Chapter 58: The New Big Cheese
Millie nodded and said. "If I make the food weak I can probably make enough for 100 people, but I'll still need a bigger kitchen." Lake thought that was enough but just to make sure he said. "We can serve fake food to the people from the guild, and just tell them to pretend it's Millie's. None of the king's people should notice anything while eating Millie's food."
This freed up more of the good stuff for whoever the king brought with him. "Good idea, I was still thinking the amount was too low. Millie I'll get one of the abandoned kitchens back up and running for you to use. It will be big enough considering it used to feed thousands everyday when the Mage guild still existed." The source of this content is N0veII_bIn
Lake could tell that was the end of the conversation, so he said. "Millie get your servants to serve dessert. I'll get the people in the hallway." Lake stood up and walked to the door. He really just wanted to see what the situation in the hallway was like. Opening the door, Lake saw they were standing in silence. Solomon was looking at the ground but in the direction of Joy's boots.
This was enough for Lake to think he was right, and Solomon was attracted to Joy. Which meant Lake was going to have to do something he was hoping to avoid at the end of the meal. Lake's mood dropped Solomon was more trouble than he was worth. If Lake thought he could get away with it he would kick him off one of the balconies.
"You three can come back in now, we're done." Lake stepped to the side and let the two of them back in and just like Lake thought Joy waited to be last. Before she could go back in, Lake closed the door and said. "I need you to play along with what I say at the end of the meal." Lake didn't order her because this was more of a personal request and he knew she would comply.
With that done Lake and Joy walked back into the room. Lake could see his plan to make Solomon lose interest in Joy had already started. A few people thought Lake closing the door so he could talk to Joy was weird. Lake sat down to see the servants had already cut what seemed to be cake and laid it in front of everyone.
"Not really, I tried a few times because I couldn't get the flavor to be something I thought people would like but it was all edible. In my opinion the only way you can fail with food is by making something toxic, and that's always possible when you age or ferment something." Lake agreed with this, but he could tell what Millie had said made people wonder what they were eating.
At this point Nia closed her eyes and put it in her mouth. Lake could see her lips quivering, but she kept it inside. This was funny in its own way but it was a very muted reaction. "So Millie, what kind of milk did you use to make it?" Lake dropped the news like it was normal because he wanted to see who would react first.
Lucas didn't show any reaction at all. Lake guessed his hard life had toughened him up to bad news. Joy just silently put her helmet back on. Lake could tell she was distressed but didn't want to embarrass herself in front of everyone. Solomon on the other hand reacted exactly how Lake wanted. "Bla!"
Both Lake and Nia started to laugh at Solomon's tiny barf. Him thinking milk was gross and only for babies had made him spit up like one. "Solomon what have you done?" Lake made it a big deal because it was the meanest thing he could think to do, and this would increase the amount of embarrassment Solomon would be in. This would make him feel like he had blown it with Joy and Millie could slide right in.
If he was right she should be able to comfort Solomon about this, and about the next thing Lake was gonna do. "Joy, I'm ready to go, are you coming over?" This was a devastating blow to Solomon not only did he barf in front of her, Joy was dating Lake, or at least that was what he would think.
Lake was giving Millie a chance to make a move on Solomon. This would probably upset Solomon enough that Millie would notice, and try to comfort him which might lead to them being alone together or something. With Solomon's broken heart Millie should be able to get something to happen. Lake didn't have too much hope in her pulling it off because she would be too nervous, but he had tried and that was all he could do.
Joy still had her helmet on but he could tell she really hadn't been expecting him to proposition her like this, and in front of all these people. If he hadn't told her to play along she would have probably smacked him, but instead she said. "Yeah let's go, I'm getting tired anyway." It was still kind of early to go to bed, but Joy was a guard which meant she did a lot of physical activity. This might result in her being tired this early, but looking around at peoples faces, Lake doubted anyone at the table was thinking they were about to go to bed for sleep though.
"Ok we'll see you all at tomorrow's lunch." Him and Joy walked out the door after all the goodbys were uttered. Lake took one more look at Solomon on the way out and confirmed he was devastated. Once the door was closed Joy smacked his shoulder. "What the hell, Lake? What are you trying to do to my career?"
Lake thought there was no way that hadn't been good for her career but she would probably think that was insulting so he said. "I'll explain once we get to my room."