Just as Victor sank into thought, a faint, rhythmic knock suddenly sounded, breaking the quiet atmosphere in the cabin.
Before Victor could ask who it was, a respectful voice came from outside. "My Lord Marquis, dinner is ready. Please enjoy it!"
Victor gently rubbed his slightly throbbing brow, then reached into his coat and pulled out an exquisite pocket watch, lowering his head to glance at its face.
"It's already this late?" he murmured to himself.
Then Victor raised his voice. "Come in."
As soon as the words left his mouth, a guardsman in a neat uniform carefully pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The guardsman steadily carried an exquisite tray, upon which sat several dishes giving off enticing aromas and wisps of steam.
"My Lord Marquis, please forgive us. Conditions aboard the ship are limited and rather crude, so the kitchen was only able to prepare a few simple dishes for your dinner." As he spoke, the guardsman placed the tray on the table and gave Victor a standard military salute.
Victor had already quickly tidied up the cluttered table. After all, space aboard the ship was cramped, and there was simply no room to set aside an additional cabin as a dedicated dining room.
Thus, throughout this voyage, he had been taking all his meals in his own cabin.
Victor gestured for the guardsman to set the tray on the table, then stepped forward to inspect the food. One soup, two dishes, and a white bread roll—it truly was simple fare, far below the standard he enjoyed in his territory, but that was only natural.
The guardsman introduced the meal. "The soup is fish soup. The head chef said he bought the fish from a passing fishing boat, so it's very fresh.
"One dish is chilled asparagus