Bab 488: The Imposing Man

Alaric felt that Sophia's eyes were on him so he turned to his cousin and frowned.

"Do you want to say something?" he asked Sophia. The girl gasped and quickly shook her head.

"Uhmm ... no, I was just reminded of something, but it absolutely nothing important," Sophia answered. She tried to sound relaxed as she turned her attention to the wine she was holding. "Let's drink ... this special champagne is made from grapes harvested in the year of your birth. It's 100 years old too, and special."

Ned nodded. A sommelier immediately brought a wine bottle opener and opened the cork. The sommelier then graciously poured a little into a glass to be tasted by the host. After Ned nodded in satisfaction, he poured for each of them into their glass.

Portia led them into a toast by raising her glass, "For the next 100 years."

"For our new leader," Sophia added.

"For the future." Ned nodded.

Alaric nodded slightly, "Thank you."