kingdom of nations

Chapter 242 Trivial Matters (Part 2)

“Someone just gave me a gift,” Portia said.

"What is it?" Cesar asked, though he didn't seem to care much.

Since arriving at Holy Cross Castle, he had become accustomed to such things. Here, a word or action, or even a glance, from a superior could determine the fate of the lowly. Therefore, apart from the big shots at the top of the pyramid, both knights and merchants would try their best to gain the favor of the ruler.

This is neither flattery nor bribery; it's simply routine.

While those in positions of power should not appear overly greedy, if those of lower status remain indifferent, they will be perceived as having lost their reverence for status and power—people might even think they are insane for refusing to abide by this law, which, though not explicitly promulgated, is extremely strict and applies to everyone.

Merchants were undoubtedly much more eager than knights. Knights might simply keep the oaths they swore (just like the honest knight who swore an oath to the king and still offered his best spoils to the king after being exiled), but merchants sought much more—passes, charters, franchises… and even favor in court—once they had a legal dispute with another person over something, they could only rely on bishops and lords.

When Portia opened the box and took out the heavy wreath, even Dandolo, who was usually unsmiling, changed his expression slightly. Cesar took the wreath, weighed it in his hand, and then handed it back to Dandolo.

Dandolo held it up in his hand. "It's solid," he said. "The gem is of good quality."

Although the father-in-law and son-in-law did not speak, they completed a tacit exchange in silence.

“What does he want?” Cesar asked again.

“He wants the distribution rights for rock sugar,” Portia said.

Not to mention the goldsmith's labor costs, the gold used in the crown itself was enough for César to mint three hundred new gold coins. With the rubies on it, its price was roughly equivalent to that of the unfortunate Count Étienne.

The agency right was not a franchise. In other words, he only asked for permission to wholesale rock sugar from César's workshop and sell it elsewhere.

Rock sugar is certainly a valuable commodity, just like silk. Besides the huge profits, if you have rock sugar, it means you can easily enter every castle and palace. If you encounter difficulties, those high-ranking figures will be willing to listen to your pleas for the sake of rock sugar.

"But these are still not enough to warrant a crown worthy of being presented to the Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Is your workshop now able to produce in large quantities?"

"Dandolo asked."

"Not yet," Cesar replied. Since he intended to give the method of making rock candy as a reward to those loyal people, he would not build a large number of workshops. Currently, the production of rock candy is done by the families or squires of those knights, and it is intentionally divided into several separate steps. These people also know that these will eventually become their property, so they can be cautious and discreet.

Nowadays, these rock candies are mostly used for interpersonal exchanges and as rewards for knights.

The knights are given a piece of rock candy as a daily perk.

Some knights, upon receiving the rock candy, would not eat it immediately, but would only let their own tongues and stomachs enjoy it. This was especially true for knights with families. They might bring the rock candy to their wives and children, or they might save it up, sell it, and then entrust someone to transfer the money back to their family members thousands of miles away.

Cesar did not inflate the price of rock sugar to an exorbitant level like tulip bulbs or glass mirrors in later generations. This was to avoid incurring the wrath of those nobles when he spread the method of making rock sugar in the future and the mass production of various workshops pushed rock sugar from its peak to the abyss.

Cesar was a knight, a lord, not a merchant. While he could certainly gain considerable profits in the short term, were all those willing to exchange gold for these rock candies fools? When they discovered they had been deceived, whether intentionally or unintentionally, they would be furious, which would greatly damage Cesar's reputation.

Cesar was never greedy, especially not of the wealth he was certain he would hand over.

It was precisely because Portia knew this that she was able to so keenly perceive the malice hidden beneath this superficiality.

“Leave this to me,” Dandolo said. After all, he was a businessman—and who knows a businessman better than a businessman?

This was certainly presumptuous, but Cesar granted Dandolo's request. It wasn't just about someone caught up in a conspiracy trying to clear their name, but also about a grandfather's love for his granddaughter.

However, the three people present roughly guessed that this matter was probably related to the Isaacs who had been causing trouble in recent days.

César's rejection of the tax farming system effectively cut off their main thoroughfares, even though those roads led either to prisons or gallows, they were unwilling to give them up.

They may not be sure how much discontent and conflict this golden crown will cause, but as long as there is a gap, they will definitely be able to squeeze in.

