When the lid of each plate was lifted, revealing the steaming hot dishes inside, the butler would stand by and introduce,
"Tonight's dinner is French baked snails, Spanish casserole, red wine braised beef, German fried pork knuckle, and vegetable salad."
Nightmare was a carnivore and disliked those servings where a spoonful of food was placed on a large plate; for him, portion and texture were indispensable.
But as he looked at the table full of sumptuous dishes, he lost his appetite, which made Queen Melina Ramirez, sitting across the long table, notice he had something on his mind, so she also put down her knife and fork.
"Is tonight's dinner not to your taste? I'll have the kitchen redo it for you."
Nightmare shook his head.
"The Europeans want us to supply their army with provisions and food supplies."
The Queen was puzzled.
"Two or three thousand people, they shouldn't eat much, isn't a few million enough?"
"Ha, do you know what they say they want to eat?"
