Anyway, I paid my respects to everyone worth visiting, and by then I'd handed out nine pepper pouches in all. Michael, the crown prince, the grand duke, my father-in-law, Margareta, Ulrich, the three western princes, and so on.
But it seems word got around that I was handing out pepper.
"It's such a shame you're leaving so soon, Baron."
"If you ever come east again, I'll serve you with my whole heart."
"Haha, you've tried Swabian cuisine before, yes? It pairs best with pepper!"
Suddenly nobles were coming to see me off before my departure for Breisburg, trading pleasantries and farewells. They were counting their chickens before the eggs had hatched.
Naturally, I gave no pepper to that lot. I intended to hand these pouches out strategically, only to people who could be of use to me. Honestly, nobles have no shame at all.
"Thank you for seeing me off, Your Highness."
"Between the two of us, Baron, this much is only natural. Give Lily my regards."
