On the Inner River, the Eastern sailed slowly onward.
In the dining room, attendants moved about in an orderly fashion, clearing away greasy plates along with leftover food and bringing out fresh dishes that some guests had specifically requested.
For guests who had not come to the dining room, attendants delivered food to them in person.
Of course, this service was only available to first-class suites.
Yura, Lucius, and Joe were staying in just such a suite.
Two dining room attendants in white shirts and waistcoats carried trays of food behind a steward dressed in a black tailcoat and red bow tie, stopping outside the suite.
Knock, knock-knock!
The suite's steward tapped gently on the door and spoke in a soft, respectful voice.
"Mr. Joe, three standard set meals, as you requested.
"And two Saint Sinter Drinks, as you specifically ordered."
The Saint Sinter Drink was an alcoholic beverage made with a generous base of fresh lemon juice and honey, supplemented by two large, square ice cubes that fit snugly inside the glass. Around thirty milliliters of liquor was poured from above. Once the liquor, fresh lemon juice, and honey covered the first ice cube, the mixture was stirred continuously with a spoon, melting the ice to dilute the alcohol until the liquid reached the rim.
It tasted decent, but took so much effort that ordinary taverns would never bother making it.
And establishments that did make it charged high prices.
After all, it was said that a bartender could only make one of these drinks a day.
Any more than that?
The bartender would die.
Thus, the Saint Sinter Drink was also called Bartender's Death.
Yet it was a favorite among the wealthy and the nobility.
Because-
It made them stand out.
Especially aboard the Eastern, it made them