Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 172: Arc 4, Act I, - 17: A Cold Morning’s Breakfast
An old, or rather, the latest gramophone model on the market, played a classical tune filled with violins and cellos throughout the dining room, echoing through multiple entryways in and out of the kitchen and cellar.
’The dining room’s on the second floor...’ Jotou pouted as she peered around.
Chandeliers hung across the entire length of the long, long table flanked by cushioned seats of brownish-golds. The crown moulding upon the ceilings twisted and danced with gold inlays.
Octagonal tile patterns in yellow hues and murals on the ceilings and walls—some depicting noblemen on horses and a painting of five dogs playing poker.
The food was at the ready, the scent of chocolates, milk teas and coffee polluted the air. The sweet pastries and savoury rice cakes, flatbreads, various spicy spreads and spiced meats only overwhelmed the previous aroma.
The symphony of fresh breakfast smells floated Fumeko off her feet, her mouth salivating for a bite; or several bites. Waiters and waitress in brown and purple uniforms waltzed in and out of the room.
They would bow or curtsy when a guest walks by and as the six of them entered, another guest turned around and walked towards them.
A long face, adorned with a top hat and wearing a blackish-green suit; grey hair and crow’s feet around his hazel eyes as he adjusted his metallic green monocle.
Perhaps what truly made him taller than most in the room were the lengthy and wide moose-like antlers on either side of his top hat.
As if those already did not bring enough attention, perfectly cut emeralds had been pierced into them, glittering under the yellow glow of chandeliers.
"Good morning your majesty and Lord Artevik; and to you all as well," an aged voice, much like fine wine. Pale-bronze skin—he spoke unhurried and with a polite smile.
"Good morning Count Khalim," both Daiyu and Feyan synced on accident. A scowling glare was not worn on either of their faces.
And as such, Jotou relaxed a smidgen, "Good morning, I’m Jotou Howllett, the Thundering Blade of Kria." The other three followed, introducing themselves the same; Asobi, without her theatrics.
The count turned to the guests, "I am Count Jal Khalim, pleasure to make your acquaintances. I do not intend to take much of your time; I believe we are all a bit peckish, so shall we?"
"You don’t have to tell me twice," Fumeko strode forward.
"Are you prepared for today?" Count Khalim walked by Daiyu’s side.
"Extremely. All the meetings with the council has me ready for most things that’ll happen today,"
"Ah yes. Vicious remarks and suggestions, to passive-aggressive commentary should be trivial to you by now. However today, hundreds of officials will gather all at once instead of a handful."
"I believe my lady is more than capable at adeptly handling anything that gets out of hand. There will be no doubt fingers being pointed to her majesty when I go through the briefing.
She has had eight hours of rest, done her daily cardio exercises and prepared retorts for most accusations. And the Thundering Blade by her side has increased her emotional wellbeing. She is physically and mentally prepared."
"Feyan!" Daiyu exclaimed in a hush and a glare. Jotou giggled lightly behind her.
Feyan’s eyes widened, "Uh, my apologies princess, I am just, reporting on your fortitude. I have read the report thrice since it was delivered to the palace in the early morning and have prepared a proper briefing as well." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
The count chuckled, "Splendid, splendid. Then there should be no worries for today. Let us hope whatever information you hold dear Feyan, will not break into anarchy during the conference."
Daiyu walked all the way over to the largest seat at the end of the table, ushering Jotou and party along with her. Though, Count and Countess Keya at the same end brought no one any joy.
The waiters pulled back their seats as they sat down and pushed them back into the soft golden tablecloth which tickled their knees.
With Feyan to her right and Jotou to her left, Daiyu stared down the count and countess Feyan sat a chair over from. Fumeko gently shoved Hotaru to the other seat.
The redhead furrowed her brows, but reluctantly chose another seat not to make a fuss as Fumeko hopped into the chair next to Jotou; Asobi to Hotaru’s left, both having to face the couple.
