The atmosphere within the grand banquet hall softened as jade goblets were repeatedly filled with top-tier spiritual wine. Dishes prepared with the meat of sacred beasts and thousand-year cultivated herbs were served one after another, releasing aromas that heightened the mana flow of everyone present.
Ethan picked up a skewer of roasted flame-beast meat and took a bite without a shred of refined etiquette, chewing with relish.
"You have to try this, Isabella," Ethan said, offering her a piece on the tip of his utensil. "It tastes way better than it looks."
Isabella eyed the meat with a bit of diplomatic hesitation, but ultimately accepted the bite. After savoring it for a moment, her eyes lit up.
"Not bad..." the princess admitted, dabbing the corner of her lips with a silk napkin. "Though you shouldn't eat with such shamelessness right in front of the Empire's dukes and ministers."
