Desiderio Domini

Chapter 16

“At the kitchen, we hope you are all satisfied with the first batch of our courses and let me all remind you that we barely even made it through half of what we have in store for all of you, esteemed guests! Next is Releve! Roasted Lamb Rack Garnished with Whiskey. Taste the delectable baked meat seasoned with fresh vegetables.”

Now we’re talking.

Whiskey, eh?

A barely legal alcohol for barely legal children like me and prince but as I have learned so far in enchanteds’ cooking quirks, basta isinasahog sa mga putahe, pwede ang alak kahit undearaged ang kakain.

Leave it to them to find a loophole in the statute.

Maingat kong ginayat ang maliit na piraso ng tupa at isinubo ito.

Unang kagat pa lang, lasa ko na ang alak but it indeed enhanced the tenderness and flavor of the otherwise common meat. Nakatulong din pampatanggal ng strong flavor ng whiskey ang mga gulay.

As usual naka dalawa o tatlong maliliit na subo lang ang emperatrist at ang kanyang cabinet of ministers as his son ravages the meat on his plate with much gusto.

I decided na it is time para sagutin ko ang tanong nila kung bakit kailangan ko pa ng approval ng iba even if technically speaking, with proper setting, environment and person, kaya kong maging Necromancer on my own rather easily.

“I want to be accepted,” I said flatly sa leader ng imperyo na nagpatitig lang sa kaniya sa akin, “Buong buhay ko sinusuka na ako ng ibang tao na hindi nakakaintindi sa aking kalagayan. Gusto kong mabuhay sa labas ng marquisate ng normal without relying on my noble position to command respect. I yearn to be seen for who I really am as a person, hindi kung ano ang elemento na pinanghahawakan ko. I am more than a wielder of the darkness. I am so much more bilang tao para katakutan na lang basta-basta.”

“So you decided to try and fit in,” simpleng tugon ni Caspar na puno na ng amos ang bibig and I just couldn’t help myself leaving him like that kaya kinuha ko ang tuwalya sa tabi ng plato ko na hindi ko nagamit at all at ipinahid ito sa kaniyang bibig which made him stare at me in surprise.

Tumango ako at pilit na ngumiti despite my feelings of utmost sadness and rejection, “Oo. Nagpilit akong umaktong normal, taliwas sa kung sino talaga ako.”

“You managed to get a position in a guild good enough for them to send you to represent them to me.”

I looked at the empress and smiled lopsidedly, “Seryoso, ako lang talaga ang bakante noon at ang abot sa requirements of an underaged, virgin, girl from a mortal’s guild.”

 Nabilaukan ang prinsipe sa nakinig niya at nagtawanan ang mga ministro sa lamesa namin because he blushed profusely as I patted his back and forced him to drink water, “A virgin?! Bakit kailangang virgin, nanay?!”

“Huwag ka nang magtanong. Ginawa ko iyon para din sa iyo if ever makuha ko na dilag ay matitipuhan mo,” she snapped at her that left him flabbergasted , “I think I should be thankful na hindi kayo nagkagustuhan. Mas may mapapakinabang ako sa iyo, my dear.”

“And that is?”

She raised her glass of wine to me and winked, “All in due time, Vladira.”

Hindi na ako nakapag-usisa pa dahil dumating na ang follow-up course namin and it is better than the last, that’s for sure.

“Roti is up next. Braised Quail in Red Wine with Leek and Lentils, fitting course next to that scrumptous lamb you have finished, be delighted, esteemed guests!”

Napatingin ako sa plato na inilapag sa akin in amazement, “Ibang level talaga ang food presentating ng mga enchanteds compared sa mga tao. Every dish is more glamorous and eye-pleasing than the last.”

“Unlike mortals and other beings, we don’t do things half-assed. Kung maghahanda kami, it will always be good enough to be written down in our history archives. Lalo’t may bisita kami gaya mo, would you expect nothing less from us? Me, the empress herself?”

