It was as if he was saying that he had memorized their faces and knew what they were thinking at that moment.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
He spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:
"Thank you all for coming here despite your busy schedules. I apologize for keeping you waiting.
I just had to handle some last-minute affairs, which took up some time."
His tone was calm, without much self-explanation, yet it appeared all the more measured and tasteful, even causing several nobles who were slightly dissatisfied to nod in approval.
He cracked a joke: "I know, the castle in Red Tide Territory is not quite refined, some places even can be said to be... crude."
Some nobles below responded with dry laughter, glancing at each other awkwardly.
"But I hope tonight's banquet will allow you all to eat well and drink well."
