>>5487830>>5487849>>5487880>>5487945>>5488041>>5488241You decided to begin with a funny toast to loosen the atmosphere. Raising your cup you told.
-I drink to the baron, his perfidy helped us all meet together and managed to bring our count's son and the most lovely lady Rose to Local. May his stratagems fail and permit us to drink together more often.
It was met with laughter by most of the assembly, especially the young Isnott, he seemed not to like the baron at all. Lady Takable was laughing too but it was forced, the baron had killed her father and even if it was to mock him she wasn't keen to drinking in his honour, she hated the man with passion. You will have to thread carefully after this. The young son of the count ate the bread at the end of the toast and everybody began to eat. The first service was, as per custom was simply a "mise en bouche" to open the meals with simply small pieces of smoked bacon, pieces of apple and hot bread. It was not meant to eat as much as it was meant for conversation, the real food will come later.
It was customary for your guests to try to liven the conversation, especially from your honoured guests but the young son of Count Careless seemed as silent as a carp while everyone talked around you. You looked at him and he seemed lost in his thoughts, then you looked at lady Takable wanting to talk to her but she looked at you and then at the count's son as to say "we need to win him over". You tried to to signify her that he seemed to want to be left alone, as sometimes men do, a thing that women are absolutely unable to understand and served her wine so she tried to start the conversation herself.
-Dear Isnott...
-Mmmmmh....
-What are you thinking about ? The last book that you read ?
-Yes, and congratulations for your future marriage.
He told it in a so upset tone that you understood that he was jealous of you, well, if didn't want to be he should have simply trained more with a sword in his youth instead of losing his precious time in libraries. Since he was clearly impolite and that his tone was insolent you wanted to answer, but when you opened your mouth lady Takable kicked you in the shin. Even if she was a frail woman it surprised you, and it hurt, especially with heels. You looked at her, furious, and she smiled in an adorable way while telling politely to Isnott.
-Thank you very much. I hope your father will help us.
He became red, you remembered that he has tried to ask for her hand and that his father refused. She could be terrible when she answered like this. He remained silent, only nodding while you looked at her and she looked at you. Her discussion seemed to not have any effect. She tried to whisper in your ear.
-Charles, he is upset and furious against me, try to say him something, maybe he will like you at least.
-I think that he is upset about my existence too.
