Chapter 5: A Recipe for Disaster

Hiroshi couldn't recall the last time he'd consumed something more exotic than instant noodles, so when Arkanis told him that he was going to be attending a royal banquet at the Elven Capital, "nervous" didn't even come close.

"You'll be fine," Arkanis had smiled, showing his usual grin. "Just keep this in mind: don't offend anyone, don't spill anything, and for goodness' sake, don't speak of the mushrooms."

"What mushrooms?" Hiroshi had inquired, but Arkanis had held up his hand and instructed him to forget it, grumbling something about "old feuds" and "best left unsaid.".

And now Hiroshi was standing in front of a majestic hall that seemed to exude class at both ends. Gigantic pillars draped with flowering vines lined the room, and crystal chandeliers suspended high up seemed to be floating in mid-air. A wooden dining table of single-piece wood, which had been enchanted with magic, ran the length of the hall, laden with dishes that seemed like masterpieces rather than food.

Elven nobles occupied the room, their dainty steps and finely embroidered robes causing Hiroshi to be acutely self-conscious in his humble, borrowed tunic. Altheria stood beside him, exuding an air of dignified self-assurance as she spoke to the gathered throng.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she started, her crisp voice slicing through the soft whispers, "tonight, we have the privilege to receive Hiroshi Takeda, the Chosen Sovereign of the Prophecy. His arrival signals a new era for our kingdom."

Hiroshi winced at the emphasis on "Chosen Sovereign" but plastered on what he hoped was a sufficient smile. The nobles politely applauded, although Hiroshi couldn't help but notice the incredulous looks and murmurs that ensued.

Please sit down," Altheria ordered, pointing towards the chair at the far end of the table. Hiroshi stood for a second in hesitation before awkwardly making his way to the assigned seat, attempting not to fall over his own feet.

The dinner started in style. Servants swirled into the dining room, bearing trays laden with dishes that were too pretty to consume. Little soups shone with edible gold leaf, salads had been constructed like little landscapes, and sweets twinkled like cut gems. Hiroshi gazed down at his plate, getting more out of his depth by the second.

"Not bad, right?" Arkanis panted from where he lay beside Hiroshi, snagging a handful of what appeared to be glowing berries.

"I don't have any idea what half of this is," Hiroshi panted back, regarding a dish that appeared to be squirming.

"BETTER YOU DO NOT ASK," Arkanis winked.

Hiroshi nervously picked up his fork, attempting to copy the dainty eating style of the elves he was among. He had just taken a bite of something soft and flowery when a voice snapped across the subdued background clamor.

"Address us, Chosen Sovereign," started one of the nobles, his voice polite but acid-tipped. "What are your intentions to help ease the tensions between our people and the dwarfs?"

The room went silent and Hiroshi almost gagged on his mouthful. He swallowed, looking at Altheria, who gave him a very pointed *Choose your words wisely.*

"Uh… well," Hiroshi started, his brain trying to think of an answer. "I think the solution to tensions is, um, understanding one another's points of view. You know, agreeing on things and… uh… establishing trust."

The noble arched an eyebrow. "A noble idea. And how do you plan to do that?"

Hiroshi stiffened. "Uh… well…"

Before he could stumble further, Brunhilda's voice boomed from the other end of the table. "Simple! The elves need to stop acting like they own the mountains, and then maybe we'll talk!"

Hiroshi turned to see the Dwarf Queen striding into the hall, her hammer slung casually over her shoulder. Gasps rippled through the room as the elven nobles bristled at her unannounced arrival.

"Brunhilda," Altheria spat coldly, her eyes narrowing. "You weren't invited to the party."

"Like I care," Brunhilda replied, sinking into the chair. "If this would-be hero is going to flop it, I figured I'd at least get a good look."

Hiroshi hunched further into his seat, wishing he could just vanish.

"I promise you, Hiroshi is better at it than you credit him," Altheria declared steadily, her voice as cold as an winter's evening.

"Able? Hmph!" Brunhilda giggled, taking a roasted drumstick off the buffet in front of them. "This young fella can't so much as lift a hammer if his very existence hinged upon it!"

"Leadership is not gauged only by one's strength," Altheria riposted.

As the two leaders started to argue, Hiroshi grew more and more frantic. The atmosphere was charged, and he could sense a fear that it was all going to fall apart on them.

Desperate to break the tension, Hiroshi set his glass of wine down and stood up. "If I might…", he started, raising his glass.

The room fell silent as they all stared at him.

"To… unity," Hiroshi groaned, his words shaking. "May we all be able to cooperate and, uh, bring peace to the world."

He raised the wine, hoping the motion would be embellished. Ah, but as he swallowed, his lips drew back in horror. The wine was sour and bitter, much stronger than anything he had previously consumed.

Hiroshi retched, doubling over with coughs as gasps and murmurs burst through the room. For good measure, he overbalanced his glass, pouring the contents onto the immaculate white tablecloth.

Oh no."' snarled Hiroshi, catching himself.

Altheria winced, rubbing the bridge of her nose. Brunhilda's yell of laughter echoed across the table. "Well, that went as well as I'd hoped!"

Hiroshi slid back in his chair, burning with embarrassment at the flush that rose to his cheeks. *This is going to be a long night,* he told himself.