It was definitely rice.

I transferred it to a small plate and quickly tasted it.

“There’s not a single sticky grain. Tastes like rice.”

It tasted similar to the rice served in Indian restaurants.

Why rice was sitting conspicuously on a Westernstyle table was perplexing.

Perverov approached me.

“That’s not how you consume it. It’s a very special beverage, with a specific way of enjoying it.”

“A beverage, you say?”

This?

“I’ll show you how it’s made.”

Perverov poured an unknown liquid into a glass and then stirred in a spoonful of rice.

In the cloudy liquid, the grains of rice swirled around, dancing.

“Like this. You mix it with this syrup and consume it.”

It was one shock after another.

Carelessly, I took the cup he offered.

“…Sikhye?”

Although the production process was highly shocking, visually, it was unmistakably Sikhye.

“So weird! Suspicious!”

Just adding a spoonful of rice to water doesn’t make Sikhye.

As someone who had seen my mother make Sikhye when I was young, it was an intolerable beverage.

“Please, have a taste.”

“…Ah, yes.”

When a person of such high rank offers, you can’t refuse.

I cautiously took a sip, comforting myself that it might be delicious.

But as soon as I tasted it.

“If this is called Sikhye, it’s life imprisonment, no, it’s the death penalty.”

Half sugar syrup, half water, half alcohol. It was a taste concocted with rice grains.

Perverov, who created this insulting beverage, started to look different.

Mixed emotions and various hypotheses swirled in my head.

“Could he know that I’m a possessor?”

Maybe he knows about Korea and is testing to see if I would reveal it.

I felt like an alien who had crashlanded on Earth.

And such aliens are dissected the moment their identity is exposed.

I felt a chill inside.

“If I get angry here…”

Gulp.

Saliva involuntarily went down.

I downed it in one go and flashed a broad smile.

“Sweet and delicious! It’s a taste I’m experiencing for the first time!”

Seemingly satisfied with my choice, Perverov smiled warmly.

“The beverage is unique, isn’t it? We call it Sweet Rice Juice. The floating grains are made from a very rare crop.”

I was startled by the familiar second language.

Nostalgically, Perverov stared at the floating rice grains in the glass.

“Actually, this isn’t the original taste. Only Lady Ballot knows how to make it, so for now, this is how we’re preserving its form.”

He made his own serving of the drink as he spoke.

“The original is incomparably delicious. It’s subtly smooth and has a pleasing sweetness.”

What the substitute was describing was clearly Sikhye.

With the heap of rice, I took in the concept of the party.

Kanmoea interior and now Sikhye.

“Is there another possessor besides me?”

I couldn’t think otherwise.

While I was lost in thought, Louis touched the beverage.

“Aileen, can we try that too?”

“…Ah, this is alcohol, so I think it’s not suitable. Are you thirsty?”

“Just curious since you said it’s delicious.”

“I’ll get you something else. Let’s see, what do we have.”

Pretending to look around the table, I noticed Perverov’s cues.

Feeling that I shouldn’t stir things up, I was about to pick up a glass of juice when I heard a tiny voice below.

“Um, excuse me.”

“…Yes?”

“…This is delicious. If you give it to the Princes…”

Speaking to me was a little girl, who looked to be around six years old.

“Ah, hello. I am… Lafia Rudion.”

With red ribbons tying her brown hair adorably, the girl was sneaking glances at the twins while greeting me.

“Ah, that kid from the party!”

If it’s a party, she must be one of the kids at Oroje.

“At least not every child was terrible.”

I took the recommended juice and handed two cups to Lafia.

“Would you give it to the Princes?”

“…Yes!”

Lafia grinned and approached the twins.

I watched the children drink the juice and pointed to the clock.

“Do the three of you want to play together? When the clock hits twelve, let’s meet at the door.”

“Okay! Got it!”
After sending the children away, I finally had a moment to assess the situation.

But Fervebrov was still with me.

“If he’s a donor of this magnitude… I could get information from the steward alone.”

First, I had to find out about a person named Evelyn Ballot.

“The interior is quite unique. Can I hear more about Mrs. Ballot?”

As I showed curiosity, Fervebrov gave a smile as if he knew something.

“It’s worth your interest. After all, you, Your Grace, are more than qualified to be an even better follower than Mrs. Ballot.”

“…Sorry? What are you saying?”

‘Why is he blabbering nonsensically when I asked for information?’

Gradually, Fervebrov’s gaze became overtly calculating.

“Your Grace, you own two large enterprises.”

Excellent follower. Donor’s party. The purposefully connected business discussion pointed to only one thing.

‘This guy, he’s trying to fleece me right now.’

They wanted a wealthy donor at the temple.

“If you are with the Goddess of Light, Your Grace will shine even brighter.”

It was so blatant that I couldn’t even get angry.