For a long, tense moment, Julius said nothing.
The smell of warm spice hung in the air and his stomach growled audibly, loud enough for several elves to snicker.
And finally, with an exasperated sigh, he muttered,
"...Fine. I'll have one small piece."
A wave of murmurs went through the other men.
Julius quickly raised a finger and added,
"But it's not because I'm tempted! Not at all! I'm only doing this for you, Hero. Out of...diplomacy."
He nodded firmly, though his eyes were glued to the tray.
"After all, I serve the entire village's peace and wellfare! It would be rude to refuse such a generous...uh...peace offering!"
He turned to the other men with a serious look.
"Isn't that right, boys?"
Immediately, they all nodded in frantic agreement.
"Y-Yeah, peace and harmony!"
"It's not temptation!"
"We're just...uh...uniting cultures!"
"Purely symbolic tasting!"
Even as they said it, their eyes glimmered with hunger.
Luca's grin widened.
