Just like what Gian expected, the drought happened in their kingdom a month after some plants died in the Southern part of their kingdom. This drought makes a huge difference in everyone's lives. The people in their kingdom are suffering from hot and dry weather. Gian thought that even though there are a lot of changes since he returned back in time, nature was still the same.
The remaining stocks of their sugar and teas were quickly sold out and if someone attempts to buy these things from their neighboring country, then they should pay a higher price for it. But of course, they would not dare to risk such a clumsy idea just because they want to have sugar and tea on their cupboards. And also, they are not that willing to buy those for a higher price than the usual price they usually pay to have it.
Just then, their kingdom learned about the new products that the Cres Val had introduced lately in the market. Instead of sugar, they are selling jars of dark-colored honey. According to the shop owners, they can use it as a substitute for sugar.
They are also selling two kinds of tea— Hibiscus tea and Lavender tea. These two have an unusual appearance. This tea was put inside a small silk pouch called tea bags. If they want to have a taste of it, it is said that you have to put the small pouches inside the cup and let it soak for some minutes instead of boiling it.
At first, people are hesitating to try their new products. Some still doubt if they can use honey as a substitute for sugar. Even the nobles are doubtful of the tea bags they are selling. It's not really a surprising reaction to Russel. People tend to be doubtful and scared of the things they are not accustomed to doing. But of course, Russel has a solution for this kind of problem.
Russel suggested holding a party. He told Gian about it and explain the details of his plan. Russel wants to use the Cres Val's reputation and influence to introduce their products. Russel told Gian to hold a party and use their new products on it. When Gian conveys this idea, the Marquis considers this idea for a while.
When they thought that the Marquis will reject their idea, Frederick told Gian that they will be having a party in the Royal Palace in the second week of the month. Gian was surprised not because his father approved of their plan, but because they got permission to use the Royal Palace to hold a party for the nobles. He knows that the Cres Val and the Royal family are once relative because of his father's younger sister. But Gian didn't expect that their family still has a special privilege like this from the Royal family, especially when the King had introduced a new Queen to their kingdom.
Gian always has a bitter taste in his mouth whenever he thinks of the Royal family. He can still remember that the cause of his family's death is the Royal family. By just looking at the current situation, The Cres Val family and the Royal family are in good terms. Not only that, but it also seems like his father and the current King are in a friendly relationship with each other.
Then why do they need to execute their family in his past life? Did his family do something that provoked the anger of the Royal family? Or the Royal family is the first who betrayed the loyalty and trust of his family? Or maybe someone is manipulating everything behind their backs?
Butler Del prepared the invitations and send them to the nobles in high society. The invitation indicates that the Cres Val will be hosting a tea party in the Royal Palace three days from now. When the nobles received the invitation, mostly half of the nobles are excited and ecstatic. It is not because of the party, but because they will have a chance to communicate with the Cres Vals.
Even though the Cres Val family didn't have the highest rank in their society, no one can really underestimate their influences and power. To be related to a family who has good ties with the Royal family will be a huge advantage for them. Even though the former Queen was already dead, the Cres Val family maintained their position in terms of political and social status. The current Marquis was still the one leading the transaction between the kingdom and their neighboring countries, while his eldest son is a General of the Red Tiger Knights. If someone will become allied with the Cres Val family, with their current status and influences, no one will be disadvantaged.
While they are preparing for the party, Gian teaches the servants in their mansion how to prepare the hibiscus and lavender tea. Gian didn't let them go until they fully understand the proper procedure of preparing their new product. But in fact, it was Russel and not Gian who didn't let them go easily. Russel wants them to properly do it so when they serve the tea at the party, no one will commit a single mistake.
Russel asked Gian to instruct their chefs to prepare snacks with honey as a base ingredient to make it sweet. Russel planned to surprise the guest with the use of these treats. Aside from tea, Russel also teaches Gian how to make a honey lemon water. Because of drought, they both decided that they will serve it chilled at the party.
The preparation for the party is going smoothly. Everyone thought that nothing bad will happen. It is until the night before the party when the people in the mansion are in an uproar.
Gian, the one who plans the whole party, is sick. He suddenly has a high fever and has a slight difficulty in breathing. Everyone in the mansion is a concern for their young master. He was fine all day, but he suddenly collapsed while giving his report to the Marquis. The stay-in doctor quickly examined Gian. After the check-up, the doctor said it is due to over fatigue with the combination of the hot weather that causes Gian's sudden sickness.
Marquis Cres Val has a grave expression while Viel is ordering the servants to prepare all the things they needed to lower down Gian's fever. Russel can see what is happening while he was placed on the side table. Though the servants are composed and calm, their actions are swift and move without showing any hesitation. It only means that Gian's situation is nothing new for them.
Viel instructed the servants to leave Gian's room for a while. Before leaving the room, the doctor gives a small bottle of medicine to Butler Del and instructs him to feed this medicine to Gian every four hours. After that, only the Marquis, Viel, and Gian were left in the room. Gian feels slightly refreshed after a servant wiped his face and neck with a towel soaked in cold water, although his face was still red due to fever.
"...You should stay here tomorrow to take a rest." Viel started. "We don't know what will happen if we force you to attend the party even though you are obviously not feeling well."
"Viel is right. I think we can handle the party tomorrow. You should prioritize your body first." Marquis Cres Val added.
"But—"
"You heard the doctor. You got sick because of fatigue. You should have taken a lot of rest too. See what happened to you now." Viel said as he walks towards Gian and runs his fingers through his hair. His actions are gentle yet the words he speaks are full of playfulness. "Ah! My heart is aching to see my little brother getting sick like this."
Gian weakly slaps his older brother's hand away from his head. He is currently in this situation, and yet Viel is still trying to annoy him. Does Viel want him to die in annoyance?
"Stop teasing your brother, Viel. Let him take a good rest." Marquis Cres Val scolded Viel before looking at Gian. "We are just concerned about your health. You should take a rest until you recover. Don't think too much about the party tomorrow. We can handle it with ease and make it successful."
With his father's resolute voice, Gian doesn't have any choice but to weakly nod his head. If the Marquis will handle it, Gian is sure that he can make the party successful. And besides, Gian already told his father all the details about the products they will be introducing to the nobles tomorrow. He is confident that his father can handle it with ease.
After speaking a little more, Frederick and Viel left the room to let Gian have a rest. When Gian is sure that no one is near his room, he slowly sits his body on the bed and reaches for the pen placed on the side table.
"Dude, just rest. It's actually free of charge, you know." Russel said.
"What do you think?" Gian asked, ignoring Russel's words. "Do you think it is alright to let them do the preparation?"
"Why asked me if you already made a decision?" Russel asked Gian instead. "But, I think they can also do a good job. With your father's ability, he can surely make the party successful."
When Gian heard Russel's opinion about it, he then finally let out a sigh and lay on his bed again. Gian also thinks that he also really needs to rest. In the end, Gian covers himself with a blanket and closes his eyes.
It's been a long time since Gian feels very sick just like this. When he lived as a commoner in his past life, it was rare for him to get sick. Maybe his body adapted to the weather and place where he lived during that time.
On the bed, Gian was sleeping and letting out a soft uniform breathing. Russel let out a sigh seeing that Gian was finally okay. In truth, Russel panicked a lot when Gian suddenly collapsed earlier. Even if these things are frequently happening in the mansion, Russel thinks that he can never get used to it.
While looking out for Gian, Russel is also thinking of the party tomorrow. It is true that both of them don't have any opinion if they will leave all the details to Gian's father. Russel didn't know why, but his instincts tell him that something bad will happen tomorrow. Russel can only hope that it is just his imagination.