"I am grateful for Your Royal Highness's concern. Upon my arrival in the imperial capital, I had the opportunity to sample these dishes at my sister's invitation. They indeed possess a distinct flavor unlike those of other regions, though I must admit they do not quite suit my taste."
To prevent Astrid from inviting him to dinner again, Earl Tristian decisively addressed the issue at its root, making it clear that the flavor did not suit him and thus cutting off any further discussion on the matter.
In truth, Astrid was merely making small talk.
Seeing that Tristian responded without revealing much, she decided not to prolong the topic and instead got straight to the point of their transaction.
"If you wish, Lord Tristian, we have plenty of opportunities to meet. Given our limited time, we might as well get down to business."
