Chapter 21
Marcus stepped out of the private library and motioned to his guards. They followed him instantly. The first thing Marcus noted was that the guards were three in number. They used to be four before. This prompted Marcus to ask about the missing guard.
"You guys used to be four but now there are only three of you…" Marcus began. "Where is the last person?"
"He went to inform the cook about the meal you wanted to have, Sire…" one of the guards answered quickly.
Now, Marcus understood what was happening. He seemed to have forgotten that he had sent one of the guards to inform the cook that he had like a meal.
"Oh! Now I remember!" Marcus shouted in excitement. "I think we should head to the dining room now, shouldn't we?"
"Yes, you should, Sire…" The guard replied. "I am sure the meal would have already been served."
After listening to this statement by the guard, Marcus hastened his footsteps.
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Marcus got to the dining room soon. Some guards surrounded the vicinity of the dining hall while maids were around. The butler in charge of the mansion was ordering the maids around as they began to serve the food the moment Marcus entered.
"The meal should have been served before, Butler…" Marcus complained. "I am starving right now and upon the level of hunger I am feeling, I still have to wait for you all to serve the food. This is the highest level of incompetency I have ever seen."
The butler in charge listened attentively before answering. His reply was quick, fast-paced, direct, and done with a humbled voice.
"Forgive me, Alpha Marcus, but I actually stopped the maids from serving the meal earlier…" The butler was saying. "I didn't want the food to get cold and the only way to do this was to preserve the food in the kitchen. I humbly apologize for every inconveniences I might have caused and I plead for your forgiveness. I hope I am forgiven?"
Marcus gazed at the butler carefully. She displayed no emotions in her facial expression and that gave her a pass mark. She looked like someone really serious with her duty and this was what Marcus loved the most among over characteristics of the workers at the Alpha's mansion.
"It's alright! This was only a reminder for next time…" Marcus said slowly. He watched the maids serve the food.
"Thanks for understanding, Alpha Marcus. I will also make sure I take note in case of another day…" the butler answered carefully. She didn't smile or frown. She still showcased her expressionless expression.
Yeah, 'expressionless expression' was the right word to use in this case. She was the most neutral person which Marcus had seen in his life. As Marcus thought about this, he remembered another thing which he ought to nail the butler and other kitchen workers about.
"Also…" Marcus noted. "I was the one who told you before today's meal was prepared. Both of us here know that it isn't supposed to be done that way. Why wasn't my meal prepared at the normal time? You should be the one to remind me to come get my meal and not vice versa."
"Oh!" The butler began. "That was an oversight, Sire. I plead for forgiveness on behalf of all the kitchen staff. Please forgive us this sin and other sins in your heart which you might likely want to mention tonight."
This was quite polite but it sounded impolite and impulsive to Marcus. He was going to tell her about it.
"What do you mean? Is that an indirect way to tell me to keep my mouth shut?" Marcus asked angrily.
The butler remained calm and answered the question in the most favorable manner that wouldn't result into issues. She was very good with apologies.
"Forgive me, Sire, but I only said this to allow you to eat before the meal gets cold…" The butler replied. "I wouldn't want you to not be able to enjoy your meal all because of our silly mistakes. Whatever crime we might have committed can be sorted out later. As for now, please have your meal."
This wise statement pleased Marcus and he beamed from ear to ear. As advised, Marcus took his cutlery and began to eat. No one talked. They left him to enjoy his deliciously prepared meal. Even the aroma of the meal was able to arouse even someone who had lost his sense of smell.
Marcus didn't mind anyone again. He focused on his meal and devoured the food. He was truly famished and the meal was satisfying enough.
After about thirty minutes of eating, Marcus was done.
"Wow! I am okay now. You can take away the leftovers…" Marcus told the maids. They began to clear the leftovers instantly. As they did this, the butler approached Marcus and handed him a napkin to clean his mouth of stains.
After Marcus was done cleaning his mouth, he handed back the napkin and decided to rest for a bit before setting out to see Rose and check how she's doing.
"How was the meal, Sire?" The butler asked carefully. She had a fulfilled smile on her face. This was the first time Marcus was going to see her smile.
"Why do you ask?" Marcus asked as a form of reply. Marcus was truly curious.
As usual, the butler had enough explanation for this. She began to talk almost immediately.
"Actually, we just got a new chef and I had her prepare this with her crew. I wanted to check if you would like her meal…" the butler asked slowly.
"Well, what if I did enjoy the meal?" Marcus asked once more as a form of reply.
"I think I will have her become your personal chef then…" the butler began. "You know you have been using multiple chefs this days and it isn't so nice. We never know who has bad intentions."
"Really?" Marcus asked slowly. He was gazing at the butler. Now, the butler avoided his gaze. He was making her shy.