Loud metallic sound echoed throughout the residence, as a large bell rang three times. The sounds of hasty steps appeared from all directions, their common destination being the centre of an open garden. The bell was hanging inside a large white marble dome, which was supported by six pillars equidistant from each other. Each had a different colored gemstone attached. People wearing six different colored clothing gathered in front of the pillars matching their attire's color. Their heads immediately bowed down with respect with none even thinking about raising their heads.
The sounds of synchronized horses' footsteps resonated from a certain direction. Even without looking, all present were aware of the identity of the ones arriving. A golden chariot moved at the front, followed by a golden wagon that had their curtains closed by red curtains. Surrounding the chariot and the wagon were dozens of knights on each side, wearing white armor with a golden bird on their chest plates. The only knight whose armor was a little different rode his white horse in front of the chariot; on which, a man sat while his gaze drifted from one side of the crowd to another. His broad shoulders were relaxed, eyes calm, and lips stretched with a gentle smile. His blue robe with golden accents, flattered along with his golden hair as the wind blew past him.
"Sir Eonard, we'd like to stop here," the man suddenly said while looking at the knight in the very front, while he slightly raised his hand. Even before the knights pulled the reins, the horses stopped just by hearing the man speak. Every single knight climbed down from their horses, followed by the metallic boots of the knight at the very front landing on the ground. He walked towards the chariot and opened the golden door. He slightly bowed his head and waited for the man to step down. The man nodded at the knight and climbed down, followed by a declaration; "Today, on the occasion of my son's birthday, all the citizens of the Phoenix land will eat from the same kitchen." His voice rang louder than the sound of the bells, reaching each and every person present with absolute clarity.
A cheer erupted from the crowd, almost making the ground tremble around them. "ALL HAIL THE LORD! ALL HAIL THE PHOENIX LAND! HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUNG MASTER!" The crowd repeated the three phrases with the same enthusiasm every single time. The lord began walking towards the wagon with a satisfied smile stretching his lips, followed by Sir Eonard just a few steps behind him. The knight moved in unison and cleared the man's path, he grabbed the door handle of the wagon and gently pulled. The door opened smoothly without making a single sound. Inside the wagon, the floor and the soft seats were covered with a smooth red cloth, similar to the curtains covering the windows. A woman wearing royal blue attire with golden accents, sat on one side. Her smooth and long blue hair reached her back, while the sunlight felt grateful upon falling on her skin.
Her graceful appearance immediately sparked chatter amongst the crowd; "WOAH… Look at the Baroness… you won't find a woman as pretty as her in the entire continent.." Someone whispered from the crowd, followed by excited affirmative whispers. "HMM.." Sir Eonard glared at the crowd with his blue eyes visible from the eye space in his helmet. Immediate silence fell around him, not a single soul dared to even breathe a little loudly. "Heh.." The entire situation made the Baroness laugh softly, causing her to cover her mouth with her serene white hands. "You seem quite pleased, dear," the man said with a smirk while stretching his open palms towards her. "Why wouldn't I be? It's not often I get to see this jealous smirk on your face.." The baroness answered in a playful tone as she grabbed his hand and stepped down from the wagon.
The lord looked inside the wagon, upon not finding someone, he looked around the knights and only saw a dozen knights standing straight. Somewhat confused and alarmed, he kept gazing around the fleet. Noticing this, "Ahem!.." The baroness cleared her throat, catching the lord's attention. As he looked at her, she pointed towards a building on the left side of the crowd. As the wind blew from the building, it brought an intense aroma of food with it. The smell appeared to have answered the lord's previous search. Without speaking any further, he made his way towards the building with a curious smile. Just as they reached the entrance, they could hear two people speaking something. The lord signaled the knights to stop and moved inside with the baroness and Eonard behind him.
