She Is Zarcaen's

CHAPTER 11

"Hindi ba puwede?" kunot-noo namang tanong ni Lucino.

My eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you didn't know what lato means?"

"Lato? Like plato?" itinaas pa ni Corio ang kaniyang plato.

What the hell is this guy talking about?

"I'm talking about the lato, in English sea grapes." I silently observed their reaction. The three nodded their heads like they slowly processing the new information inside their heads. Mas lalong naningkit ang aking mata.

"You ate foods without knowing where they came from and its name," naiwika ko nalang at isinubo sa bibig ang lumpia gamit ang tinidor.

Lucino pouted. "Kinakain naman namin lahat, basta masarap."

I rolled my eyes. "What if this one has a poison?"

Agad na naibuga ni Gabru ang ilulunok na sanang lato. Ibubuga niya sana ito sa kanan ngunit naroon banda nakaupo ang kanilang hari, kaya sa kaliwa nalang siya bumuga at si Corio ang natamaan. Corio choked him.

I watched them boredly. Kahit nasa pagkain ang bababoy. I don't know how the hell they become the king's grand butlers when they are as childish as this. Napasulyap ako sa kanilang hari na tahimik lang na kumakain. He really looks intimidating. Masyadong seryoso ang kaniyang guwapong mukha ngunit kalma lang ito. He didn't even care about what the hell is doing to his grand butlers especially since they were in front of food.

"We just tasted this food last month, at pang dalawang beses pa lang kaming nakakain nito. Hindi naman kasi kami masyadong maalam sa seafood aside sa isda, crab, at hipon. Kung ano ang lulutuin ng royal chefs, iyon ang kakainin namin," salaysay ni Lucino at pasimpleng kumupit sa pritong manok na nasa plato ni Gabru na hanggang ngayon ay sakal pa rin ni Corio.

Napailing ako. "This kind of food should be dipped in vinegar or any type of sour sauce, not ketchup."

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mata. "Totoo?"

"Who's idea is this?" hindi ko mapigilang tanong bago uminom ng tubig. Napatingin ako sa mga royal servants at sa kanilang royal chefs na nakahilira lang sa sulok. I saw from my peripheral version how the king looked in my direction.

Nakita kong nagsisikuhan pa ang mga ito bago dahan-dahang nagtaas ng kamay ang isang royal chef na nakapuwesto sa dulo. "A-ako po, young lady."

I looked at her from head to toe. Kahit medyo may kadiliman ang kanilang puwesto, hindi hadlang sa akin ang obserbahan ang kaniyang physical appearance. Sanay ang mata ko sa madilim.

I crossed my arms and stared at her more. Mukhang nailang naman siya sa malamig kong titig. "Are you aware that ketchup is not typically used as a dipping sauce for sea grapes?"

Napayuko ito. "O-opo, young lady."

"Are you craving for sea grapes with ketchup?"

Natigilan ito saglit sa sinabi ko. Halos hindi siya makasagot at mas lalong napayuko nalang. Tahimik na tango ang nakuha ko sa kaniya. She seems to have forgotten that she's the one who craved that food, not us. And unintentionally put the ketchup instead of other sauce, at huli na niya itong napagtanto.

"Come here and bring these sea grapes with you."

Napalingon ang lahat sa sinabi ko. Nagtataka ang kanilang mga mukha at puno ng katanungan. Mabilis namang kinuha ni Lucino ang glass service bowl kung saan nakalagay ang lato.

"Bakit? Pagkain namin 'to, eh!" Maktol niya.

"Give it to her. You're not pregnant." Their eyes widened in surprise after hearing what I said.

"Pregnant?" Corio asked while his mouth parted.

"One of the royal chefs is pregnant and didn't realize she put ketchup for a dipping sauce of sea grapes since she's craving for it. Now, give it to her Lucino," I seriously said. In addition to that, people might not be aware of her almost invisible baby bump, but I do.

Choiceless, Lucino stood up and gave the bowl to her. Nahihiyang tinanggap ito ng babae at nagpasalamat. Nagpatuloy na ulit sila sa pagkain. They even interrogated me about how the hell I found out that one of their royal chefs was pregnant.

"Nabuntis ka na noon, 'noh?"

I glared at Lucino as I heard his question. Wala sa sariling napatingin ako sa hari. Nakita ko ang malamig ngunit mariin niyang titig sa akin. I even noticed how he gripped the glasses he was holding that almost cracked by his hands. Binitawan niya saglit ang hawak na babasaging baso, sumandal ito sa upuan at nag-cross arms. Sa laki ng braso, halos masira na ang kaniyang long sleeves. May kapa nga ito pero nakasampay naman sa likuran ng kaniyang upuan, kaya malayang makikita ang bakat ng kaniyang matitipunong braso.

Pilit kong sinasalubong ang kaniyang malalim na titig. He has this threatening and overbearing aura. Halatang-halata sa kilos at galaw na hindi ito basta-bastang tao, he is indeed a king.

"No man deserves to impregnate me."

I saw how the side of his lips lifted. There's something hidden emotion behind his cerulean eyes that I cannot fathom. "You're not sure."

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Merry Christmas to all! Pasensya na kung sandaling na-hold ang She Is Zarcaen's. So, here's the update. Enjoy reading✨