The hall was still buzzing from the echoes of Saphy's speech. Even after the applause had faded, admiration lingered in every pair of eyes that turned toward her. The nobles, once skeptical, now gazed at her as if witnessing something both divine and impossibly endearing.
Her words had been far too eloquent for someone her age — a speech filled with sincerity and gravity — yet spoken with that soft, childish lisp that made it impossible not to smile. The contrast left everyone caught between awe and amusement. No one dared laugh; instead, they watched her with warm, gentle eyes.
Among them, a young noble boy looked at her as though struck by love at first sight. Noticing his dreamy stare, Saphy's face turned beet red. The heat crept all the way to her ears, and she fidgeted slightly, wishing for the floor to open up.
In a desperate attempt to escape the sea of affectionate gazes, she quickly clapped her hands and said with a bright smile,
"W-Well! Now that everything is over… it's time for the banquet to begin! And—" she paused dramatically, eyes sparkling, "I also have a little surprise for His Majesty!"
The king arched a brow, curiosity flickering in his golden eyes.
"Oh?" he said, intrigued. "If it's coming from you, then I'm looking forward to it."
At his words, Charles gave a subtle signal. Instantly, the servants sprang into action, setting an ornate table before the king — polished mahogany glimmering under the glow of chandeliers, tiny crystal bowls catching the light like jewels.
Saphy, trying to communicate with the maids, attempted a discreet blink… and failed spectacularly. Her "secret signal" looked more like a startled bird flapping its wings. A few maids suppressed giggles, but somehow they understood. Within moments, bowl after bowl of golden, crispy treasures appeared on the table, arranged with meticulous care.
The king's eyes followed the servants as they carefully placed bowl after bowl before him. Each one gleamed under the chandelier light, the golden crisps catching the glow like tiny, edible treasures. He leaned slightly forward, intrigued by the crisp shimmer of the thin slices stacked neatly, the way each curl and fold seemed almost deliberate, almost artistic.
A scent drifted up to him — warm, inviting, and oddly intoxicating. The simplest, lightly salted chips carried a gentle, earthy aroma, like sun-drenched fields. The garlic chips teased his senses with a sharp, savory note that made his nostrils flare slightly, while the onion chips added a soft, sweet warmth. Tomato chips offered a subtle tang that mingled with the faint buttery smell of the fried slices, and the tomato–garlic–onion mix swirled their aromas together in a complex, tantalizing bouquet. The cheese-flavored chips released a rich, creamy scent, heavier than the others, promising decadence in every bite. Even the garlic–onion chips radiated a heady, robust fragrance that lingered in the air.
The king raised a brow, his interest deepening. "What… exactly are these delightful things?" he asked, curiosity softening the usual authority in his tone.
Saphy stepped forward, her small frame poised yet sparkling with pride. "They're called chips!" she announced, her voice bright and clear. "Each bowl has a different flavor — salted, garlic, onion, tomato, tomato–garlic–onion, garlic–onion… and the cheese-flavored one. Everyone in my family has already tasted the others, but Your Majesty will be the first to try the cheese-flavored one!"
Her eyes shone like twin stars as she waited, a mixture of excitement and anticipation written plainly across her face.
The king nodded subtly, and with that small gesture, the butler and maid carefully began to serve the bowls closer to him, ready for the first taste of this mysterious, golden invention.
The king picked up a salted chip first, its golden edge glinting under the chandelier. He brought it slowly to his lips. As he bit down, a sharp, satisfying crunch echoed quietly in the hall, crisp and clean. The salt kissed his tongue, simple yet perfect, and a faint, earthy aroma lingered with each chew. He paused, savoring the straightforward delight.
Next, he reached for the garlic chip. Its scent hit first — pungent, warm, and immediately awakening his senses. He bit, and the crisp snapped sharply between his teeth. The rich, savory garlic flavor spread across his palate, slightly bold, slightly mischievous, but utterly delicious. He raised a brow, impressed at such a simple creation carrying so much character.
The onion chip came next. Thin and golden, it released a soft, sweet fragrance as he brought it to his mouth. The taste was gentle, slightly caramelized, a comforting warmth that reminded him of roasted autumn vegetables. Another bite, and he found himself enjoying the subtle complexity.
Curiosity led him to the tomato chip. Its red-tinged surface glimmered, and as he sniffed it, a fresh, tangy aroma teased his senses. The first bite was crisp and light, with a delicate acidity balancing perfectly against the fried golden crunch. He nodded slightly, appreciating the bright, unexpected freshness.
Then came the tomato–garlic–onion mix chip, a chaotic medley in a single slice. The aroma was rich and layered: sweet onions, sharp garlic, tangy tomato. As he bit down, all the flavors exploded together, complex yet harmonious, making his taste buds tingle. The crunch remained perfect, each layer blending seamlessly with the others.
