As the poison taster remained frozen, the council erupted in panic.
"See?! It's poisonous, Your Majesty!"
"We must exterminate that hog feed at once!"
"We would've died if we touched it!"
Claude's patience snapped. He slammed the table with a loud bang, silencing the room. The force echoed through the hall like thunder.
"Silence! Let him speak first!"
The room quieted instantly, all eyes snapping back to the taster, who stood stiff as a statue. A thick tension hung in the air.
Some of the nobles still whispered, doubting Claude's judgment, their mutterings like annoying flies buzzing in his ears.
Claude rolled his eyes at their theatrics.
Then finally, the poison taster swallowed and spoke.
"This is delicious, Your Majesty!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with genuine amazement.
"Smooth and soft… the saltiness of the cheese, the creaminess of the milk—it melts on my tongue!"
He beamed. "I feel no trace of poison at all!"
