Chapter 180: Visiting Graz I (2/2)

Ava immediately noticed the mind games Berengar was playing with her little sister and found Berengar's character to complement her own, thus making her frown in jealousy. Adela struggled with the embarrassing situation she found herself in, and eventually, she just blurted out her thoughts.

”I said I missed you too, okay!”

Afterward, she immediately began to pout, which caused Berengar to chuckle; Adela was just too cute when she was upset. Seeing the young couple getting along so well, Count Otto was incredibly pleased; it appeared as if Berengar still treated Adela well despite his infidelities; as for the Countess, she was even happier at the sight of Berengar and Adela's little ”dispute” to her it was a sign that they were meant for each other. However, she glared at Ava and her attempts to seduce Berengar; even if it was meant only as a means to provoke Adela, the young woman had gone too far. Luckily Berengar had seen through her actions and merely chose not to entertain such illicit behavior.

After saying their initial greetings, Count Otto made a suggestion.

”Berengar, you must be weary from your journey; how about we all sit down at the table and discuss your journey over a feast?”

Berengar smiled and nodded while holding Adela's hand before replying.

”Lead the way.”

With that, the group of nobles entered the castle and approached the dining hall, where they sat down in their respective seats. Ava's husband Wolfgang had witnessed her overly affectionate display when she greeted Berengar. As such was not happy with her performance, yet he was too dull to realize that it was not an earnest seduction attempt, but just a means to irritate her little sister; as such, he did not say much during the initial portion of the meal. As for Berengar, he dined upon the delicacies which Adela had brought back the recipes from Kufstein. The chefs in this castle were every bit as talented as the ones in his own, and as such, he thoroughly enjoyed the meal presented to him. As for the beer, it was still the standard light beer brewed everywhere in Europe; it was not the grandiose doppelbock or Oktoberfest beers in which he had brewed in his domain. However, it was enough to satisfy his thirst.

While sitting at the table, enjoying his meal Count Otto began to discuss with Berengar about his trip from Kufstein to Steiermark; after all, to get to the Count's territory, he had to pass through Bavarian occupied territory.

”So, how was your journey? I hope it was not exceptionally dangerous...”

Berengar shook his head as he dug into the beef rouladen sitting on his plate before answering the question.

”Not exceptionally so, there was an attack on my caravan, but with the firepower I brought with me, the Bavarians were easily repelled. There's a reason I brought so many troops with me; it seems that Salzburg has completely fallen to the Bavarians, or at least to the degree that the roads and the forts between them are under Bavarian occupation, whoever the Count of that region is, has surely failed in his duties.”

Berengar was aware that Ava's husband was the Count of Salzburg and was actively taking a jab at him; in his opinion, it was utterly disgraceful for the man to stay hiding in Graz while his brother was left to fend for the region in which Wolfgang was responsible for. As such Berengar was not afraid to insult the man directly to his face. As for Wolfgang, he was scowling at the remark. However, everyone else present at the table agreed with Berengar's statement, even if Wolfgang was too dull to realize it. Instead, the man lashed out at Berengar and used one of Ava's talking points that she had always used to scold Adela.

”If your army is so capable, why have you not brought stability to all of Austria. Instead, you hide in Tyrol like a coward!”

Berengar smirked as he heard such a poorly thought-out response, he was more than happy to spar with this man verbally. Wolfgang was clearly out of his league; as such, Berengar responded in a condescending tone as if he was educating a moron about the art of war.

”My troops are needed to protect my borders from constant invasion; even though I am working overtime to draft new troops, these things take time; I can't just create an army out of thin air. Do not worry, boy; I will have won this war by the year's end.”

Berengar, being several years younger than Wolfgang, called him ”boy,” which greatly outraged the man. However, Wolfgang could not think of a retort to such a well-thought-out statement. Instead, he merely gnashed his teeth and accepted his loss. Ava was outright disgusted with her husband's stupidity for fighting with Berengar in a war of words; after all, the man was well renowned for his quick wit. As for Adela, she was chuckling while sitting next to Berengar; the whole situation was funny to her. After this brief exchange of insults, the dust had settled, and Berengar was able to enjoy a fine meal with his fiancee; he would discuss his plans with Otto at a later date. As for Wolfgang, Berengar was more interested in conversing with his little brother about the matters at hand. The man in front of him was a dullard who would only screw up any job Berengar gave him. Thus the evening went by, and Berengar was content with his first night in Graz.