Portia sighed with relief. After all, she was a new bride. Although she could feel Cesar's respect for her, she also knew that a few months of getting along was not enough to build enough trust.

She was very worried. What should she do if Cesar suspected that she had given some hints or had any intentions that led to this trouble?
Fortunately, neither of the two men here were the kind of idiots who would presume to accuse their loved ones.

But after a moment's thought, she remembered something else. "Can I go to my sister?" she asked Cesar. "I'm worried... that someone might whisper something in her ear too."

Portia's considerations were not superfluous; Cesar and Dandolo were both men who had experienced countless intrigues. They certainly knew that if they encountered a cunning enemy, he would not use just one or a single method.

If Natia finds that she is not getting the desired results from Portia, it's hard to say whether someone might approach her and try to sow discord between her and Portia.

Moreover, this matter is difficult to explain. Portia did indeed accept the gift from the merchant's wife, and if she were to say that Portia intended to seize Natia's monopoly on rock candy, even if Portia denied it, as long as Natia took it to heart, this knot would remain in their hearts, causing an irreparable rift in their relationship.

Cesar glanced at the water clock in the corner of the room: "Perfect timing, it's time for evening prayers. Why don't we go to the Olivet Court (Natia's residence) for dinner?"

The light outside had already dimmed. Although it wasn't yet time to light torches and candles, the wind blowing in was already chilling enough to make exposed skin feel distinctly cold.

They are currently residing in the Rose Court, where Cesar and Portia live together. For reasons unknown, Natia has arranged her room in the most secluded corner of the governor's palace.

Fortunately, this place has the most spacious courtyard in the entire building, where tall olive trees grow and ivy climbs on their lush green stems.

However, in January, the olive trees may still remain green, while the ivy will only have dark black branches, which, against the white wall, look like deep lines cursed by time.

Some suggested removing the ivy or pruning away the dead branches and old leaves, but Natia refused.

Natia was not surprised when she heard from her servants that Cesar, Dandolo, and Portia were all coming to her.

César rarely ate alone. At Holyrood Castle, he dined with Baldwin; on his mission to Apollo, he dined with the knights; and in Bethlehem, he dined with Bishop Andrei or Longinus.

At the dinner table, they often joked, gossiped, and discussed trivial matters. Natia also enjoyed sharing delicious food and chatting with her brother and his wife; she felt as if she had fallen from harsh reality into her most longed-for dream, a dream that was actually real.

She instructed the servants to set out tables and chairs.

“In my sewing room,” she instructed, “in the Byzantine way.”

It consists of a round table and four chairs.

The needlework room was undoubtedly the most luxurious room in the Olive Court.

It has glass windows.

Although people today do not yet have the ability to create transparent glass that allows people to see everything like in later generations, and can only make small pieces of glass, they can still make beautiful stained-glass windows by inlaying and splicing lead strips.

This is why this room is often used for receiving guests; it is brighter than the other rooms, and even at night, there are more candles and torches here.

Did they say when they would be coming?

"After evening prayers, madam."

With Dandolo present, this is essentially a banquet for guests. Even if it's not as grand as a banquet held in the main hall, at least some preparations should be made.

Natia checked the water clock and, confirming she had plenty of time to prepare, felt relieved. "Go tell the kitchen—to slaughter a lamb and make a saffron stew. Also, go to the docks and see if there are any fresh eels—or mussels… I remember someone sent an albatross a few days ago… roast that too, but don't bring it up with its feathers stuck in it. And also, prepare a piping hot, thick soup…"

Of course, they couldn't treat their guests according to their usual habits; they ate a very light meal in the evening.

Natia was not entitled to delicious food in the Sultan's harem. When she was occasionally rewarded, it was often snatched and stolen by the other female slaves in the room, to the point that she had become accustomed to not craving anything good.

When César asked her what she liked to eat, all she could recall was the goat cheese she had enjoyed as a child, but she knew every single one of her brother's preferences. While this seems rather strange by today's standards—César's eating habits were almost the complete opposite of those of people today—it's quite remarkable.

Most people eat two meals a day, but he eats three.

Most people eat a little something in the morning, but it's very simple, and they only enjoy a proper meal in the evening. César, on the other hand, has a big breakfast, a big lunch, and a simple dinner.

