One Drink Too Many | ASMR Roleplay (1500s table etiquette, plotting, music from another room)

(sounds of a ball from another room)

Lord, I didn't see you.

Yes I shouldn't sit in this chair
but there's no one here right now,

is there?

Even the servants are still
in the kitchens.

But what are you doing here
in the shadows?

Hiding? From whom?

Most people normally enjoy that,
you know.

Especially young women.

But I understand you,

I despise dancing.

No matter how many musicians
the Duke filled his house with.

I prefer the quiet
and being alone most of the time.

I'm Margerite Parnelle,

and you are..?

Ah, a traveller then.

Have you come as a kind of ambassador
or something?

How about that?

So you are to take part
in the Council tomorrow.

Would you like some wine?

It looks like we have
to help ourselves for now.

So tell me, what are
the latest cities you've visited?

Madrid and Toledo...

How you must miss the warmth
of the sunlight then.

There.

I see your hands have had quite a day.

Perhaps you're not very familiar
with our manners here?

You are in the Duke's house.

And even if I don't like the man,

there are certain things you need to know
if you don't want to be considered...

Ill-mannered.

We still have time.

First things first,
you have to wash your hands before supper.

Let's start here, shall we?

Now here is an important thing,

washing your hands
before sitting at the table

is the right moment to get rid
of your negative thoughts.

As you're wiping your hands,
let only good thoughts enter your mind.

And this will set the mood for the entire night.

Everyone will do so...

...and we shall have a pleasant supper.

Nevertheless,

I fear this will prove inadequate
to absolve the Duke

of his negative thoughts and schemes.

Now, are your familiar
with the number of courses?

You might want to know
how many dishes to expect,

so you don't rush on
the first on you see.

We are at the Duke's table,

and that means we are to expect
at least 7 courses.

Especially tonight,
as he will try to make an impression

with this display of wealth.

This is how things work:

if you are among the highest ranks of society,

such as a cardinal,

it is customary to entertain your guests
with no less than 9 courses.

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight, and nine.

A bishop, a duke or a marquise,
will offer 7 courses.

But beware, one course may imply
3 or 4 dishes at once.

We may start with pottage,
or a thick broth with meat,

pies, with vegetables, and fritters.

Next we'll have so many dishes of meat
that the table will be bursting.

And the last courses may include
sliced cheese, various creams,

strawberries, candied fruits
and plums stewed in rose-water.

And wine of course,

enough wine to drown all the musicians
over there in one go actually.

Lower-ranking lords such as Lord Surrey
or Lady Beauchamp

would serve from 3 to 6 courses.

Although they're so tight-fisted

I'm pretty sure they would
only serve 1 if they could.

And as the guests arrive,

there is a designated seating arrangement
for everyone to follow

when they get to the table.

Of course, the master of the house
will sit here where I really shouldn't be.

Next to him are important people
such as his wife,

or guests he might want to keep at hand,

such as you, I suppose?

You didn't choose this chair by accident?

And next...

We'll find his close friends
or high-ranking guests.

And the further away
you sit from the Duke,

the lower the rank you belong to.

Now if you are to sit
with the Council tomorrow,

you might need to know a bit more
about the guests

and why the Duke invited them.

How acquainted are you with him?

Well, tonight's supper is not
just for entertainment,

I'm pretty sure you've heard the rumours.

He has plans of course.

He's a Duke.

Everyday he's trying to increase his power,

and step closer to the throne.

And he's not alone.

Everywhere his spies and henchmen
are working to rally around to help him.

He's getting closer,

and he's moving his final pawns.

Some whispers in the corridors
talk about a rebellion tomorrow, at the council,

and the more lords will follow him,

the easier it will be.

Alas, he's struggling to find support
among those who count the most.

And tonight's guests are loyal
to the Crown

and would probably remain so
even if they are treated

to the most lavish meals
and finest wines.

Money, however....

Money can change many allegiances.

And the whispers told me
that one of tonight's guests

has already moved over
to the treacherous side.

A certain conniver is among us,
and has actively been helping the Duke

by raising funds so he can buy
every voice that matters:

yours, mine, everyone's here.

The presence of this accomplice
will be decisive for the Duke

and he's been looking forward
to this evening

with the greatest impatience.

But who can this mysterious support be?

The Earl of Brampton?

Who'd sell his very own mother
to be the next High Councillor.

Lady Mabel, who has stepped over
no less than 3 coffins

to marry the Prince's cousin?

Or Lord Spencer?

Deeply in debt, he has indeed
been seen selling his wife's jewelry

down to the last brooch.

Yes, they're loyal to the crown,

but we all have our weaknesses
and while our host may be unsubtle,

he knows where the flaw lies.

I'm here to find who the snake his
and stop them

before they can open the purse.

No bribes,

no allies for the Duke,

no more rebellion,

and a new head to the Crown's collection.

And the Council might need a new leader.

More wine?

Oh don't look at me like that,
I said I would stop them,

not kill them,

I'm not a murderer.

I have my own ways.

Now back to the supper.

Once we are all seated,

your hands must remain visible
on the table at all times.

Especially for a man seating next to a woman,
as we don't want to imagine...

You know.

Anyway stay away from Brampton's hands
if you can.

And never put your elbows on the table.

That is ill-mannered.

Take your napkin, and put it on your lap,

you can also have it on your left shoulder,

indeed many do find it easier
to wipe their fingers,

or their knives.

And it's a good opportunity to hit
and chase away the devil sitting on it.

However, I suspect the devil is sitting
on both of the Duke's shoulders.

The knife...

Usually we are supposed to bring
our own knife and spoon,

but again,

the Duke is showing off and has chosen
to display his own luxurious cutlery.

That is quite uncommon.

Spoons are very personal items.

Anyway this is what you will mainly use

as you will sample small portions
from the dishes of your choice.

Here is an important thing:

the Duke will have his own dish
for every course,

never take anything from there,
even if it's close to you.

Lower ranked lords may share a dish
for 2 or 4,

and I would highly suggest some of them
to employ a taster.

You and I will probably share one dish
along with 2 other people.

You will mostly use
your 3 first fingers to eat.

Never use your left hand.

And that is why your napkin
is very important.

No matter what Lord Spencer does,
don't spill food on the tablecloth,

eat without making a mess,

and if any food falls on the floor,

pick it up,
but do not eat it.

Do not feed the dogs either,
these fat, ugly and hairy creatures

the Duke brings with him everywhere.

More wine?

And if there is any food left
in the dishes at the end of each course,

do not touch it.

It will be used for the servants.

Yes, they actually need to eat.

Oh no, the Duke would have chosen
to make his move long before that.

I fear most of the guests will already
be drunk when they join the table, so...

He won't wait too long to make his offer.

That's why I must act quickly.

Given that half of us will already
be sleeping by the end of the supper,

would anyone really notice
someone dozing of a little bit earlier?

Who?

I'm not sure yet.

But I'm so close.

Look...

This is something I've stumbled upon
in the drawing room's fireplace.

Pieces of a letter,

received by the Duke,
probably yesterday or today.

We can find the sum collected and I feel
it might reveal the identity of our conspirator,

but I can't seem to connect
most of the pieces.

Look..

(mumbling)

On this one, 4000.... of what?

I can't read anything on this one.

This one is not helpful.

Lord Surrey? Is that so?

Maybe there is something I missed.

The main part is missing.

If only I could...

(chatter and people coming in the room)