Chapter 11
Two hours later Camus was in the library when he heard Jane calling:
- Camus, can you please help me?
He went to the entrance and saw Jane with her hands full of bags. Camus helped her taking the things to the kitchen and said:
- Why didn't you call me when you were in town?
- Because I didn't want to bother you.
- Are all these things to the dinner in Milo's house?
- Not everything. Some things are for you to have here.
Camus started looking inside the bags and said:
- You have here very strange things.
- Don't look! It's a surprise!
- Okay. I'll help you take those things to Milo's house when it's time.
She kissed him and said with a smile on her face:
- Thank you, mon cher.
- You're welcome, mon amour.
They kissed again and they went to the library.
At 5 o'clock Camus helped Jane taking the ingredients to Milo's house. When he saw the bags that they were caring he asked to Camus:
- What is all this?
- Don't ask me. She didn't let me see it. She said it was a surprise.
At that time the other guests were arriving. They were sitting in the living room, talking. And they were surprised and a little relieved that it was Jane that was cooking. Suddenly Jane went to the living room and said:
- Oh, hello. Milo can you help me here in the kitchen?
- Sure.
Hearing this all the Saints, including Camus, said:
- NO!
Then Marin and Shaina said:
- If you want help, we can help you.
- Thank you, but I only need Milo.
- But he…
- Don't worry. He will only help me cut things, nothing more.
All the Saints breathed in relief. Then in the kitchen Milo said:
- They are right. I'm an awful cooker!
- I don't believe in that. With some training everyone can cook. Besides, I'm going to teach you. That's why I bought so many things. If you do some mistake, you can try again. That way next time you'll do it alone and all of them will be amazed.
He smiled, hugged her and said:
- Thank you!
- You're welcome.
Suddenly, Milo looked at the door and saw Camus looking at him with murdering eyes. Milo loosed Jane and said:
- Sorry Fridge.
Jane looked to Camus and said:
- Camus, please go to the living room. I want to make a surprise.
He didn't answer to her and said to Milo:
- Don't do that again!
Then he went away. Milo and Jane started preparing the dinner. In the living room all of the Saints were delighted with the smell that was coming from the kitchen. Suddenly they heard a scream and saw Milo running away from the kitchen. Seeing this Aiolos said:
- What's wrong Milo?
- It burns!
Then they saw Jane coming from the kitchen and saying:
- Milo, come here! You have to pass that through water!
- But it hurts.
- I know but come. If you don't do this then it will hurt even more.
- Are you sure?
- I'm 100% sure.
Hesitantly he entered the kitchen again, followed by Jane.
Two hours later Milo got out of the kitchen and said to the other Saints:
- The dinner is ready. Please go to the table.
They did as it was told. Milo and Jane started to take the dishes to the table. For Shura, Jane made a traditional Spanish plate: Paella; for Aphrodite a Swedish plate: Lutefisk; for Hyoga a Russian plate: Borsch; for Shaka an Indian plate: Kedgeree; for Dohko and Shiryu a Chinese plate: Chop Suey; for Deathmask and Shaina an Italian plate: Lasagne; for Saga, Kanon, Aiolia, Aiolos, Mu, Shion, Kiki, Aldebaran and Milo a Greek plate: Keftedes; for Seiya, Marin, Shun, Ikki and Saori a Japanese plate: Sashimi; and for Camus and Jane a French plate: Blanquette de veau. When the Saints saw the food they were surprised and touched. Then Shaka said:
- You were able to do the Kedgeree! Few people can do it so perfectly! Thank you!
- You're welcome Shaka-sama!
Then with tears in his eyes Hyoga said:
- Thank you so much! My Mamma used to do this to me! It's the first time after my Mamma's death that I'm going to eat this! Thank you!
- You're welcome Hyoga. So, the ones that are eating Keftedes… How is it?
Every one of them, excluding Milo, said at the same time:
- Heavenly!
She winked to Milo who smiled and then she said:
- You heard that Milo? The dish that you made is great! I told you that with practice you could do it.
Hearing this, all of them said:
- MILO?
Then Aiolos said:
- Well, it's great Milo! Congratulations!
- Thank you Aiolos! Oh, and I chose the wine too.
- Really? Good choice!
Jane turned to Camus and said:
- How is your food?
- Divine as always. The wine is great too.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
They were going to kiss each other when Saga said:
- Both of you, don't forget that there are minors at the table! And that our goddess is here too!
Jane looked to the others and said:
- You're right Saga-sama. I'm sorry.
The others started eating and Camus looked at Saga in a way that made him think: "If looks could kill I would be dead in seconds! Sometimes Camus is a scary person!" Then suddenly Athena said:
- Camus, there was always something that I wanted to ask you. I know that it's something personal but I'm very curious about it.
- What is it, Athena-sama? You can ask whatever you want.
- Do you have any family left in France?
Camus paled visibly; Jane looked worriedly at him and said:
- Camus…
- No. I'll answer. Yes, I still have people that I know in France.
This expression made Athena say:
- People that you know?
- Yes, because my family is here in the Sanctuary. This is the only family I have.
- I understand, but I want to know about your biological family.
- Very well. There were my parents, me and my younger brother, Albert. We lived in the family mansion in Paris. My family was well known by the other influent families in France, because in the past they had strong bonds with the French court and even with the king. I can say that I'm a descendant of Philippe de France, fils de France, Duke of Orléans, that was the younger brother of Louis XIV.
Hearing this amazed everyone in the room, excluding Jane and Milo that already knew this. Then Camus continued:
- Well, because of my family traditions, my father was very strict and took the heir thing very seriously. I'm two years older than Albert, and because of that I was the heir of the family. I have to admit that I didn't like that one bit. Then when I was 4 years old, a man approached me in the street, said that he had been watching me and that he would take me to the place where I truly belonged. I went with him, without thinking twice. That man was my master. Soon I was in Siberia training. And all of you know the rest of the story. Some years ago, I found out that my parents and brother had thought that I ran away, still they didn't look for me at all.
Hearing this Athena and the others were looking sadly at Camus. Then Athena said:
- I'm sorry Camus.
- Don't be Athena-sama. Besides, I don't regret anything. Milo and Jane can say how they act. So they know why I don't regret the choice I've made.
- They know your family?
- They have seen it, but I haven't talked with them since I was 4, so…
Then Milo said:
- Well, Fridge it wasn't a great loss. You're better without them.
- I know Milo, I know.
They continued to eat.
Till the next time...