While others eat vegetables raw and fruits cooked, César preferred to stew vegetables, make vegetable soup, and eat fruit directly.

So when César came to Natia’s olive court to dine with her, Natia would simply follow his preferences and prepare a few light, small, and easily digestible dishes.

However, it would be impolite to serve these dishes to guests.

When the stars and moon were high in the sky, and the olive trees outside the window were bathed in a thin layer of silvery light, all the candles in the room were lit, and the small family banquet began.

Dandolo had heard a little about Cesar's various eccentricities. But to him, it was truly absurd that a lord couldn't eat whatever he wanted, according to his own whims.

As long as Cesar doesn't roast people alive like the Crusaders did during the attack on Antioch, he can accept it without much concern.

He particularly enjoyed one of the dishes: lamb stewed with saffron, which probably had some other spices added. It was golden in color, with a thick broth, and of course, rock sugar. Its sweet and savory flavor, almost devoid of any other off-flavors, made his mouth water.

The roasted albatross was also good. Although it wasn't pierced with feathers, the skin was crispy and shiny, the meat was tender and juicy, and it didn't lose its original shape. Even the side dishes inside its belly that it didn't like much before—onions and parsnips—became incredibly delicious after absorbing the meat juices.

He ordered two servings and ate some almond rolls. This dessert originally required honey, but here it was replaced with purer sugar. Honey has an aroma that sugar cannot replace, but sugar, especially pure sugar, has a sweetness that honey cannot match.

After the servants removed the plates and bowls, they served steaming hot drinks.

Dandolo initially thought the brown liquid in the silver cup was coffee or honey water, but when he leaned over to look, he realized that the color was much lighter.

He saw his granddaughter Portia skillfully adding rock sugar, and Natia doing the same. Only Cesar didn't add anything, and simply picked up the glass and took a sip. "Aren't you adding sugar?" he asked.

“No, I prefer the original flavor…” Cesar looked at Portia as she opened the spice jar, his expression complicated.

At that time, it was common for people to add sugar, honey, and precious spices to their drinks—especially the nobles, who believed that drinking only "ordinary" water was unbecoming of their status. In addition, the priests repeatedly said that sugar, honey, and spices could remove impurities from water or wine, making people healthier...

Strangely enough, this statement isn't entirely wrong, because fuel was scarce in that era, and people could only drink water from rivers, wells, or even mud pits—not to mention how many germs and microorganisms were in there…

Even when César was in Castel Santa Croce, he could only drink light wine or hot soup.

“Why don’t you try it?” Cesar thought for a moment and then advised, “It’s a drink that’s good for your health, but some people can’t stand its bitterness, and others think that this practice is too ‘ordinary’—a waste of good things.”

Dandolo scoffed at this, "What a waste of resources! Let's talk about it when they stop eating with their hands like monkeys."

Venice has historically, or perhaps still does, leaned toward Byzantium in its political stance. The Byzantines had been using cutlery other than knives and spoons, namely forks, for over a hundred years, and they were accustomed to keeping their hands clean after a banquet.

Dandolo would only feel annoyed by those priests and political enemies who, upon seeing him use a fork, assumed he had committed some terrible sin and began to condemn him.

He acknowledged that some foods can be handled with hands, such as bread, nuts, and some vegetables, because they don't get your fingers dirty. But certain dishes, such as stews with gravy, desserts drizzled with honey and syrup, and some fatty cold cuts, are exceptions.

In situations where he had to eat with his fingers (such as at certain Francanian banquets), Dandolo was often bothered by the grease and smell that clung to his fingers. A person who values ​​cleanliness would find it hard to tolerate that indescribable greasy smell that always lingered around him. Some people didn't care and even thought it was a symbol of wealth, but Dandolo, who was born into a silver cradle, didn't think so.

Unlike some who insist on adding expensive spices and sugar to their tea to show off their status and taste, he imitated César by taking a small sip from his cup. Indeed, as César had warned, tea is a bitter beverage, especially for those who indulge in sweets without restraint. But for Dandolo, this bitterness actually balanced the sweetness that lingered in his mouth.

Those tongues, temporarily dulled by the strong spices and sugar, seemed to come back to life, reborn under the catalysis of tea.

(End of this chapter)