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Inside, two boys stood beside a few plates decorated with small portions of various food items. The younger of the two, around the age of sixteen with golden hair, stretched his hand, grabbed a spoonful of food from the table, and placed it inside his mouth. "Hmm… Rather exquisite I must say.." The boy said while his mouth got overwhelmed with taste. He then side-eyed the older boy, "Oh? Yes yes… Let me see.." The older one, around twenty years old with black hair, said while raising his brows, almost appearing surprised. The younger one pushed the same plate he ate from towards the older one. Followed by him taking out a small portion of food and placing it in his mouth. "You are right…." The older one said while nodding with a serious expression. The younger boy leaned towards the older one and whispered, "Come on man!…What are you doing? Use some cool words like me…You're embarrassing me here…"
A middle-aged man, wearing white attire, stood in front of the two with both of his hands joined together in front. He stared at the two whispering to each other with a concerned expression. Nervously, he spoke; "Uhh… Young Master…Is your inspection over?" Just as he spoke, the younger one raised his hands in his face; "Hmm….Hmmm…Hmm…" He nodded while clicking his tongue. "I seem to have detected some flavoring problem." He followed with a serious expression. The middle-aged man's face turned pale; "Fl–Flavoring problem? How could that be? I have been cooking the same food for over a decade now.." He defensively said while taking out the golden batch from his pocket and showing it to the two boys. "Hmm… My analysis says… You are getting old…" The younger boy said with a somewhat forced sad expression, while showing a thumbs up to the middle-aged man.
The older boy slightly leaned towards the younger one, "What are you doing? The food is perfectly fine." He whispered with a concerned tone. "Just wait! I'm trying to be cool!." The younger one whispered back while quickly nodding. "Ahem!...So… We just had a short discussion, and we have decided we would like to give you another chance." The younger one declared confidently. "Ah yes yes! Thank you Thank you young master! I'll bring you more pudding." The middle-aged man said while repeatedly bowing, then stormed inside the kitchen behind him. "See that? That's cool." The younger one said to the older one with a proud smile on his face, while adjusting his collar with his right hand.
"That was certainly cool.." A voice appeared from the entrance of the room, that sent chills down their spine. They looked at each other with shivering eyes with an awkward smile. The younger one pushed all the plates of food towards the older one, seeing this, the older one pushed the plates back towards the younger one. Getting pushed back and forth, the utensils created a loud sound. They kept doing it again and again, "[SIGH!]... Just stop.." The lord facepalmed and said in a breathy voice. "What are you two doing here?" The baroness asked in a serious tone while walking towards them. "Uhh… mother… it was… it was big brother's idea.." The younger one said with a bright smile on his face while pointing towards the older one. "Huuuuh?!.." The older one almost exclaimed with a dumbfounded expression. "Listen to me, mother! I didn't do it! In fact, it was his plan!.." The older one nervously said while waving his arm in front of her, he anxiously stepped back as he saw the baroness approaching.
She ignored their words and grabbed one ear of both of them, "OW OW OW!!!.." The younger one voiced his pain while closing his eyes. "I know all too well who did what.." The baroness said with a smile while slightly pulling their ears. As the older boy saw the younger one screaming in pain, "Mother… He wasn't lying.. I-It was my idea.." He declared with some hesitation. The baroness released their ears and turned towards the older boy; "You still don't understand your younger brother, do you? Arion is just acting.." As the baroness was speaking, the younger boy behind her, stuck his tongue out and stretched his left cheek downward, clearly aiming at the older boy. The baroness abruptly looked back, but by this point, Arion's expression had turned normal. "Today's your birthday so I'll let it slide with just an apology. Sir Meruth is the oldest cook in the sacred kitchen; you shouldn't make fun of him." She said with a serious expression while grabbing Arion's ear once again.
Just then, the middle-aged man entered the room with a plate filled with pudding. The smell of the delicious food made Arion's mouth water. He looked at the food and said, "Okay… Mother… I'll apologize. But now that he has brought the food… Can I eat i-.." "NO!.." The baroness pulled his ears a little harder and said with anger; "OW… OW… OW Oookay… I won't.." Arion said in a defeated tone, with his head down.
[END OF CHAPTER: 1]