Your Mightiness

It was Richard II's idea to decide to make a big fuss about August's birthday.But it was Raphael who actually executed the plan and turned the idea into reality.

The black-haired young man is undoubtedly excellent, which is reflected in all aspects, ranging from handling government affairs for the king to preparing a banquet for his nephew.The decoration of the hall is luxurious and tasteful, and the service of the servants is warm and orderly. The guests are all full of praise, and they even can't wait to book the next banquet invitation from His Excellency the Duke.

August doesn't know what others think, anyway, he has always wanted such a banquet in his two lifetimes, full of guests, and champagne in the castle.Raphael taps into the essence of what makes August happy—just for him.

Who is not a little public opinion?

Maybe after hosting countless times, August will start to get tired of such a banquet full of false smiles and formal harmony, but at least at this moment, which he has never had before, he likes this unique birthday gift very much.Everything exactly meets August's expectations, and all reflect Raphael's intentions and love.

Affected by the environment, August has gradually become more and more enthusiastic and unrestrained over the years. When he was excited to hug Raphael and kiss him, he really rushed over and hugged his uncle enough.

Arching his head: "Yel, I want to be your family for the rest of my life!"

Raphael was quite enjoying it at first, but after hearing this sentence, the arc of the corners of his lips dropped slightly, and he said, "But I don't want to be a family member with you, what should I do."

August froze for a moment, then smiled.Since ancient times, the second child has been so arrogant, he understands!

Without giving Raphael a chance to defend himself, August continued: "Did you steal my idea, or how could you prepare exactly what I want most?"

Because this was what I wanted the most—the words lingered in Raphael's throat several times, and finally he suppressed them. His eyes returned to the channel of Your Excellency the Earl who was so powerful that he seemed to be omnipotent. August smiled: "Please take this as an innate talent. I have automatically increased the level of reward you will give me in the future."

August was fascinated by the beauty for a while, and nodded before he had time to think: "Of course it's no problem! Even if you want to kiss now, it's okay! Ten is enough!"

Rafael smiled: "I choose to keep this surprise for a later date."

His Excellency the Duke who was rejected was a little disappointed.The golden hair drooped down, but the desire for a kiss in the expression became even higher, almost overflowing the screen, I really want to kiss, I really want to kiss!

The more you are not allowed to do it, the more you want to do it.

Then, the Duke, who wanted to do it, looked around and saw that there was no one around, so he kissed him as quickly as lightning and wind.Raphael's cheeks are a bit cold, but they are delicate and tender, and slightly elastic. Simply put, the taste is first-class!It's like kissing a piece of jelly, with a scent so sweet that you can't wait to swallow it in one gulp.

Probably August's speed was really fast, and even Raphael, who was always strong and vigilant, couldn't react. Facing the matter of being stolen, his attitude was very upright: "This is your stealing, It's not included in the award."

"Yes, yes!" Your Excellency the Duke, who consciously took advantage of it, is now basically in the state of an idiot who said "you are a beauty and you have the final say".

It didn't take long for the nephew and uncle to get bored, and the real banquet began.

Banquets are always inseparable from dancing and eating. In the Middle Ages, when buffets were not very popular and the two could not be perfectly integrated, nobles generally chose to eat on extremely long long tables first, and then take a break ( Gentlemen smoke, ladies change and touch up), and the ball begins.

The tabletop of the dining table is covered by embroidered wool cloth with a scarlet base and a gold border, and the corners hang down naturally to the ground.On top of the wool cloth, there are two other shorter layers of white cloth.

August was curious about the purpose of this arrangement when watching British dramas before, and now the case has been officially solved. The extra white cloth on the dining table is to better protect the long table after the wooden boards for cutting bread are served. bottom of.It can also be used as a napkin on your lap, freeing your hands and eating freely.Of course, there are official pure white napkins on everyone's dinner plate, folded like a bishop's hat, taking care of all aspects of the nobles.

