Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 35 The Banquet (Part 1)

As dusk approaches, the manor is about to host a banquet.

"Tell the kitchen that the lamb can be roasted, and don't forget little Amir's favorite harila soup."

"Take all the flowers away; Modi (Mohammed's nickname) is allergic to pollen."

Under Musta's direction, the servants and maids were busy preparing. Lu Lin could tell that everyone in the house except himself was taking this evening very seriously.

He had asked the maids at the manor beforehand, and they said that Prince Muhammad had last visited three months ago.

In a patriarchal society, this is not a good sign, often indicating the wife's neglect and loss of favor.

Of course, it's also possible that Muhammad was getting old and no longer wanted to live in the residences of his wives who were not his principal wives. After all, their marriages were largely due to political and family alliances, and had nothing to do with love.

Compared to his mother, who was dressed to the nines, his brother, who was so nervous that his palms were sweating, and his sister, who was hiding and avoiding him, Lu Lin seemed much more relaxed.

He had just met His Highness the Prince, and the man struck him as a rather easy-going old man.

Besides the three siblings from Amir's family, their half-brother Nshium was also invited. Lu Lin learned about this from the butler, Hash. Nshium is the eldest son of Prince Muhammad and his legal wife, and currently serves as the Minister of the Environment Department.

Before the meal, the familiar pre-meal prayer ceremony took place, with Prince Muhammad leading his family in prayer to Allah.

"Everyone, let's get started."

Old Muhammad finished his prayer and was the first to pick up his fork and spoon.

The servants began serving the dishes. The appetizers were mutaba sauce with grape leaf rolls and a truffle pomegranate seed salad.

Lu Lin took a bite of the mutaba sauce. It was salty with a hint of lemon sourness. It seemed to be made with roasted eggplant puree, pine nuts, sesame paste, and other seasonings, and it was served in an exquisite ceramic bowl.

As for grape leaf rolls, they are made by wrapping minced mutton, black truffle, and fried rice cooked with saffron and mutton fat in tender grape leaves, steaming them, and then drizzling them with a sauce made with bitter orange and onion slices.

Lu Lin took a big bite. The taste was quite unique and not unacceptable at all. On the contrary, it had a refreshing and delightful feeling.

This was his first time experiencing traditional Arabic cuisine, and its unique flavors made his mouth water.

A servant brought over a dish of thick, brown soup. Musta smiled and said, "Drink up. This is your favorite Harila soup. It was prepared especially for you."

Harila soup is a traditional Moroccan soup that has gradually become popular throughout the Middle East, especially among families.

The main ingredients are meat or chicken, along with tomatoes, lentils, and chickpeas. Cilantro, cinnamon, and ginger are added during the cooking process.

What's most interesting is that almost every household's harila soup tastes slightly different, making it a dish with a strong family flavor.

Lu Lin took a spoonful, and after confirming that the taste was indeed good, he drank the soup in the plate clean.

Watching Lu Lin wolf down his food, Prince Sultan frowned slightly and gently reminded his younger brother, "Amir, watch your table manners."

“It’s alright. The food at the border isn’t as good as at home. Your brother has suffered a lot, so let him eat as much as he wants.” Prince Muhammad waved his hand casually, smiling at Amir, seemingly unconcerned. Musta served her husband food, her smile never fading.

Seeing his father speak, Sultan shut his mouth. Then Prince Muhammad turned his gaze to Sheila, who was imitating Lu Lin's eating habits, and scolded her, "What kind of manners is it for a girl to eat so rudely? You should chew slowly and carefully!"

Upon hearing this, Hilla immediately sat up straight and began to eat in small bites.

To be honest, the moment Lu Lin saw Sheila, he thought of his sister in another time and space. As if sensing his gaze, Sheila glared at him.

Lu Lin made a face back.

“Speaking of which, Sheila isn’t young anymore; it’s time to find her a husband. I happen to know quite a few eligible, single men. If you’d be comfortable with that, Auntie, I can introduce them to you,” Enshium said with a smile, sipping her coffee.

"If I get any older, I'm afraid it will be harder for me to get married."

“Hila is not of marriageable age yet, so there’s no need for Brother Nsium to worry about her.” Sultan coughed and, as the eldest brother in the family, stepped forward.

"Well, we're family after all. As the older brother, I should be concerned about my younger sister's important matters."

Enshium looked at the couple seated at the head of the table with a sincere expression: "Besides, wasn't Aunt Musta just this age when she married Father? Who can say that getting married early can't bring happiness?"

Looking at the hypocritical guy in front of him, Lu Lin thought to himself, "Are you fucking crazy?"
She's not your sister, why are you in such a hurry to marry her off?
Although younger sisters may be bullies at home and take advantage of their older brothers, they are still treasured by everyone.

“You’re right, Enshium,” Musta also spoke up at this moment, “but this matter is not up to you, and even I can’t decide it. We have to ask your father’s opinion.”

Sultan hesitated, but after glancing at his father, he ultimately held back.

“Let’s wait a few more years.” Prince Muhammad cut the whole roasted lamb into pieces with a knife. He looked at his daughter, a rare tenderness appearing in his eyes: “In a father’s eyes, his daughter always grows up in the blink of an eye. Let me see her a little longer.”

Upon hearing this, Hilla immediately ran to her father's side and acted coquettishly, making Prince Muhammad laugh heartily.

Enshium smiled dismissively, and looking at Sheila nestled in her father's arms, Sultan's eyes showed envy.

When it was time for the main meal, Prince Muhammad began to divide the meat. He cut the tenderest part for his wife and said, "Habit, this piece of lamb neck is for you. You take care of the family and raise three children every day. It is not easy for you."

Habit means "dear" in Arabic. Mrs. Musta took the mutton that her husband had cut, her expression gentle, her eyes filled with happiness and love.

“Sultan, this lamb shoulder is for you. You are a real man now. When I’m not around, you must shoulder the burden of the family.”

Prince Muhammad placed a thick, firm piece of meat onto Sultan's plate, whose face flushed with excitement; he was practically ready to swear an oath on the spot.

“Enshum, here’s the breast of the sheep for you. I hope you can set a good example for your younger brothers and sisters.”

“I will, Father,” Enshium said respectfully as he accepted the mutton offered by Muhammad.

Just as everyone was waiting to see which piece of mutton would be given to Lu Lin, Muhammad stopped what he was doing and asked:
"You can choose, which one do you want?"

(End of this chapter)