Count Khalim sat several chairs over, opening up a newspaper as he took in the scent of his tea. The countess glanced to Jotou as their breakfast was being put onto their individual plates by the waiters as per each of their preferences.
"Thundering Blade, I do dearly apologize for the little commotion that I caused earlier," was it a fake smile or genuine...?
Jotou perked up, "Water under the bridge."
"Thank heavens for that," the countess sighed. "My offer still stands to teach this little elf some magic. My beloved and I would be delighted to have a chat with you as well in private."
"That would be great! But unfortunately, I’ll have to decline for now. Your impoliteness has, scared me a bit," Asobi smiled as she spoke.
Both Daiyu and Fumeko snorted and nearly lost it. Feyan hid his smile staring to the table whilst Hotaru pursed her lips completely with a hand to cover her mouth.
Jotou verbally chuckled, before glancing at the countess who had furrowed her brows, "Some other time then countess; same goes for any chat. There’s no real reason to be private with the company I keep."
"The matter," the count held his wife’s shoulder to calm her down, "-is a tad sensitive is all. We can be patient," those words were more so being relayed to the countess.
Countess Keya sat upright, "No matter, we have all the time in the world to make amends. I believe these guests are here to stay a while, are they not princess?"
"That they are," Daiyu carefully chose her utensils, "For now, why don’t we not talk while we dine? Save our voices for later; please, begin," as Daiyu began eating only then did the others begin.
Asobi simply picked up one of the many silverware to eat whilst Hotaru, scanned and scanned... Eventually pretending to know which utensil meant what, she began eating.
The waiter next to Fumeko was still picking food off the centre onto the brunette’s plate, "Will this be enough Ms?" he asked with his tongs.
"Hm..." Fumeko examined the mountain of appams on her plate topped with coconut milk and the coffee poured into her cup that exuded a light scent of chocolate, "For now," she dismissed with her nose held high.
The waiter bowed and left with a sigh. Jotou hid her mouth with the back of her hand, chewing on pastries of cinnamon, "What’s her deal? Why does she want to talk to me all of a sudden?" she whispered.
Daiyu glanced up, hiding her mouth in the same way whilst the couple were occupied with eating, "I don’t know. If you can ask her something, I can tell you whether it’s a lie or not."
Jotou nodded before finishing her food, "Countess, you wouldn’t happen to be mad at me, would you? I don’t suppose that chat is meaning something else?"
The countess tilted her head with a smirk, "Oh, not at all dear."
"True," Daiyu whispered, masking her face with her hand by acting like she was chewing.
"As my husband said, it’s a little sensitive that’s all. No need to jump to such conclusions. I know I can come off as rude sometimes."
"True."
Feyan noticed Daiyu, but focused on his meal, using his shoulders to cover her a little more. ’Now I’m just curious...’ "Well, then maybe we can have that chat sometime later today."
"Fantastic, I’m looking forward to it then."
"True."
"Didn’t need that one," Jotou whispered back. Fumeko eyes shifted, noticing the secret conversation whilst Hotaru’s ears flickered, faintly picking it up.
"Hm..." Asobi hummed with her mouthful till she swallowed, "Then... I’ll be happy to learn magic from you too." The countess closed her eyes in content.
Through the doors came the clacking of two more pairs of shoes, "Sorry to be late!" he announced to the room.
With dark skin and in a brownish suit he waltzed in. His black hair flecked with literal gold that was braided down his back; golden chains jangled all over his left pocket and to the right of his trousers.
Behind him walked in Arabella wearing silver-ish armour with snake-scale-like patterns across—a big pauldron on her left shoulder; the emblem of Cravolta all over and her hair tied up.
He walked in with swagger as he took the empty seat in between Feyan and the countess, "Started without me? Late on today of all days; my apologies princess," he said with a flamboyant smile.
"It’s fine Archduke Guuraj, I’m glad you could join us," Daiyu replied as the archduke rubbed his hands together eyeing the food.