At the end of the long table, there is a high-backed chair with a box-like seat, which is the king's seat, symbolizing dignity and majesty.There are arch reliefs of oak leaves and lilies on the back of the chair. It looks good, but it doesn't matter how comfortable it is to sit on.Other people's chairs are placed under the table, forming a feeling of being surrounded by stars.

When everyone is seated, it's time to formally dine.

England's cuisine is full of endless creativity, and its strict dining etiquette is not far behind.

What August is talking about here is of course not the pediatrics that everyone knows about the placement of knives and forks, and the number of knives and forks that must be used when eating.What he wants to say is that in the Middle Ages, the nobles cut different meats in different ways.

For this reason, some people even published a book specifically to describe this skill that nobles must know.For example, in Russell's "Book of Education", it is full of funny and weird words such as "tame this crab", "break the joint of that sparrow", "show your hen" and so on.

People in the Middle Ages believed that the perfect cutting of food at the table was an alternative display of chivalrous skill.This particular technique of coercion was at its peak when dining at the king's table, as the nobles wanted to impress the king with their prowess.They even learned such dining etiquette when they were young, so that they could show themselves at the banquet held by the royal family one day.

Among the apprentice knights brought by August, there was a little boy who could cut off a calf's head in sixteen steps, and the tangent was perfect.August was so amazed that he couldn't help but want to applaud this performance art.

Of course, it didn't work out.Raphael on August's right stopped him in time.

August didn't need to show anything to Richard II, but he needed to let the big nobles present see a brand new him, and break the wanton gossip that the Duke of Gloucester was a fool.

Of course, Raphael specially prepared such a display space for Auguste.Among the delicacies, there will be a specific meat that can only be cut by the king or high-ranking nobles.I don't know how Raphael told Richard II that the king agreed to let August do it for him.This gave the nobles present a signal that the king attached great importance to August.

What Raphael did was far more than that. He was not the type to keep his name. How much he had done for August, August must know how much.

For example, in terms of cutting, it was Raphael who helped August cheat.

How does cutting cheat?

This needs to be explained. The so-called cutting in the Middle Ages is actually different from the direct cutting in the popular understanding.The aristocrats not only need to cut, but also to re-display, that is, to re-arrange the plate after cutting, and to put on a noble and beautiful appearance.Simply sick.But this sick practice is widespread, even in modern times.

Auguste got a white swan that is standard for the royal family. Due to the huge amount of engineering, it needs to be prepared in advance, which leaves room for cheating.

When the dish was served, it was already a semi-finished product, and all that August needed to do was to "lift the swan".

"Lifting" is a medieval term for the final cut.

The reshaped swan wears a golden crown, a delicate garland of flowers hangs around the slightly curved neck, and the beak is even plated with gold.The posture is solemn and contradictory, like a dying swan in a ballet, revealing a philosophy of facing death.

Heck, of course it wasn't August who said it, but the nobles who praised him said it in cadenced arias.

August is not going to express any opinions on this, and he can only keep some complaints in his stomach.

In the body of the huge swan, there is something similar to a pie composed of baked oatmeal, covered with puff pastry, and decorated with a swan made by the royal chef.It was August's task to lift the lid.The moment you mention it, the contents of the box will bounce out, causing the guests present to laugh in surprise.

Well, there is nothing to be surprised about. Everyone has seen this kind of thing countless times, but they still show appropriate surprises and smiles in a decent way.

The main event of the banquet was successfully concluded, and August had a very perfect appearance in England's top circles.

Everyone is praising His Excellency the Duke's angelic face, elegant demeanor and super-divine cutting skills. Although it is superficial, this form is the most important for August who is new to the social circle. He laid a solid foundation for his later noble life.

Raphael took pains to prepare all of this, leaving August, and August, others with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

After the banquet came the dance, and with the grand fireworks that burned all night, the "Carol" sung by the choir, and the double gifts piled up under the Christmas tree, August ushered in his nine-year-old life.

Raphael stood on the balcony with his arms around August watching the fireworks, and he whispered in his ear: "Christmas presents are over. Are you ready to unwrap your birthday present?"

"!!!"

【Mom, I want to marry this man! 】The nine-square grid once again began to circulate magically in August's mind.