Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The formal dinner was uncomfortable from the very start.

Lord Raymond, gourmet food is also definitely another source of enjoyment. What do you think of this splendid wine from the abbey?

Isella said this as she regarded the glistening pink foie gras and the beautiful color of the ros wine.

Reverend Dullan must know better than I do about that.

Raymond passed her off smoothly.

Im not sure.

While holding a glass of wine, Dullan barely swallowed down a sip and answered.

This almost felt like torture for Dullan. Even before a few words were exchanged, he felt so intimidated that his shoulders cowered down.

As Dullan continued to stammer, Raymonds expression became strange. At that, Raymond no longer passed off the conversation towards Dullan because Dullans stutter was so bad today that everyone listening to him speak felt uncomfortable.

A brief silence commenced, but the fief lord broke this silence and spoke to Carynne.

Carynne, are you doing alright with your injury?

Yes. Thank you for asking, Father. It isnt much of a wound.

Its all thanks to Sir Raymond.

Raymond responded, his eyes curved.

Even so, I am ashamed that I couldnt stop it on time, Your Lordship.

I express my deep gratitude, Sir Knight.

Shining like a blooming violet, Carynnes eyes also smiled as she looked at Raymond, and he smiled back at her. Seeing this, Isella gritted her teeth and spoke up.

So, what do you think, Reverend Dullan?

Wh, at do you mean?

Ooh, that confidence. That shamelessness.

As Carynne admired Isellas willfulness once more, she asked for a glass of water instead of an aperitif.

Can they not shut up so that the next course could be served? Why did todays meal have to be three hours long. It was a wonder how Isella was wearing those high heels under the dinner table and enduring it all rather than picking up those shoes and using them to hit something.

Apart from that, while having a taste of Verdics ambition, perhaps Isella was glum after noticing Raymonds favor. And during all this, Carynne couldnt even drink any liquor.

Carynne chewed on a bite of goose liver and waited for the conversation to move on. If anything, the whiff of mushroom on the sauce was quite good.

I was curious about your opinion on gourmet food and what relation it has to vices.

Instead of Dullan, the fief lord lowered his knife and answered.

Not being able to control oneself is a sin, however its difficult to justify gourmet food in itself as one. Young Miss Evans, if thats how you put it, do you suppose that we commit this sin every day?

Listening to the lords response, who spoke instead of Dullan, Isella paused for a moment, but she soon replied.

Isnt the excess of gourmet food in itself a sin? Im merely curious. Gourmet food gives us great pleasure, but isnt moderation necessary?

Then the matter lies in what could be considered as an excess. It sounds like youre saying that the meal were having is excessive, but on what grounds do you say this?

Carynne let out a small sigh and set down her utensils.

Seeing her father be subjected to shame like this, Carynne became upset.

She looked at Isella and told her.

I didnt know that you consider self-restraint to be a virtue.

With a slightly appalled expression as she stared at Isellas accessories, Carynne said so. At this, Isella smiled and hit Carynnes arm.

Oh my, Carryne, dont be like that. Im not saying that you should live like priests, for example, or to restrain yourself unconditionally. Moderate spending and adherence to culture is also necessary. My dresses and accessories could never be considered excessive. Dont you think so, Lord Raymond?

Miss Isella. My older brother hasnt taught me much, but Ive learned one thing for surenot to interfere with a womans spending.

Isella laughed loudly.

Of course, if youre the husband, you have the right to interfere.

And soon stopped laughing.

I dont blame you, Miss Evans. Mister Verdic Evans is a generous gentleman to his family.

Yes.

Of course, Sir Raymond. Im always generous to my family.

Verdic said this with his arms exaggeratedly open, tacitly implying that once Raymond became part of his family, this much was nothing.

Even so, Im glad.

Carynne interjected.

I understand where youre coming from right now, Miss Isella. Its probably because our households meal is much too great for you to behold that youve said that. Im glad that youre enjoying it.

Isella lifted a glass of water. Her pupils were shaking with a hint of anger.

Clink.

Isella?

Borwen.

Ah, I apo I apologize, gosh.

Isella dropped her glass of water. She was given another full cup once more, and after she picked this up, she turned to Carynne.

Im not saying that you must restrain yourself unconditionally. I mentioned it already, but moderate spending is still necessary. Its just.. Its just that Im worried that this meal could be considered a sin because its just so good Um, Lord Raymond, what do you think?

Her bravado suddenly dwindled. Raymond replied smoothly, as expected.

Im enjoying myself, truly. Because of the nature of my work, all kinds of food feel like a luxury to me. After quivering in between boulders for two days while thinking that bullets would come flying at me, Im grateful enough for everything.

Carynne felt a piercing gaze stabbing at her. She looked at Isella. Her pupils were shaking.

Isella lifted her glass and took a sip.

Water inside a glass should be gulped down, after all.

t/n: Raymond is generally addressed as or Sir due to him being a knight, but hes sometimes addressed as , which roughly translates to Lord, depending on whos speaking to him.