The Manservant

Scorpion of the South

In the dining hall, king Luther walked in a turbulent manner. He saw lord Grayscent and its sister—his wife Queen Miranda standing and waiting for his arrival.

"Where's Katherine?" he asked after he gave them a sign to sit.

"She will come late, my lord," the queen answered. Lord Grayscent was displeased by Lady Katherine's behavior. It ruffled his feathers. He's very strict when it comes to his niece and sister.

"Should we wait for her?" the king asked again bluntly when the servants came in to serve them food for breakfast. Lord Grayscent gave a menacing look at the queen.

"I think she will be here a minu—"

"No, my lord," Grayscent's unconcerned replied to the king. Sakto naman ang pagdating ni lady Katherine na kanilang pinag-usapan at ikinatuwa ng ina.

"I'm sorry father," bungad niya sa hari nang una niya itong nakita. "Also to you uncle." She paused and bow her head quickly. "There's just something happened in my wardrobe." Nginitian niya at hinalikan sa pisngi ang kanyang inang reyna na nawala na ang pag-aalala sa mukha. Ngunit halatang hindi parin ito nagustuhan ng kanyang tiyuhin.

"Don't do that again next time," a subjugating tone spurted at his uncle's lips. Napabuntong hininga na lang ito at umupo.

A difficult situation filled up in the dining hall. No one dared to speak while the king ate nonchalantly—enjoying his food.

"What about Peter?" tanong ni lord Grayscent na bumasag sa katahimikan ng kanilang almusal. "Hindi na naman ba siya sasabay sa atin?"

Napahinto ang hari sa pagnguya ng kanyang kinakain. "He's a busy man," the king said frankly and wipe something on his mouth. "Sa mga ganitong panahon kailangan niyang matuto at mapagdaanan ang pagiging isang ganap na mandirigma. Ito ay hakbang niya sa hinaharap na magpapatuloy sa yapak ko bilang isang hari."

"My lord. I just want to ask. But I'm afraid you might take it as offensive."

Nagdadalawang isip pa siyang sabihin ang gusto niyang itanong ngunit natuon na ang atensyon ng hari sa kanya. Tahimik namang nakikinig ang mag ina sa dalawa.

"What is it Grayscent?" asked the king.

"Do you think Peter can defeat that man?" mapanlarong tanong nito.

There was no trace of uneasiness on the king's face at the sudden query, he just sat at a sedate pace. He then sips wine from his gold chalice. "He will."

******

"Not here. Devlin!"

"But Railey. I really need this time," wika ko sa kanya at sumunod na naman kung asan siya paroroon sa kanyang niluluto.
Hindi niya ako pinapansin at patuloy lang sa paglagay ng iba't-ibang pampalasa dito.

"Please I really need your help. Gusto kong malaman ano ang tinatago ng mandirigmang iyon," bulong ko pa dahil sa mga taga lutong palakad lakad sa kusina. Bumuntong hininga na rin ito dahil sa pagka irita.

"I already told you! don't make any hasty decision and what help I can do with that? I'm just a mere cook here," Nawalan ako ng pag asa sa kanyang sinabi. Nangako pa naman ako kay Peter na hahanap ako ng katibayan na mag uudyok sa estrangherong iyon sa pandaraya. Malakas ang kutob kong may matindi siyang binabalak sa prinsipe.

"But there is a warlord disappeared 30 years ago who happened to have the same mark on that man." Biglang natuon sa kanya ang aking atensyon mula sa kawalan ng pag asa at napangiti ako.

Kunwari ka pa tutulungan mo rin lang pala ako.