19 Faux Pas (1/2)
”To think that my lands could produce such great honey…”
Taking a sip of the other cup that the servants thoughtfully prepared, I couldn't help but feel amazed. Maybe because of fully natural ingredients or maybe just how popular drink it was in the current place and time, but the liquor I was currently tasting was far better than anything I ever had the chance to try back in the future!
At first, its mellow and sweet taste overwhelming my tasting buds as it seemed to dissolve on top of my tongue. Letting this stream of past, liquid candy flow down my throat, it caressed its walls lightly, as if the innate properties of the honey remained in the liquor and formed a protective barrier on my throat. And only when it finally reached my stomach, did it kick me with its might!
Or I would say, if not for the fact that compared to pure vodka or even booze prevalent in the entire commonwealth, it was a relatively light drink! While uncomparable to the watery beer or tasty yet weak wine, I guessed it was about fifteen or more volts. But while my head remained clear even after I took a big sip, the pleasant warmth spreading through my entire body accompanied by the aftertaste of the various local herbs used to spice the drink made me contemplate the option of setting up my own brewery for the honey!
But that had to wait.
I didn't even get to test how good would the beer created with the help of my system be, not to speak about creating a stable production of it. With how drinkable honey was considered a luxurious item even though most of the wealthy landowners would attempt to create their own, I could never be able to use it as the leverage on the economy!
”Our ancestor really went out of his way to establish those hives… And I hope you will forgive me taking the honours of the first toast, but I think that the memory of the great hetman Tarnowski deserves to raise our cups first!”
While it pained my heart to share this awesome liquor with who was most likely to turn into my sworn enemy, I still got the servants to fill his cup with it. For now, we had to maintain the pretence of our brotherly or rather - class unity, since there wasn't even a single drop of blood that we shared.
Raising my cup in the response of Peter's words, I held it in the air for a few seconds before lowering it straight to my mouth and gulping it all down. While it was a waste to just pour such intricate drink in one go like it was common booze, some traditions of noble life had to be maintained, no matter if you drank with your dearest friends or most hated enemy!
”Ah, being able to maintain his memory and spread his legacy… There is no greater dream of mine. But let's talk business. I can't help but think that you wouldn't come all this way only to have a drink with me, would you, sir brother?”
If we went by the historical route, this split would be only increased by the alliance of my ancestor with one of the ruthernian princes, who would soon join the ranks of new crimson nobles, whose wealth would soon outshine not only what my ancestor built, but also the wealth of entire nations on the western part of the continent!
I didn't know how far just my transmigration alone changed the fate of the Tarnowski's legacy, but at least this dear city that would bear witness to my birth measly five hundred years later wasn't ransacked barely a few years after the great hetman's death!
”Sure thing, time is precious for everyone, especially with how we need to show how usefull we are to our new king!”