Early morning.
The dim light of winter filtered through the gaps in the velvet curtains, scattering in fragmented patches across the cold marble floor.
Sophia opened her eyes on the soft, yet still somewhat too hard, bed. The first thing she smelled was not the usual faint, dusty scent of stone, but an unprecedented, extremely rich, and warm mellow fragrance.
"Your Majesty, you are awake."
Willow approached softly and placed a tray steadily on the low table by the bedside.
Sophia sat up expressionlessly, her pale golden pupils turning slightly sluggishly toward the tray.
On it lay a ham sandwich fried to a golden crisp, made from fine white flour and preserved meat obtained from the confiscations.
But what truly seized all of Sophia's attention was the white porcelain cup beside it, filled with a white liquid that was curling with steam.
The liquid had a thick texture, its surface covered by a layer of extremely fine milk foam, gleaming with an alluring milky white luster under the morning light.
Sophia tilted her head slightly and looked at Willow, her eyes holding a trace of undisguised confusion.
Is this... could this be the milk I was dreaming of last night?!
"Your Majesty, this is Miss Irene's masterpiece."
Seeing Sophia's gaze, Willow hurriedly bowed and explained, her tone filled with admiration for that genius inventor.
"Miss Irene went to the West Tower with those strange iron buckets of hers before dawn.
"She said she wanted to research 'Directional Collection of Biological Fluids and Pasteurization Simulation' or something... this servant didn't understand...
"But later, this servant discovered that Miss Irene just took her apprentices to milk those two Leighton cows."
As Willow spoke, she carefully observed Sophia's expression.
"Miss Irene said that drinking raw cow's milk directly might contain impurities and peculiar smells.
"So she specially designed a set of multi-layer fine gauze filters and used charcoal fire to boil it three times over water.
"She said this could 'kill invisible evil microorganisms,' though this servant didn't understand what those were either...
"But in the end, she and a few bold maids tasted it first, and I tasted it too.
"We confirmed that not only is it non-toxic, but the taste is also excellent. Only then did we rush to bring it to you."
Listening to Willow's report, Sophia couldn't help but want to award Irene a 'Mason Special Grade Medal' in her heart.
Irene! You really are my god!
You even thought of sterilization! As expected of the soul of an engineering student!
The feeling of drinking hot milk in these ruins... it's simply like grabbing a scrap of heaven while in hell!
Although she was already spinning around with joy inside, the hand Sophia extended toward the porcelain cup remained steady and slow, revealing a reserve unique to royalty that kept people a thousand miles away.
She picked up the porcelain cup, the warmth transmitting through her fingertips and dispelling the morning chill.
First, she leaned in to smell it. That pure milky scent carried a hint of faint, grassy sweetness, completely devoid of the anticipated gamey odor.
Next, Sophia took a gentle sip.
In that instant, the rich and silky liquid glided across the tip of her tongue.
Sweet.
It was an extremely natural, unadorned refreshing sweetness.
The heavy and dense texture bloomed in her mouth, as if every mouthful was concentrated vitality, instantly filling a certain emptiness caused by malnutrition during this period.
Sophia's brow twitched slightly.
It's delicious!
This is a hundred times more fragrant than those packaged milks with black technology additives from my past life!
This is top-tier, pure natural, pollution-free milk!
She took another large gulp, the milk leaving a thin white ring on her upper lip.
"Not bad."
Sophia put down the porcelain cup. Her voice remained as cold as ice, even revealing a sense of objectivity as if she were 'merely tasting some strategic reserve sample.'
"Tell Irene that this processing flow can be standardized.
"Also... did you all drink some?"
Sophia paused, her pale golden pupils looking out the window.
"We only tasted a little," Willow said.
To be precise, they tested it for poison.
"Keep some of today's surplus milk for yourself, Irene, and Delilah."
Actually, Sophia just felt that the milk yield of those two cows seemed quite large. She couldn't finish it alone, and rather than letting it spoil, it was better to use it to farm some favorability.
However, when these words fell into Willow's ears, the flavor changed instantly.
"Your Majesty, you actually intend to bestow such sacred, such precious 'White Holy Water' upon us?"
Willow's voice trembled, and tears of emotion even welled up in her eyes.
"That is a treasure you personally tested and confirmed to have the effect of the 'Light of Life'!
"You would rather drink less yourself to bestow it upon us?
"Such compassion that cares not only for the soul but also for the bodies of those around you..."
Willow knelt heavily on the ground, her tone fanatical:
"This servant understands! I will go do it immediately. This is not just milk; this is Your Majesty's divine grace!"
After refilling the half-cup in front of Sophia, Willow held the remaining half-bucket of milk and walked out as solemnly as if she were holding sacred bones.
Inside the Bedchamber, Sophia looked at Willow's retreating figure and fell into a deep silence.
I was just afraid it would taste bad if it expired, and I was worried about getting diarrhea if I drank too much of that stuff.
Why does it sound, coming from her mouth, like I'm distributing something very holy?
Sophia sighed, picked up the porcelain cup again, and enjoyed this rare tranquility scented with milk in the quiet of the morning.
Meanwhile, outside the Bedchamber, Willow was waiting seriously.
Not long after, Willow knocked on the door of Delilah's room.
Willow held the half-bucket of milk, yet her steps carried the solemnity of attending a coronation ceremony.
Because Delilah had traveled far to the Kingdom of Leighton for trade a few days ago and had performed a great service, Sophia had specially granted her a day off.
At this moment, Delilah had just finished washing up and was sitting by the window, carefully wiping her longsword with a piece of coarse cloth. That was her habit as a martial artist.
Even in this palace filled with the smell of muskets, she still maintained absolute loyalty to the sword.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Delilah sheathed her sword, her gaze looking sharply toward the door.
Willow pushed the door open and entered. The bucket in her arms, wiped until it shone, seemed to contain some rare treasure.
She walked in front of Delilah, her expression more serious than ever before, even carrying a few degrees of sanctity.
"Miss Delilah, please accept this 'Holy Grant'."
Willow carefully poured a large bowl of the still-warm milk for Delilah. The mellow milky white color reflected upon Delilah's confused face.
"This is?"
"This is the 'Holy Water' bestowed upon us by Your Majesty."
Willow took a deep breath, her tone carrying a worship bordering on fanaticism.
"This is the first batch of essence produced by those two dairy cows after arriving in Mason. Your Majesty personally tasted it and confirmed that it possesses the effect of 'replenishing vitality'.
"Originally, such a divine object should have been exclusively for Your Majesty's enjoyment. But Your Majesty kept your exhausting journey in mind and specially instructed that the first batch of 'Holy Water' produced must be shared with you."
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