The attendants of the two men were shown to another room, while Robert and the Earl of Northampton, along with a small retinue, proceeded to the formal great hall.

A long table, the high table, was set against the northern wall. Two more long tables were placed perpendicular to it on the left and right.

Geoffrey offered the seat of honor to Robert and took the seat to Robert’s right. His young steward stood by his side. The Earl of Northampton, however, was seated at one of the other long tables, not the high table. This was a clear slight, and the Earl’s brow had been furrowed ever since he sat down.

Eric stood behind Robert, with four guards positioned behind him.

A moment later, servants entered to spread cloths over the long tables. They then laid out small napkins for the guests, setting them with cutlery—a knife and a spoon. Before each person, they placed a metal or wooden goblet or a dining bowl, along with brass ewers, large wine pitchers, salt cellars, and dishes for condiments.

Another group of servants followed, each carrying a basin of chamomile-infused water for the guests to wash their hands.

Shortly after, servants began bringing out the food. The main courses were roasted poultry, beef, mutton, and even bear meat. Nearly every dish was seasoned with pepper and cloves—a truly extravagant spread.

Just as Robert and the others were preparing to dine, a maid accidentally bumped into the corner of the high table. As fate would have it, the wine she was carrying spilled all over Geoffrey. Enraged, Geoffrey immediately slapped the maid, who burst into tears and begged for forgiveness.

However, she spoke in English, which Geoffrey did not understand at all.

"Get out."

With Robert present, Geoffrey didn’t press the matter further.

"The English are so clumsy and useless. They can’t even handle a simple task. Their etiquette is so primitive it’s practically vulgar."

The Earl of Northampton scowled and was about to slam his hand on the table, but Robert spoke before he could.

"Everyone makes mistakes, be they Norman or English." Robert stood and handed a napkin to the crying maid.

"Only a truly vulgar man would extrapolate one person’s accidental slip-up to an entire people. That way, he can absolve himself of any blame," the Earl of Northampton added in support.

"My vulgarity is reserved for uninvited guests, my esteemed Earl of Northampton. I don’t recall inviting you. You came of your own accord," Geoffrey said, looking at him with a slight smirk.

"I am here to negotiate the matter of tariffs between Northampton and Essex! I have the right to discuss this with you, and you have no grounds to refuse. That would be true even if we stood before His Majesty the King himself!" the Earl of Northampton retorted.

"And I have the right to refuse your request. I will never agree to lower the tariffs. In fact, I’m raising them next year. Go back to Northampton and play in the mud. Or better yet, crawl back to your Northumbria, which the King has already burned to the ground."

"With your ridiculous ways, I wonder how long you can keep up this bravado. My friend, Robert, this insatiably greedy Earl demands a forty percent tax on all goods passing through his domain! Is there a more absurd tax in all of England?" the Earl of Northampton said, turning to Robert.

"My father decreed that tariffs between the domains of Earls and Barons must not exceed thirty percent. Geoffrey, you have unquestionably overstepped that limit."

Robert crossed his arms. Geoffrey’s aggressive attitude displeased him, not to mention how he had repeatedly interrupted him outside earlier.

"My honorable Prince Robert, believe me when I say that no one understands the rules set by the great Conqueror—the Lord of us Normans, the most revered Monarch in all of Europe—better than I. He decreed that Normans shall abide by Norman law, and the English shall abide by English law.

Clearly, our esteemed Earl of Northampton here must abide by the laws that apply only to the English. Now, Northampton, consider this meal an act of charity on my part. Finish up and hurry home. Go play in your mud."

Then, Geoffrey rose to his feet and gave Robert another formal bow.

"My esteemed Prince Robert, your arrival brings me immense joy. However, your father, the King, summoned me a few days ago, and I must depart this very afternoon. As his loyal servant, I am obligated to reach London at the appointed time.

This hasty banquet may have been a disappointment, but I assure you, I will host a feast truly worthy of your station next time. I hope you will grace my humble castle with your presence once more."

Without waiting for Robert’s response, Geoffrey turned and moved to leave quickly.

However, Eric stepped in front of him at that exact moment, blocking his path.

"My honorable Lord Earl of Essex," Eric began, "we are delighted by your gracious hospitality, especially given the short notice. Our merciful and generous Lord, Duke of Normandy Robert, hereby invites his vassal, the Earl of Essex—that is to say, you—to accompany him to Normandy, starting now.

Surely a loyal Earl of Essex would not refuse such a reasonable request."

Eric clapped a hand on Geoffrey’s shoulder. The immense force made Geoffrey grimace in pain, forcing him to his knees.

"You’re asking for—"

But before he could get the word "death" out, a blade was pressed against his neck, forcing him to swallow the rest of his sentence.

In response, a nearby guard placed the head of his long-handled axe on Eric’s shoulder.

The sudden turn of events startled the Earl of Northampton, but he wasn’t overly shocked. After all, Robert had promised to help him settle the score.

"Let’s talk this over, let’s talk this over."

Geoffrey hastily pleaded, though he didn’t seem to be panicking at all.

"Prince Robert, there’s no need for this. Should you ascend to the throne of England, I would willingly pledge my fealty to you, offering my loyalty without reservation. I... I am only trying to protect my position. I beg you, don’t make this difficult for me.

I am willing to offer you all the provisions my castle can spare. You can leave peacefully, and I can act as if none of this ever happened. Otherwise..."

But before he could finish his sentence, an excruciating pain bloomed in his neck as blood sprayed forth.

He clutched his throat, staring at Eric in disbelief. He convulsed twice, then went still.

It wasn’t just the Earl of Northampton; even Robert was stunned.

Eric hadn’t told him this was going to happen.

One of Geoffrey’s guards behind Eric immediately raised his axe to strike at Eric’s neck. But before the weapon could fall, the long-handled axe was suddenly ripped from the guard’s grasp. In the next instant, Eric was holding it, pressing the blade against that same guard’s throat.

The other guards swarmed forward, surrounding Eric.

"Think carefully," Eric said. "Are you going to kill me? Or are you going to escort Prince Robert and the Earl of Northampton to London and ask the King to pass judgment?

Can you even manage that? Surely you don’t think Prince Robert and the Earl of Northampton came to this castle with just a dozen men, do you?

Even if you succeed in dragging us to London, what do you, his household knights, stand to gain? Do you really think the King will execute his own son? At best, I’ll be executed for the crime, but what then?

What happens to an Earl’s Domain with no male heir? Where does it go? Does the King truly need this many household knights?

Think about the clothes you wore before you served him, and the clothes you wear now. You can’t seriously believe that the Earl of Essex actually needed you when he was alive, can you?"