Chapter 224: Red Queen
The tarts were a hit!
Sure, it took what seemed like half an hour for each individual tart to be magically tested for poison, but as soon as that was done and they began to be distributed to the high table, the way peoples’ eyes lit up at the combination of strong coffee and mild white chocolate flavor validated Kir’s work in making them.
Unfortunately, the tarts never left the high table. Mostly because Lumin wound up regifting the second box to the Queen.
But at least Kordia’s ears and tails twitched and swished with delight as she tried the tarts.
Kir was still admiring them when a pair of shadows covered his part of the table.
"The Queen will speak with you," one guard, a monkey-like beastkin said.
"Right. One moment," Kir stood and stepped out from the table. The guards had him walk in front of them as he approached the high table.
As he approached, Queen Fruhe turned but remained seated. "Ah, you are the one responsible for these delicacies?" she gestured at the unopened box of tarts.
"Delightful. I permit you to bow," she raised a ringed hand, presenting it for him to kiss. Her black claws were inlaid with gold, which complemented her red-orange fur and hair quite nicely.
"With respect, I am not a citizen of your country," Kir remained standing, as half the high-table gasped and Lumin gave Kir a look of detached interest.
"Such insolence! I have not tolerated the like since my husband." She snapped her fingers and both guards reached up to place hands on Kir’s shoulders, only to be rebuffed by Kir’s latticed shield flickering into existence.