3.2

Jewel was not petty. But she took great delight in High King Mathias forbidding the use of Saffron in any meal he shared with the Countess of Visnove.

And enjoyed the tense looks and quiet murmuring questions it had brought during meal time.

Instead of Saffron Sows and Piglets glazed yellow-red in the spice and honey, they were feasting upon pork turned near black from an encrusting in pepper and other herbs?

That the fat, salt and honey had been joined with other spices from both the Countess’ stores and the High King’s own luggage?

That there was also a particularly peasant-seeming stew with the distinct mix and flavor of an imitation of Jewel’s favorite innkeeper’s family recipe?

That the breads were not quite so sweet but just as rich and hearty as was more to Jewel’s own preference?

Served with Rochford reserves of sheep butter and cheeses?

Jewel was not Petty but she reveled in the whispers. Proof that more than just the Wyrm was noticing the statement being made of the meal.

It did not bring more than a stiffness to the Countess’ smiles so far, though. Where before the beastly woman relished and flashed her perfect white teeth at every opportunity, now her lips were merely a tight smile.

But the ever so slight snub and the blessed avoidance of having to muscle every bite of a meal into her protesting stomach was a boon on Jewel’s mood!

And she had this wonderful moment all thanks to the High King Mathias The Second of House Stein.

Her Liege’s liege.

The man she had been told the hateful woman was protecting Jewel and her family from was now so obviously showing his true honor. A sharp contrast to the manipulative woman that had made Jewel her Heir and betrothed her own eldest son off with all the concern of a discarded hae-penny.

And it was all accomplished with an ultimatum on the contents of a welcoming feast!

Jewel was not petty but it was just so nice to be rid of the hated spice!

If it was not for little Imre she thought Mathias probably would have sold his entire supply for the trip at the first opportunity.

(Likely at a ruinous loss for it to be affordable to the freemen that hosted them for the trip between Rochford and Kaeketeh.)

But given the preciousness of it to György’s son now, they had kept the stores on hand, though mostly stowed and tightly sealed (though Jewel still easily picked out its packaging by nose alone).

She could get used to black pepper-crusted pork!

After the pleasantries and the food had settled, the King signaled for attention and as one all descended to silence from the murmuring gossip of the feast.

“My Vassal, Countess Bathory, as always your hospitality and accommodations are exemplary.”

Jewel’s Liege nodded to him and raised that far too clear glass chalice.

One which met its brother in a heavenly chime in the hands of the High King, his already half-drained of the rich red wine imported from the very ancestral lands of Cantor itself.

The Countess Bathory regained some of her usual predatory and toothsome grin.

“Oh, I make do with what I can with the wealth of Viznove. I can assure you they would be even finer, my liege, if the matter of your debts to me were properly settled. But I assume we are not yet going to resolve such accounts?”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Jewel did not even know why she was surprised.

Of course the Countess would be owed a debt by the high king. Undoubtedly a ruinous one by the brittleness that reached his own smile or the ways his eyes shifted and hands clenched.

Jewel wondered how much of that debt had been offered out of money paid from Rochford because her Father was holding back his military service while seeing to her upbringing.

Mathias, for his part, found his voice without barely a tremor despite the discomfort Jewel could see the Countess had squeezed out of him.

“As a matter of fact, the scheduled payments will be renewed upon my return to the capital. And increased to cover their too long absence, The debt should be fully settled within the next three years.”

The Countess smiled widely at that, Once more returning to her usual form. Although Jewel hoped she saw that there was perhaps a bit less delight in that woman’s eyes then when she was ‘genuinely’ pleased.

King Mathias continued.

“My tour is of course one to ratify and restore the oaths of fealty from my Vassals, To reaffirm my responsibilities as your liege and here in particular to acknowledge the Countess Bathory and her choice of heir.”

There was a lot of stressing on that word. He said it with a strain that undercut the tone.

Jewel smelled some fear on him even with his protection as liege and high king over Countess Bathory, even as a welcomed guest into the house of his vassal, he still smelled of fear.

But there was also a fury, and some triumph as well.

The Countess nodded along, although again was her smile strained? Did it even touch her eyes? There was not a tooth free to shine.

“It is an honor for you to support my declaration. My liege”

A declaration made nearly five years ago. Jewel idly watched her family and the other guests’ reactions. Poor Marta was incredibly tense, she had been through the entire meal. The stink of old fear rekindled to a near inferno was seeping like morning fog off of the young woman.

Jewel hardly ever found her not subtly grasping an arm or elbow of her husband and was never far from him since they arrived in the city.

She had not learned exactly what György’s daughter had suffered during her stay in the Countess’ possession. But what she had heard around the matter proved that the marks of it still lingered upon her.

The High King nodded to Elizabeth’s pointed response.

“I also want to personally offer congratulations and a sworn promise that I will be attending the wedding of your son as well, my Countess Bathory. I expect it will be a truly grand affair.”

Jewel did not consider herself petty, but she was going to treasure the absolutely furious grin that the woman was practically having to drag out of her face like the very touch of it burned her skin.

“Oh- Certainly my liege. It definitely will be an Event to Remember.”

The Wyrm was not certain precisely what was going on, but the thought that it was going to make the horrible woman suffer somehow was evident.

Although she paused in her inner revelry when she noticed the absolute stricken looks her Parents had.

What was frightening them so much about Jewel’s wedding?