Chapter 27: Cook
A sense of pride engulfed me as I watched my Nightfall comrades celebrate my return. They raised their glasses in a toast, their smiles beaming with joy, and some even approached me to hug me. I've never felt so welcomed in my homeland.
"This is a first time, right?" biglang tanong ni Randolf. Kasama ko siyang nag-iikot para bumati sa mga kasamahan namin. "A genuine celebration in Nightfall Clan."
I took a sip on my wine. Hindi ko maitago ang ngiti ko, lalo na kapag nginingitian ako ng mga kasamahan ko.
"Everything seems so lively," Randolf murmured.
"Aalis ka rin ba agad?" tanong ko sa kanya.
He nodded. "Wala naman talaga sa plano ko ang manatili rito ng matagal. Bago ko pa matanggap ang sulat mo ay nauna na akong sulatan ni Mama. I was actually on my way here."
"She wanted to come with you," I said.
"I know," he smiled.
Tinapik ko ang kanyang balikat kaya nginitian na lang niya ako. I believe the most crucial training for a vampire does not revolve around becoming physically stronger. Instead, it lies in the profound realization that we are not capable of preserving the lives of everyone around us, especially if it is against time.
"Lord Oscar!"
Napangiti ako nung nilapitan ako ulit nung batang lalaki. Yumuko ako para makausap siya. Napansin kong hawak na naman niya ang kanyang mga armas.
"Are you back for good?" he asked. His little eyes were wide and filled with excitement.
"What's your name, lad?"
"Austine," he smiled.
"Cool." Ginulo ko ang kanyang buhok. "Bakit hawak mo na naman ang mga armas mo, Austine? Are you training again?"
He nodded.
"That's good. But..." Hinawakan ko ang kanyang braso. "Why don't you give yourself a break? Enjoy the feist. Play with other kids. Eat food. Drink plenty of blood. Can you do that?"
Mabilis na tumango siya. Binalik niya sa kanyang likod ang mga pana at palaso. Saka na rin siya tumakbo palayo.
"I didn't know you were good at handling kids," Randolf chuckled.
"Hindi naman." Tumayo na ako ulit. "About your father—"
"Just do it, Lord Oscar," he cut me off. "Maraming naging kasalanan si Papa sa lahat. Lalo na sa inyo. Hindi ko gagamitin ang pinagsamahan natin para humingi ng simpatya sa 'yo."
"He didn't intend to kill you, Randolf," I said. Iyon ang sinabi sa akin ni Brienne sa pagsuri sa kanya. "When you arrived, he knew that he had already lost. He didn't want you to forgive him. So he tried to make you hate him."
"I don't know..." he sighed, gazing up at the sky. "There's nothing to forgive because there are no hard feelings at all. When he chose power over us, he also cut ties with us."
Lord Wenson tried to follow in my father's footsteps. However, unlike my father, he always had a soft spot for his family. Kaya alam kong pinanghinaan na siya ng loob matapos malaman na nasawi ang kanyang asawa. I couldn't say the same about my father. My father would do anything to get what he wanted, even if he had to sacrifice us.
"How have you been, Oscar?" he asked, turning everything more personal. "Ang tagal na nung huli nating pagkikita ah?"
"Nightfall is never easy to handle," pagsasabi ko ng totoo. "And to tell you the truth, kamakailan lang talaga bumuti ang kalagayan ko. But I can finally say it now. I'm getting better."