Ngumiti naman ako gratefully and smiled as the rest of her cabinet minsters raised a glass for me, “I just didn’t expect this kind of welcome, is all. Kahit noong nabubuhay pa ang mga magulang ko, there were never parties or gatherings at all in our marquisate’s name. We are outcasts even among the nobilities, treated lower than barons.”

“One of the many reasons why I hated mortals. Lahat na lang ng extraordinary, distinguished at kakaiba, they will shun them with prejudice without second thought. Always conforming to the norms. How droll.”

Tumango naman agad si Caspar after shoving the last piece of quail in his mouth happily, “Insulto ang matawag na normal at nakikibagay. Well, at least for me that is.”

“Not trully hopeless as an enchanted, thank god,” naiiling na singit ng nanay sa anak that made the rest of us in the table chuckle a little, “But what he said is correct, for a change. Kaya nga kita napili diba. You stand out among the rest. Siguro hindi ka pa ganoon kagaling in the boring ways of blending in.”

I just smiled in answer as the tenth course arrived and this time, they’re fruits.

“Legumes for your tired stomachs! Fruit Salad in Limoncello Liquer! Flirt with your tastebuds with these fresh assortments of handpicked cantaloupe, pineapples, grapes, strawberries and blueberries garnished with fresh herbs!”

I was about to remark on the generous amount of liquor on the salad plate but I met the searing eyes of the empress and decided to keep my mouth shut as we watched her son cleaned his plate quickly not even a minute after it was served in front of him.

Ngumiti na lang ako at nakipagchikahan sa ibang minstro while we await the next course which came as fast as the Imperial Crown Prince finished his plate.

“Salades! And yes, less meat for now as we want you all to look forward to the divine meaty cuisines our chefs at the imperial kitchen is cooking as we speak. For now, be satisfied with the Salade Verte ala Cider. Tossed masterfully and carefully, we are sure you will adore the flavourful vinegar we used!”

Or the healthy amount of apple cider alcohol content in this salad. Kung hindi siguro ako nagpalit ng sikmura kanina, baka kanina pa ako lasing kakakain ng mga pagkain na niluto sa, o may kasamang, alak.

“Tell me your honest thoughts about enchanteds as a whole now that you have met and talked to them in person?”

I looked at the empress and her cabinet ministers before answering her question in a single sentence, “Kung wala siguro ang anak mo, kanina pa ako nagmakaawang pauwin mo, with all due respect, of course.”

“So you are saying na mas natuwa ka pang kausap ang pakawalang batang ito kaysa sa ibang mga engkanto at engkantada?” the curious leader asked before taking a long sip from her glass, “That is quite odd, seryoso.”

Tumawa naman ng malakas si Caspar matapos niyang tumahimik saglit habang nililinis ang kaniyang plato na parang walang laman to begin with ngayon.

Inilahad niya ang kaniyang mga kamay and summoned a large flurry of ice and snow that formed a screen of sorts sa ibabaw ng aming lamesa and soon enough, it showed the two of us earlier sa restaurant habang nag-iintay ng order namin.

“Isa kang...”

“Tao.”

I felt my face became flustered ng makita ko kung paano ako nawalan ng pustura at lumaglag na lang ang panga ko sa rebelasyon na nalaman ko that blew away my mind so hard, hindi ako nakaimik agad.

Nakatunganga lang ako kay Caspar with my mouth wide open and unblinkingly stare at him because even if I have my doubts, hindi pa din ako makapaniwala sa aking nalaman at all coming straight from him.

The ministers and ministresses laughed among themselves with the empress after they watched that embarassing scene before the prince disperesed the snow and ice.

Pinakita nito sa mga kasamahan namin sa lamesa ang kaniyang daliri na may bakas ng hiwa hanggang ngayon, “Pinakita ko sa kaniya ang dugo ko kasi alam kong hindi siya maniniwala ng walang ebidensya. Exact same expression.”

“Well, I guess I have to thank you for sharing that priceless look on her face to me rather than hoarding it all for yourself, Caspar,” natatawang sabi ni Empress Iseria as she giggled a little in my direction, “Now you know bakit ko sinabing isang malaking pagkakamali ang anak ko.”

