In any case, judging by the sour aura emanating from his direction right now, he clearly wasn’t pleased about seeing us getting along so well with Aleis and Lysonna.
“Your Highness Crown Prince Aleis, Your Highness Princess Consort Lysonna,” Bertia began brightly once the formal greetings were finished. “I’ve brought something very special from our kingdom—a newly developed drink. When I heard news of your wedding, I rushed its completion so that we could present it in time for this joyous day.”
Her words, paired with the radiant smile that lit her face as she lifted the bottle high for all to see, immediately sent a ripple of excitement through the room.
From the moment we had entered, the people’s eyes had been following that bottle. Now, as Bertia announced its significance, the guests’ whispers swelled into a lively murmur.
“Truly?” Aleis said, his eyes widening with genuine delight. “Princess Consort Bertia, not only have you helped so much with this ceremony as my wife’s dear friend, but to have prepared such a gift as well… We are deeply grateful.”
“Lady Bertia,” Lysonna added, her expression soft with happiness, “thank you, truly, for doing this for us.”
Beside them, attendants were already setting out the small cups prepared for this very purpose—delicate, porcelain vessels made especially for the nihonshu.
Bertia bowed slightly, her eyes sparkling with pride.
“The pleasure is mine. Seeing the two of you so happy fills my heart. Now then, please, Your Highnesses, do try this special drink. It’s called nihonshu.”
With practiced elegance, she twisted open the loosened cap, releasing a faint, clean fragrance into the air. I stepped to her side and placed my hand over hers on the bottle, just in case.
Of course, she hardly needed my help. Bertia’s grip was steady, her posture firm; all that daily “diet training” of hers was evidently paying off. She lifted the heavy bottle with ease, nothing like the noble ladies who claimed they had never held anything heavier than a fan.
Still, I wasn’t about to let go. Helping her pour, even if unnecessary, felt somehow right.
“My, to be served by the crown prince and princess of Alphasta—it’s an honor,” Lysonna said warmly.
“It will be a memory we cherish,” Aleis agreed, accepting the cup from his attendant and holding it out.
The porcelain glowed faintly under the lights as we poured. The clear liquid streamed out in a graceful arc, catching reflections of gold and silver from the chandeliers above.
We poured only a modest amount, just enough to glimmer at the bottom of the cup. Nihonshu was potent; it was meant to be savored slowly, its flavor unfolding sip by sip, not swallowed in haste.
The two of them would, no doubt, be offered more drinks by every attending delegate before the night was over. It was better to keep their cups modest now. After all, a full pour would only risk spilling in front of the crowd.
They each studied the clear liquid curiously for a moment, the candlelight glinting through it like glass. Then, meeting each other’s eyes with gentle smiles, Aleis and Lysonna raised their sakazuki in unison and took their first sip.
“What a rich, layered flavor,” Aleis murmured. “And the fragrance. Remarkable.”
“It’s a little strong,” Lysonna said softly, “but it blooms delicately and smoothly in the mouth. Truly delicious.”
Their honest delight was unmistakable. From their wide-eyed expressions and the warmth in their voices, it was clear they weren’t simply being polite.
“I’m glad it suits your taste,” I said.
“Yes!” Bertia added eagerly, hugging the bottle to her chest. “This sake is perfect for celebrations such as yours! I’m so happy you like it!”
She looked positively radiant, cheeks flushed, eyes bright with satisfaction. I couldn’t help smiling at the sight. She’d poured her heart into this nihonshu, after all, researching rice cultivation, experimenting with yeast, even trying to establish what she called a tanbo, a kind of wet field for growing rice herself.
In the end, when time grew too short, she’d enlisted Zeno’s help to complete the brewing process. But I knew better than anyone just how much effort and passion she’d devoted to it.
“Our kingdom has only just begun producing this sake,” I explained, addressing the couple and, by extension, the guests who were now watching closely. “Production is still limited, but my wife Bertia was so eager to share it on this occasion that we brought extra. If it pleases you, we’d be honored to offer it to your guests as well.”
As I spoke, attendants whisked away the embroidered cloth covering the large sake casks behind us. A murmur rippled through the hall, revealing barely concealed curiosity and anticipation.
“You honor us,” Aleis said warmly. “But I agree. This marvelous drink should be shared with all who have gathered here today. May we accept your generosity?”
“Of course,” I replied. “That was our intention.”
“Yes, please. Let everyone enjoy the nihonshu,” Bertia said, her voice brimming with joy.
Confirming our assent with a nod, Crown Prince Aleis slipped an arm around Princess Consort Lysonna’s shoulders and drew her close. The two stood together, poised and radiant beneath the candlelight, as Aleis turned to face the hall.
I followed suit, drawing Bertia gently to my side and stepping aside just enough that we wouldn’t obstruct the view. Together, we watched as Aleis’s gaze swept across the sea of expectant faces.
“Everyone,” Crown Prince Aleis declared, “we have received a most special gift from the Crown Prince and Princess Consort of Alphasta, a celebratory drink known as nihonshu. Thanks to their generosity, it has been prepared for all of us to enjoy tonight. Please, raise your cups and share in this blessing!”
The moment his words ended, the prearranged signal rang out—
Crack!
A sharp, resounding crack echoed through the hall as the lids of the sake barrels were struck open with wooden mallets. The sound was bright and festive, like the opening note of a song.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Guests who had been watching with curious interest moments before now surged forward eagerly toward the serving tables.
Amid the rising excitement, the newlyweds turned back to us.
“Truly, we cannot thank you enough,” Aleis said.
“We are deeply grateful,” Lysonna added.
As the crowd’s focus shifted to the lively bustle of tasting and laughter, our small circle became a brief island of calm.
“I’m glad it pleased you both,” I said, inclining my head. “My wife finds great joy in seeing her friends happy.”
“Yes!” Bertia said, her voice bubbling with genuine cheer. “Seeing you both so happy makes me happy too!”
We exchanged genuine smiles, and with that, we took our leave.