"How could General Serviati possibly mutiny over a few mad words? Your Excellency is well aware of that," said Earl Nalzia as he took two cups out of a cabinet, pouring wine with a casual tone, "I just can't understand why you would say those things to him."
After the honey-colored liquid filled the cups, Nalzia added a few ice cubes from a cotton-covered iron can into the wine and handed one to Lionel.
Lionel looked completely different from how he appeared in Antonio's study; now, he seemed more like the Chief Civil Servant of The Federated Provinces – renowned for his shrewdness and boldness in handling affairs.
The Secretary of State swirled his glass gently and said calmly, "Not being able to persuade Debela meant that I had already failed. Everything else was just patching holes, inconsequential and expected... But the corrupt ways of you nobles always manage to surprise me a little. Using court mages to make ice just for drinking ice wine, isn't that a bit too luxurious?"