I inclined my head a little, “While I cannot comment on your point of view about it, what I can say for sure is you can do a lot worse, Your Majesty.”

“Cheers!” tugon na lang nito noncomittally as we raised our glasses at her before the waiters and waitresses arrived again to serve our twelfth course.

“Buffet Froid is next! Indulge in our kitchen’s proud creation! Jambon de Poulet, Battered in Beer for your delight! Be mindful of the chicken ham’s tenderness, it melts in your mouth, not in your plates!”

Mabilis ko namang inupakan ang bagong dating na cuisine dahil gumana ang pampagutom ng gulay at prutas. Kailangan ko ulit makatikim ng karne para may makagat akong matigas-tigas.

Pinanuod lang kami ng empress as me and her son ate while chatting at each other cordially.

Pero parang may napapansin ako dito kay Caspar.

Parang hindi na siya ganoon kakwento at daldal.

Oh well, baka gawa ng madaming pagkain na tinitira niya kanina pa.

Ilang minuto lang ang nakalipas at dumating na ang panghimagas signalling na malapit na pala kaming magtapos sa pagkain finally.

“Entremets! Succulent Crepe Suzette flamed with Curacao Liquer and Bombe Glacee Medley, various icy treats Encanteria is famous for. Be sure to have your tongues ready because this will be a desert luxury for the ages!”

Mabilis akong kumain ng something na hindi naman ulam finally or salad pero as usual, may halo pa ding alak ang mga ito kahit pang matamis na.

Patapos na ang seventeen course dinner at tiyak malalaman ko din kung ano nga ba ang endgame ng empress who keeps on feeding us with liquor laced food from the start of the meal.

“Ayos ka lang ba, Caspar?” maingat kong tanong sa katabi ko as he seriously ate his desserts quickly but awfully quiet.

He nodded and looked at me as if it is me who is acting weird, “I’m fine. Bakit mo ba tinatanong?”

“Oh no, nothing, just a mortal thing to do. You know, laging magtanong kung ayos lang ang isang tao and all that,” segway ko na lang as he nodded slowly and pointed at my food.

“Kainin mo, ang sasarap ng mga minatamis dito sa amin. I doubt you will ever taste something so delectable pag-balik mo sa Sapienos.”

Tumango na lang ako at kumain na as he instructed.

He is really weirding me out.

Hindi naman namumula ang mukha niya at ayos naman ang pagsasalita niya for me to think of him as getting drunk or something pero nag-iba talaga ang ugali niya little by little.

“Savoreux for your noses! It may smell quite pungent but we assure you, the Champignons Sur Croute cooked in Pinot Noir will attract your tastebuds as much as it attracted the attention of your noses!”

I looked at the small plate before me full of  truffles, onion and cream cooked in butter and garnished with bread. Tumikim ako and aside from the smell, talagang masarap nga at nagkaroon ako ng bagong pag-galang sa alak at sa naitutulong nito sa pagpapasarap ng mga simpleng pagkain.

“By the way, my Imperial Aides already made contact with Neox Sodality. Naipadala na namin ang monetary aid and the gifts we have from our vault will be given to you personally at your own choosing before you leave hear a year from now,” the empress said to me and I bowed my head gratefully as I try to imagine the shock of my guildmates when they learned na ako ang napili.

“Gulat na gulat siguro ang mga iyon dahil basta na lang nila ako pinapunta doon without even bothering to prepare me physically for the selection. To be honest, balak ko pa sanang mamasyal sa Libertad after your visit.”

The ministeress for foreign affairs shook her head at natatawang sumagot sa akin, “On the contrary, parang ineexpect na nila na ikaw ang mapipili. Hindi na nagulat ang Guild Hero at Madam mo when we contacted them shortly after your arrival here.”

“Well, at least that particular guild knows how to pick real talents and unique individuals,” sunod ni Empress Iseria as she allowed her now oddly quiet son to fill up her glass with more wine, “Sa lahat ng guilds ng mga mortal, ang pinanggalingan mo lang ang nakikita kong mautak sa pamimili ng mga miyembro.”

