The yearly banquet and festival were today and tomorrow the harvest would be picked up in hopes that the best wishes the harvest would be prosperous. Cultivating and harvesting played a very big role in the economy of the kingdom, they probably d the richest ground of most of their neighboring territories so they often sell to other kingdoms their harvest. This was a very big event for them because it would in some way represent the nation.
All of the Alondras work would be shown today. It was barely morning and many of the guests were arriving, she was in the gatehouse to greet them with Anahita. Harvey was supposed to be the one greeting but he had some type of meeting he had to attend. It was entertaining to look at all the out it everyone had picked out, it was liked a wave of colors.
The festival had finally begun. Alondra wore a green off-the-shoulder dress that reached her ankles, it was a dark forest color, she had gotten made just for the occasion, and her hair loose.
The banquet room was also perfectly decorated with pastel ribbons hanging from one corner to the next, the table was placed exactly in the middle. And right in the top middle of the dining hall was placed a self-portrait of the queen to who they were dedicating all of the festival and banquet, it has been said that she loved painting and was her secret talent.
She continued to greet people and that's when she began feeling that her hut feeling grew stronger. From afar she saw a distinctive young man come from a distance, his hair was snow-white and his suit was completely black with an embroidery, his eyes were strawberry red and his skin tone was a very pale brown. He looked like a handsome man, but somewhat dangerous.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, duchess Alondra, " she got the sense of Fabian in him "my name is Finn Gray. I come from a very distant land and yet I still hear many marvelous things about you yet I never believed that a woman could be so beautiful and believe me when I say that it causes extreme joy to my heart that you are here now upfront of me."
Her mouth was wide open she had no idea how to respond to that.
"Finn!" said Fabian hugging Finn, and increasingly enough he looked like he wasn't being chased by thousands of Cuzlenik.
"Fabian! How are you old friend?"
"Much much better! How are you, friend?"
"Much better as well, thank you very much Duchess and I hope we can soon talk again!"
With that morning soon became dusk and the long-awaited day had finally arrived. The first plate was succulent herbed boneless pork loin chops paired with a tangy raspberry sauce, heaven on a plate! This is a special family dish or perfect for company. Accompanied it with mashed potatoes and julienned steamed carrots.
The second plate was bourbon pecan chicken the chicken breasts are coated in a pecan breading, and fried in a skillet. Then a rich bourbon sauce is poured over them before serving. This is a fabulous the recipe that my mother gave me from an upscale restaurant out of the kingdom heading east.
The third the plate was Anahita's idea which was Chicken Makhani. Chicken Makhani is one of my favorite dishes brought Anahita from her land. It is a full flavored dish that complements the chicken well. It can be made as mild or spicy as you wish by adjusting the cayenne. Serve with basmati rice and naan bread.
The fourth dish was Chicken Cordon Bleu II. Cordon Bleu' is a French term, literally translated as 'blue ribbon', that originally referred to an award for culinary excellence given to women cooks! The term can now apply to any superior cook, and also to this dish: chicken, ham and Swiss cheese slices, breaded and sauteed. This yummy version adds paprika and a creamy white wine sauce worthy of its own blue ribbon. Two blue ribbon tastes in wedded bliss.
The fifth dish was Pumpkin Pot De Creme. This gourmet dessert is a wonderful alternative to the standard of pumpkin pie. This one can be made the day before, freeing up valuable time on banquet day for other preparations. These melt in your mouth.
'Ding ding' the king had made clashing sounds with his sparkling wine glass and his spoon to stop the big audience from talking.
"Id like to thank you all today for attending the banquet, it was a great satisfaction to converse to some of you, soon we will be seeing the festival but before that is like to give a small reminder of why we are celebrating and wishing for the harvest to be prosperous." said the king.
"Hi, Duchess! Can I and Finn sit with you for the play?" whispered Fabian.
"Of course" she said.
"It's also a way to honor the Queen" the King continued" that reigned years ago nonetheless the story of her wisdom expanded to a thousand years later. Her knowledge helped the kingdom expand, now please stay in your seat because the children will be performing the well-known story of her " said Harvey pulling off the curtain on the self-portrait to reveal Queen Calista's image.
"It's her..." said Fabian trembling with tears in his eyes, it had been so long since he saw her.
"What happened?" said Alondra worried.
"That is her," said Finn absolutely surprised. Finn hugged his friend. "Sshhh calm down you are going to be okay"
"I didn't think Fabian knew her"
"She was my girlfriend when I was still human, I didn't know what had happened to her. Her grandfather assassinated me and that when I turned into a Cuzlenik, and my professor sent me away to the forest."
"Fabian, I don't know what to say, I know this may be a little bit too triggering for you so you can leave"
"No no, I want to know what happened to her." Alondra and Finn gave each other a glance, both knowing tonight would be easy for him.