A few waitresses were at the entrance, undressing the armour off the Ashen Whisper, letting her breath in her usual attire; a black t-shirt and her leather jacket.
She grabbed her scabbard and belt and slung it around her waist in one swift movement before letting her hair down as she walked in.
She took a sit next to Asobi as Asobi waved with her mouth full. Arabella gave a smile back whilst a waitress placed food on her plate.
"Always the anomaly. I hope that is not the attire you wish to wear to the conference," the countess remarked to Arabella.
She glared back in response, but simply picked up her utensils and began eating a healthy portion of everything served. "Ush," the archduke sounded, "Such a cold breakfast for a cold morning," he glanced up, only now acknowledging the other faces.
"How did your trip fare to the capital archduke?" Feyan finished his food before speaking.
"Oh, it fared well I’d say! The rain slowed down the horses but nothing too horrid. It was nice of the admiral to arrive to accompany me from Phoolkarana," the archduke bowed his head to Arabella.
Arabella nodded in response. "I was nearly mobbed at the entrance. Much of the council arriving here shortly has them in a vigour," every word from his mouth had a flair of its own.
"Speaking of famous individuals, is this, the wondrously fabled Thundering Blade?" he raised his chalice of coffee with a wide grin.
"You’d be right. Nice to meet you, I’m Jotou Howllett."
"Ha-ha! I’m Sharushan Vmir Guuraj, Archduke of the province of Cravolta. Might I say," his demeanour went serious, "commendable work; all my gratitude, for the issues in Hartamat."
Jotou could not help but grin in his presence, "Thank you. Though, I was kinda forced into it."
He let out a laugh, "Then my apologies as well. I’m sure Tresha would be thunderstruck that you helped."
"Tresha?" Jotou cocked a brow.
"Archduchess of the province of Galuvit, Treshalini Abioye," Feyan answered.
He took a sip of his coffee, "Ooo, delicious as always. Now, who are these faces? The party alongside the blade herself I presume?"
"Hotaru Kinoshita, pleasure; master level caster, adventurer and ex-lawyer."
"Prodigious!" he replied.
"Fumeko Namora," she gulped down her food, "Adventuring detective."
"Certainly the first I’ve heard of!"
Asobi beamed, brightening up the room, "I’m the Amazing Asobi! Magician Extraordinaire! And adventurer!"
"Ah, wonderful, wonderful. So many fresh and unique faces; thank you all." Everyone’s faces enlivened with every word he uttered, including Count Khalim; even the countess spouted a small smirk.
"An adventuring party," the archduke pondered, "Perhaps we’ll be able to provide them a more, exceptional, occupation. Adventurers help a lot in Cravolta, perhaps, instead a, royal party?
I’m throwing out ideas, what do you think your majesty?" he looked to Daiyu then glanced to Jotou with a wink and a palm under his chin, "I work directly under her, so she makes the calls, let’s see if we can work something out for you."
Daiyu chuckled, "I think honoured guests with access to the palace will do for now."
"Oh?" the archduke grinned, "Well, it seems you are all better off without my help," he glanced to the four of them. He then snapped his fingers, "Right, right, right. She is the one in a similar predicament to you, yes?"
Daiyu nodded covering her mouth. "Any friend of the princess is a friend of mine. Tragic what happened, but these things happen," he mourned. He chuckled, "Perhaps, not exactly this scenario, but you get what I mean."
Feyan wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, "We have an hour plus to spare before the conference at eleven hundred hours. Enough time to prepare a bit Jotou?"
"Yes, once I’m done," Jotou nodded.
"Take your time."
"What are all of you scheming then?" the archduke leaned forward as Feyan explained a little out of earshot of the countess.
He nodded and furrowed his brows before bellowing out a laugh, "Excellent! All the best wishes!" With that, the breakfast continued.
The aromas of spices never really left the air and their drinks never reached the bottom of their cups. The cold tension in the room warmed up more and more, soon into an ebullient start to what would be a stressful day of quarrels.
