"What did you say? The serpent's venom? His Majesty Ares drank a glass of wine containing serpent's venom?!" Arthur nearly shouted and snapped at Vienna as if a thunderstorm had just detonated in his head. His fists clenched tightly, feeling that he had failed in his duty to protect Ares.
"I wasn't far away; why didn't you call and ask for my help, Your Majesty? I could have asked the head butler to replace it."
Vienna nodded firmly, regarding them with knowing eyes as blue as a clear midday sky. "I saw that the wine contained lumps of Serpent's venom that emitted dark green glowing smoke. I warned him. The problem isn't that simple, Arthur. If His Majesty had asked to replace the glass of wine in his hand—in the midst of all the guests' attention, it could have raised various speculations or even unwanted panic.
