#153. Wind (3)
Pavel restrained his emotions and spoke quickly, wanting to get that woman out of his sight as soon as possible.
“She helped uncover the identity of the criminal Gregory and assisted in his execution. She will remain in the castle as a guest for a while.”
Once the introduction was over, Naina smiled shyly, waving her hand, in stark contrast to Pavel’s expressionless face.
It was completely different from the arrogant attitude she had shown earlier in front of Sasha.
“Nice to meet you all. I look forward to your guidance.”
As Naina finished her greeting, the knights clapped, some whistling and laughing, cheering her on.
‘Have they become that close already?’
Sasha was puzzled. They hadn’t spent much time together, yet Naina had managed to build such rapport.
‘It must have been difficult for someone with that personality to get along with people.’
Sasha quietly observed Naina, covering part of her face with a glass.
Looking down at the crowd from the stage with a satisfied expression, Naina’s eyes seemed to glint like a snake sizing up its prey.
‘Or is it just me who sees it that way?’
Perhaps Naina only showed her true nature in front of Sasha—or maybe even that was a false personality meant to deceive her.
Sasha’s head spun with thoughts.
But when Naina glanced her way, Sasha smiled faintly, pretending to know nothing.
After the awards, the tables were rearranged, but people didn’t disperse. The evening banquet was next.
Since all who were staying in Bellicorde Castle were attending, the wide hall had long tables set up to accommodate everyone.
“Please, take your seats.”
When Pavel sat, everyone followed suit.
At the head table, Sasha sat close to Pavel, with the honored guest Naina beside her.
Opposite Sasha sat Igor, the highest-ranking knight, with remaining seats filled according to rank.
“Everyone, well done. It’s thanks to you all that we returned safely after the campaign. I offer my gratitude once again.”
Pavel raised his glass, and the people in the hall raised theirs in unison.
With his words concluded, the banquet officially began.
It was a relaxed meal, with conversations at each table.
Even at the head table, casual chatter accompanied the meal, though one person stood out.
“Hmph. You two are still very close. I wonder if I do the same with my wife, would she be happy?”
Igor laughed heartily, making a joke.
While everyone else ate on their own, Pavel focused solely on Sasha, drawing attention.
He made sure every bite went into her mouth properly, and any dish she liked, he brought it to her plate, piling them high.
Sasha, accustomed to this kind of attention, paused, surprised by the sudden focus on her.
Realizing she was being watched so intently, she felt slightly embarrassed.
Smiling awkwardly, she whispered softly:
“I’m fine, so you should eat some too.”
Then she brought some of his favorite food to Pavel.
Pavel, delighted, thanked her and ate what she offered.
But soon, his gaze returned to her.
Whether conscious or unconscious, he couldn’t seem to stop himself.
‘This can’t continue.’
Sasha couldn’t let Pavel treat her like a mother bird feeding her chick.
Even now, the attention they drew was significant; any more and rumors might start.
Sasha reached under the table to stop him.
Close enough, her hand could easily touch Pavel’s.
But what her fingers touched was soft and bulky—not the hand she expected.
‘Ah, it’s not his hand—it’s his thigh?’
Determined to reach his hand, she traced upward from below.
But his reaction was odd. From the moment her hand touched him, Pavel tensed, flinching with every movement.
‘Why is he like this?’
Before she could ponder more, Pavel grabbed her hand.
‘Ah!’
His gloved hand held hers firmly yet gently, stopping her from moving.
Blinking in surprise, Sasha looked at him, and Pavel frowned.
“Why are you doing that?”
For a moment, he seemed to forget they were in public, asking quickly, his voice restrained.
“Well… it’s just that—”
Sasha hesitated, unsure if now was the right moment to explain.
Impatient, Pavel removed his glove and extended his bare hand toward her.
A silent message: do as you wish, when you wish.
Seeing that he wasn’t pressing or demanding, Sasha studied him carefully; his expression didn’t suggest pain or sudden trouble.
Satisfied, she composed herself and took his hand.
[Pavel. Shouldn’t we head down? Everyone seems to be mingling together.]
Sasha gestured toward the hall below.
Igor and the other knights at the same table had already gone down to mingle with the rank-and-file knights.
On the stage, only Pavel remained beside Sasha.
Pavel, hearing her suggestion, paused.
His gaze lingered on the table; it seemed he was concerned that leaving it would feel empty without her.
[I’m fine. Don’t worry, go down.]
Only after Sasha insisted did Pavel, reluctant, put down his utensils.
He intertwined his fingers with hers, then released them, standing up.
“…Call me immediately if there’s a problem.”
After Pavel left, Sasha set her utensils down and wiped her mouth.
Previously busy speaking only with Pavel, now alone, she could calmly observe the surroundings.
As the host, she needed to ensure no one was left out or struggling to eat.
Even if this wasn’t an ordinary banquet, Sasha couldn’t simply abandon her duties as hostess.
Scanning the hall, her eyes fell on Naina, looking rather displeased.
Watching her, Sasha noticed that Naina wasn’t eating properly, merely messing with the food.
“Naina, does the meal not suit your taste?”
Gently asking, Sasha prompted Naina to lower her fork.
“Yes… well…”
Specifically, it was all the dishes piled in front of Sasha.
Because Pavel had continually brought every dish to Sasha’s plate, the attention skewed almost entirely toward her.
Feeling embarrassed, Sasha bit a soft piece of food and tried to maintain her composure.
She then instructed a servant to fill the empty plates in front of Naina.
Yet Naina immediately refused.
“No, that’s not necessary. I don’t eat much to begin with.”
Flipping the fork on her plate, she continued:
“And the food here doesn’t suit my taste. Especially this, and also this and that.”
She pointed to several dishes on the table.
“I don’t know what’s in them… but the flavors are cheap.”
All the dishes Naina singled out contained carto.
“The ingredients don’t seem high-quality. Should a grand ducal castle really serve food like this?”
Her innocent expression belied the challenge in her tone.
“Whoever chose these dishes clearly needs the chef replaced. Serving low-quality ingredients reflects poorly on the hostess.”
Was Naina aware that Sasha had sourced the carto, or was she genuinely ignorant?
There was no need to dwell.
The intent in Naina’s fiery, challenging gaze was clear.
“Is that so?”
Despite Naina’s blatant provocation, Sasha remained calm, her expression unchanged.
“It’s unfortunate that the food doesn’t suit your taste, but that’s no reason to replace the chef.”
Sasha spoke firmly and calmly.
“All of our castle’s chefs are highly skilled. The ingredients used are not inferior. And…”
“….”
“Even if they were, it wouldn’t diminish the prestige of our house.”
Sasha met Naina’s eyes directly.
“Thank you for your concern, but I’d prefer not to discuss this further. I apologize that the food doesn’t fully satisfy you, but the kitchen is the domain of the hostess.”
Her tone, like teaching proper manners to an ignorant child, pricked Naina’s pride.
Sasha, unable to hide the slight smile at Naina’s ever-changing expression, finished her statement.
“However, since it seems the carto isn’t to your taste, I’ll instruct the kitchen to pay closer attention next time.”
