say Lynn’s cooking is more delicious. I can’t describe it well, but I feel the warmth, flexibility and potential in her dishes. It’s exciting and relaxing, stimulating yet calming.
That’s how that taste is.
“Cedie, take a look.”
When Eugenie pointed out to me, I looked at the upper seat, and there was a buzz in the place.
“Did something happen?”
“Have you not noticed? Look, the waiters are pouring the wine.”
“Château Gandalcia Special……”
There are only 100 bottles of Chateau Gandarcia Special, so there probably aren’t enough for all the guests. It appears that it is only available to royalty and high-ranking aristocrats.
Even from a distance, I can see how people who put the glass of wine on their mouths are amazed at how delicious it is. There is a quiet whisper, and I can see people checking the labels from here.
“Congratulations, Cedie! I think everyone liked it. Maybe this will lead to more wine orders?”
“I hope so. But I don’t want them to want it too much.”
There’s no telling when the grapes to be harvested are sparkling grapes after all.
However, if everyone buys Gandalcian wine, the salaries of the islanders will increase. I also need buy ship and build railways, so I need money for that.
This time, the sales are 12 million crown coins, but if I want to get railways and ships, it’s not enough at all.
Well, I have no choice but to work hard.
I put foie gras on the veal fillet steak and put my fork on the choux pastry-wrapped dish.
✲✲✲
My days in the capital have flown by, and today is the day we will return to Gandalcia.
We decided to take a ship using the canal to a place called Netan City. It’s faster and much easier than going down the road. And thanks to the sales of wine, my pockets are warm.
As I packed up my things and thanked Earl Simpson, I had a visitor.
It was Viscount Terbert who came. This person is the head of the Imperial Household and the person who recommended Gandalcian wine for the reception.
“It was good to see the Viscount before I returned to Findas. I wanted to thank you once again. Thank you very much.”
“Oh, no worries. Well, I’m glad I made it in time for your departure. Will you come to the palace with me now?”
“To the palace? But the ship’s departure time is approaching….…”
If we miss this, the ticket I bought will be wasted. In addition to the three of us, me, Char and Upa, I also paid for Lucio and the wagon in advance.
Viscount Tervet added apologetically.
“I shouldn’t say this out loud, but His Majesty the King wants to meet you.”
“His Majesty?”
“Yes. His Majesty has really taken a liking to your wine.”
It’s not an atmosphere where I can say no then……
I really want to go home as soon as possible, but if I say selfishly, I may cause trouble to those around me if I decline here.
“Sure, I’ll go with you.”
I quietly followed Viscount Terbert to the royal palace. We are not led to the audience room but to a small living room. Today, it is not an official business, but a very private meeting, so this must be a place for that.
When I went inside the room, I was greeted by His Majesty the King who is sitting on a large sofa. His stomach is popping out, his head with little hair is shining, but his face is smooth and healthy-looking.
I must say, he looked youthful for a man on his sixties.
“You’re Cedie Dantès huh. Hmm, your eyes look like Lugorn’s.”
Lugorn Dantes is my grandfather. Grandfather had served at the royal court.
“Lugorn was my supervisor when I was the crown prince, and he used to scold me for a lot of things.”
“I- I’m honored to hear that.”
“Well, Lugorn was strict at times, but he was also easy-going. The two of us often escaped from the court and drank in the tavern in the city. He was often scolded by the Chancellor at the time. Hahahaha!”
Grandpa…….
“Sit there. We can’t talk if you stand still there.”
His Majesty offered me a chair and treated me to tea and sweets.
“I called you because I had a favor to ask Cedie.”
“If there’s anything I can help Your Majesty with, please let me know.”
“Very well. I am talking about last night’s wine.”
As expected, it’s about the wine.
I was kind of expecting it.
I couldn’t imagine any other reason why they would go out of their way to summon me, a mere local lord, to the palace.
“What do you think? I’d like you to sell me a few bottles a year.”
“Of course, I would like to send some to Your Majesty but….”
Earl Simpson, Viscount Terbert and their other associates have already placed orders worth 120,000 crown coins.
“Pardon me Your Majesty. The next batch is already sold out, and I currently don’t know when the next shipment will be….”
If we can harvest sparkling grapes, we can ship them in about 12 days.
“One or two bottles would be fine. Is there anything you can do to accommodate that? Don’t worry, I won’t make you suffer.”
“I understand. Then, I’ll present my own bottle to Your Majesty.”
“Really!? Hoho, in that case, I will have to reward Cedie in exchange. All right, I’ll give you the title of baron.”
“Huh? In return for the wine?”
“That’s how much that wine is worth. In return, I want you to give me priority when you are selling it in the future.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
I wasn’t interested in titles, but when I think about it, there are many benefits to it. The most important is the toll tax. Travelers must pay a toll tax at each checkpoint set by the government. However, this is not the case with the aristocracy. If it is up to one horse-drawn carriage, there is no customs duty on luggage. This benefit is quite significant.
“Thank you very much, Your Majesty. I’m so honored. I’ll send the wine as soon as I get back to my territory.”
“Good, good. I’m looking forward to it.”
Thus, a second Dantes family was born in the kingdom of Floodland.
One is the original Earl Dantes family. The family’s coat of arms is two wolves guarding a crown surmounted by a rose.
The other is the Baron Dantes family, a branch family. My coat of arms are two thrushes perched on a hazel tree.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
Previous ⚜ Table of Contents ⚜ Next
Yume Neiji's Works 