The Duke's Obsession

Chapter 21

"My lady and lord, welcome to Utopia Tavern where magic lies within."

A guy with silver hair and a formal black tailcoat with white gloves welcomed us.

Inangat nito ang ulo pagkatapos mag-bow. "Is it your first time here, my lady and lord?"

"Yes. It's our first time," I said.

Pasimple kong tinignan ang paligid. But there was nothing much but an ordinary seat and table everywhere.

Namali ba kami?

"Then we recommend the most popular and finest seat for you, my lady and lord."

"Okay. We'll take that," sabi ko at muling lumikot ang mata sa paligid.

Baka hindi ito 'yon? But this place was the only one that was called Utopia Tavern. So I think I was right.

"Lady Victoria, come." Hinila na ako ni Alaric dahil malayo na pala sa amin iyong lalake at nauna nang maglakad.

Pumasok kami sa isang lift. The silver haired guy pushed a lever on his side. Naramdaman na lang namin ang mahina pag-andar nito paakyat.

"Please do not fret about what you will see when the lift opens." The soothing voice of the guy only made my skin crawl. Kesa mapanatag ay nabagabag pa ako sa sinabi niya.

Bakit may pa gano'n? Mukhang mali ata itong napasok namin.

Napabaling kay Alaric. Gusto ko sana mag sabi na sa iba na lang kami pumunta pero hindi ko magawa dahil katabi lang niya iyong lalake.

Seryoso lamang si Alaric at nang makita ang takot sa mata ko ay inalis niya ang magkahawak naming kamay at pinatong ang braso sa aking balikat. Hinila niya ako sa kaniya and caressed my shoulder silently.

The silver-haired guy side-eyed us. "It's just pure darkness, my lady and lord. Kakailanganin po natin na maglakad ng ilang minuto sa dilim before we could get to your destination."

Tumikhim ako at nahihiyang tumango. Dahil parang ang sama ata ng timpla ng mood nito. Hindi man niya pinapahalata pero mukhang bagot na bagot na ang lalake. Mukhang ilang beses niya na nasaksihan ang ganitong scenario.

Bakit kasi hindi niya na lang sinabi agad? Nagpakaba pa siya!

After a long minute of awkward silence, the lift finally dinged and opened.

It was just as he said. It was complete darkness. Wala akong makita kung hindi kadiliman lang.

Kaswal na lumabas ang lalake at nauna muling naglakad. "Please be careful with your steps."

Kung hindi lang ako iginaya ni Alaric palabas ay hindi ako aalis sa puwesto ko. Tahimik lang ako naglakad at mas dinidikit ang sarili kay Alaric sa bawat hakbang namin. Only our footsteps could be heard. At ramdam ko ang bukol at gaspang ng dinadaanan namin. Muntik-muntik pa akong matapilok kung hindi lang ako nakakapit sa damit ni Alaric. The path was slippery! Halos nakayap na ata ako kay Alaric sa buong paglalakad namin para hindi ako matumba.

After almost a long ten minutes walk ay may ilaw na akong nakikita sa kabilang banda. I could also hear a loud gush of water.

"I present to you, the Utopia Tavern. Please enjoy your meal and experience," the guide said and stepped aside for us.

Nalalag ang panga ko ng makaalis sa dilim. I stepped on the wooden floor while gawking at my surroundings.

On the other side of the lovely wooden carved chairs and tables, you could see a spectacular view of a waterfall surrounded by trees. Nasa mataas kaming lugar at kitang-kita ko rin ang mga bundok sa paligid na tanawin. The mountains stretched out as far as the eyes could see. The sun shone brightly in the sky full of fluffy clouds. Birds in a V shape formation flying over the waterfall. A garden of different flowers was displayed everywhere on the floor of the tavern making the place more magical. Mayroon ding mga halaman na nasa paso ang nakasabit sa kisame ng tavern. And butterflies! They were everywhere! Fluttering their wings around us and landing on the petals drinking the nectars.