Chapter 12 — The Ancestors' Meal
Mis, 20 Ves 910 Aven — 9:30
The dining room was bathed in generous light.
The high windows let in the daylight without restraint, rendering useless the five chandeliers hanging from the ceiling - a central one, surrounded by four others arranged according to the cardinal points.
In the center of the room was a monumental table, capable of accommodating nearly fifty guests.
However, only two seats were occupied.
At the end sat Caesar, erect, calm, almost motionless.
Aliss, for her part, sat on the third chair on the left, as if this choice were self-evident.
She stared straight at him.
—What do you have to offer, old man?
Caesar didn't blink.
"What a rude way to address an elder," he said calmly.
Even more so in front of your great-grandfather.
Have you always been this disrespectful?
Aliss barely shrugged his shoulders.
"If you have nothing else to do, I'll let you think about it."
Maybe you'll find the answer on your own.
Without waiting, she began to eat.
His movements were precise, elegant.
Spoon and fork moved with almost aristocratic ease.
In front of her, a plate of rice, surrounded in an arc by five other dishes:
two light sauces on the left, two on the right, and in the center a spicy, dense sauce, saturated with aromas.
Equidistant from the two of them, a basket overflowing with various fruits.
Next to it, two drinks:
wine for Caesar,
and a fruit cocktail for Aliss.
Strange… she thought.
This is exactly what he gave me last time.
Did he search my memory?
Bad guy.
"I am your great-grandfather," Caesar said.
Your father is my grandson.
A remarkable boy...once.
Aliss continued to eat, without looking up.
- Yes.
— Like him, I'm sure you harbor dreams of power.
At your age, he already wanted to become strong.
- Yes. All right.
— You must also know this "curse" which binds us to a single natural affinity.
A heavy chain…
even more so for you, heiress of this annoying woman.
His family wore the same shackles.
- Yes. All right.
"But for one who achieves mastery, it is no longer much of a burden," he continued, slowly clenching his fists.
You can practice any martial art, as long as you adapt it to your element.
This is why only mastery really matters.
- Yes. All right.
—The other problem, he added, unclenching his hands,
This is because the majority of bloodline members are martial artists.
We are seriously lacking in mages.
Barely a few enchanters.
- Yes. All right.
Caesar took a deep breath.
— You were probably looking to learn the Breath when you came here.
I could teach you—
He interrupted himself.
A brief, almost awkward silence ensued.
Aliss, scarlet red, dripping with sweat, her eyes seeming to burn from the inside, raised her head.
— Wouldn't you have… anything else to accompany the meal?
Water, for example?
Caesar stared at her, surprised.
—What happened?
"Maybe I overdid the spices a little," she admitted.
But it was so good.
I love it when it stings.
A hint of panic crossed Caesar's eyes, immediately hidden.
— Do you want some water?
- Not yet.
There's some left.
All the dishes had been emptied.
All that remained was a hint of spicy sauce.
Aliss carefully licked the last trace, then sat up, finally calm.
—It was incredible.
A true taste paradise.
She grabbed her cocktail and took a slow, savory sip, despite the obvious desire to swallow it in one gulp.
Little by little, the flames in his eyes died out 😉
She put the glass down.
- By the way…
what were you saying, old man?
Caesar remained frozen.
- Mess…
you didn't listen to anything at all.
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