I nodded and raised my glass of sparkling water to which she answered cordially as the waiters and waitresses brought our fifteenth course.

“Fromage from all over Gaia! These selection will take you around the world! Cheddar from Tribon, Edam from Tundria, Brie from Agart, Demi-Sel from Talulot, Ricotta from Laudaniana, Parmesan from Giganto, Cabrales from Gracias, Feta from Viceral, Kasilyo from Menardi and finally, Malagos from Rabiwa. All garnished and accompanied by butter, cellery and crackers to your heart’s content!”

Napataas naman ako ng kilay sa sampung klaseng keso na inihain sa harap ko, “You managed to get something from Caulre?”

I am talking about the nigh-legendary continent of  the leprechauns. Ang lugar sa dulo ng bahaghari na puno ng ginto at ibat’-ibang mga elemento.

Ito rin ang sinasabing unang kontinente na binisita ng kauna-unahang Neomancer para tulungan at suportahan.

“Oh, yes. Hindi gaya ng mga mortal at ibang nilalang na hindi alam kung saan maghahanap, we always have a map detailing exactly where it is, for the day, that is.”

Napatingin ako sa empress as she giggled at my incredulous expression dahil hindi ko malaman kung binibiro niya ako or not.

“I’m telling the truth. Tell you what, I will let you in on a little secret of ours since may malapit kang kaibigan na Neomancer. Maglayag ka papunta sa dulo ng mundo sa hilaga, tingnan mo kung saan ang simula ng unang bahaghari na makikita mo and follow it. Sooner rather than later, mararating mo ang Caulre. You see, ang mapa namin ay tinuturo lang kung saan madalas magkaroon ng bahaghari sa norte, not exactly where their continent can be found.”

I nodded and smiled a little, “I will surely keep that in mind pag natripan ni Mors na puntahan ang holy land ng mga Neomancer gaya niya.”

“He should go there once in his life. After-all, ang laging tanong sa amin ng mga leprichauns ay kung may mortal na Neomancer ang mga tao at kung makakapunta ba ito sa kanila. They have so much to thank for and teach to the descendants of the first all-knowing and all-powerful mortal in the world, even more so than us enchanteds,” the leader of Tundria said as she nibbled a slice of Kiselya pensively, “Naaalala ko pa din as if it was just yesterday ng tumapak sa Encanteria ang unang Neomancer para maghimala at magpahayag ng mabuting balita mula sa taas. I kissed his feet and he blessed me before crowning me as the empress of the empire.”

Napataas ang kilay ko sa aking nakinig, “You let a mere mortal crown you?”

“You don’t understand, my dear. Sa oras na tinanggap ng Neomancer ang calling niya and follow the will of god, he stops being mortal entirely. He is the closest thing we have to god physically. A vessel, if you will, of the omnipotent.”

Naalala ko bigla ang sabi ni Mors sa klase namin a year or so ago about his refusal to do someone else’s bidding, kahit mismong diyos pa ang nag-uutos, “A puppet of god, you mean?”

“A rather disrespectful way para tawagin ang isang propeta,” she said curtly as she looked at me straight into the eyes and I know binabasa niya ang kaluluwa ko ngayon to see where I am coming from, “Well, your little friend seemed to have a mind of his own at least. Pero don’t be afraid in his stead. Mabuti ang diyos, by the end of the day. Kung gusto talaga niyang gamitin bilang katawang lupa ang mga pinapanganak na Neomancers, he can easily control their mind, body and soul easily but instead, he gave them free will, just like the rest of us, para tumanggi sa kaniya at mamuhay normally.”

I took a bite out of edam cheese and shoved some celery in my mouth as I ruminate on what she said quietly before replying, “I wonder why the god chose mortal out of all the powerful beings in the world?”

“Dahil ginawa kayo ng wangis sa kaniya. Physically speaking, ang mga tao ang pinakamalapit na hitsura sa panginoon,” the empress pointed out clearly as the penultimate course arrived without much fanfare.