The garlic–onion chip followed, bolder than the previous mix. Its scent was deep and heady, almost intoxicating. As he chewed, the savory flavors coated his tongue, robust and slightly daring, a flavor that demanded attention while still remaining elegant.
Finally, he reached for the cheese-flavored chip, Saphy's special surprise. Its creamy scent rose first, rich and decadent. He hesitated, savoring the aroma before biting. The crisp shattered perfectly, melting into a subtle, indulgent cheese flavor that lingered on his palate. It was both familiar and luxurious, simple yet unexpectedly refined.
The king set the bowl down, leaning back slightly in quiet satisfaction. His eyes twinkled with a mix of amusement and genuine delight. Each chip had its own character, its own charm — and together, they created a symphony of flavors unlike anything he had ever experienced.
Then he stated to enjoy the chips in ernest.
Seeing the king's rapt expression, the nobles leaned forward, their curiosity piqued. But in true noble fashion, they could not touch the delicacies before the king had passed judgment. They endured the tantalizing aromas and golden glimmers, biting their tongues as they waited, as was expected in high society.
The king, however, seemed to have completely forgotten about protocol — and even about his own children. Thankfully, the ever-diligent butler stepped in, carefully serving small portions to the young prince and princess. Within moments, they too became lost in the rich flavors and crisp textures, their little hands quickly reaching for more.
Unconsciously, the king continued to finish bowl after bowl. Each crisp disappeared almost faster than it could be replaced, and his maid dutifully refilled the plates without pause. Thankfully, the kitchens had anticipated the demand and had prepared more than enough chips to keep up.
The butler, noticing his king's increasingly unrefined — if utterly engrossed — appearance, discreetly cleared his throat to regain attention. The king paused, cleaned his throat, and raised his gaze, bringing the hall back to order without losing dignity.
"My dear," he said warmly, turning to Saphy, "you truly made something fascinating. I almost got lost in it."
He then addressed the assembled nobles, his tone now commanding yet light:
"Looking at everyone, I'll keep this brief. Here's to Sapphire Rosabelle Astley's awakening… and to the prosperity of our kingdom!"
The king raised his wine glass with a small, satisfied smile and drank. Instantly, the hall echoed with the clink of glasses as everyone followed suit.
With that, the banquet officially began —
Once the king's toast was finished, the maid and servants moved quickly, carefully serving bowls of golden chips to everyone. As the first nobles took a bite, the hall fell into a stunned silence — just long enough for each person to process the crisp, delicate crunch and burst of flavor.
Eyes widened. Hands froze mid-air. A noblewoman let out a soft, incredulous gasp. A young lord muttered something unintelligible, utterly caught off guard by the unexpected delight. Even the usually stoic advisors blinked in astonishment. No one had expected such simple slice to create such an explosion of taste.
Then, slowly, the hall erupted in murmurs of delight, followed by laughter and animated chatter. Good food, it seemed, could momentarily erase every worry, every duty, every formality. The nobles began comparing flavors, debating which was the most delightful: the sharp tang of tomato, the rich indulgence of cheese, the bold harmony of tomato–garlic–onion.
The air grew warm with excitement, the room buzzing like a hive as everyone shared their reactions, laughing at their own over-the-top expressions and giddy admiration. Saphy watched with sparkling eyes, her tiny chest swelling with pride as the hall transformed into a joyful celebration of simple pleasures, all thanks to her humble invention.
Saphy moved gracefully through the hall, a small bowl of golden chips in her hands. She helped serve them to the nobles and guests, answering questions about the flavors with a charming mix of pride and playful secrecy. Every time someone asked, she gave a bright smile, describing the taste and texture but carefully keeping the main ingredient a secret, letting curiosity linger.
At first, the attention made her cheeks burn and her hands tremble slightly. But as the hall filled with laughter, delight, and praise, she gradually relaxed, even beginning to enjoy the admiration. Nobles complimented her cleverness, the boldness of her flavors, and her composure — all of it making her heart swell with quiet pride.
Carrying another bowl, she drifted toward a quieter corner of the hall. Naturally, wherever Saphy went, many eyes followed her, including the king's, sparkling with curiosity and amusement.
At the corner, two servants stood stiffly, their posture awkward, clearly nervous under the weight of the hall's attention. Saphy approached, her small hands outstretched, holding the bowl high enough for everyone to see. She spoke clearly, her voice ringing through the room:
"Don't you want to taste the chips, Mr… Demon??"
The hall fell utterly silent. All eyes turned toward the corner, a tense hush replacing the chatter. Even the flicker of the chandeliers seemed louder. Nobles leaned forward, craning their necks, whispers fading into anticipation. The king's gaze sharpened, fixed on her with quiet, unreadable interest.
For a moment, time itself seemed to hold its breath — every guest waiting to see how the mysterious "Mr. Demon" would respond.
And in that pregnant silence, Saphy's small smile hinted at mischief, and the bowl of golden chips seemed to hold the power to change everything.