chapter 5

Minutes later, I finally arrived in front of the bakery. There, I found Grandpa Ben smoking his pipe, sitting comfortable on the bench by the window, his legs crossed.

I went down Lady and pulled her to the side. “Good morning, Grandpa Ben,” I greeted, walking towards him with a smile.

He looked up, snapping out from staring into nothing. “Oh, good morning, dear boy,” he said in a cheerful way. “How are you doing?” he engulfed me in a warm hug after standing up.

“I’m quite well, Grandpa Ben. How about you?”

“Well, as you can see, I finally found myself some time to enjoy a smoke,” he replied, showing off his, what it seems like, antique pipe. He moved it closer to me, “Do you want to try?”

“No, thank you, Grandpa Ben. I don’t do that,” I politely refused. “Also, I tasted the pie when I got back.”

“And?” he raised an eyebrow as he smirked, waiting eagerly for my answer.

“Well… you weren’t kidding when you said some people went crazy for those pies. It was a delight!” I replied with pride.

“I told you: you would be coming back here for more once you tasted Laura’s apple pies,” Grandpa Ben chuckled. “However, I don’t think you’re here for the apple pies, Robert,” he continued to smirk at me.

I started to scratch the back of my neck, smiling shyly. “Well, you caught me, Grandpa Ben,” I laughed nervously. “Is Laura currently working?”

“Yes, she’s helping out with the muffins inside. One of our members is taking a rest for two days so she took responsibility for the muffins,” Grandpa Ben nodded.”

“I can wait for her. I’m not in a rush,” I smiled.

“No, don’t be silly. Sit here and I’ll get her for you,” he led me to the bench, making me sit. After I made myself comfortable on the bench, he went inside to fetch Laura.

What should I tell Laura? How should I approach her? Should I take her word for it and act like nothing ever happened? Or should I apologize now that I’m here? Mother did say that the best way to apologize is to say it in person.

Moments later, Laura came out of the bakery, wiping her hands on her apron. “Robert,” she started walking towards me.

“Laura,” I stood up in a heartbeat, walking towards her as well.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I came to see you.”

“Did you receive my letter?” she asked another.

“Yes,” I nodded. “I told you: if you follow the instructions, I’ll definitely receive your response.”

“I don’t understand what kind of instructions those were,” she shook her head. “All I told myself was to just follow the instructions in order to send my response.”

“Well, you did a good job on that,” I suddenly patted her on the head. I cleared my throat, “Would you like to have a seat?” I said, pointing to the bench behind me.

“Um, of course,” she smiled.

I let her sit down before me then I sat down after she made herself comfortable.

“Is there something wrong?” she started the conversation. “I was surprised to know that you’re here during this time of the day. Don’t you have… duties to take care of?”

“I already finished some before coming here,” I replied, turning my whole body to her direction. “There is something that I would like to say,” I held her hands in mine.

“Robert…”

“I’m very sorry for how I treated you on that day,” I looked straight into her eyes. “You didn’t deserve that. I was being an idiot.”

“Robert,” she pulled back her hands from my grip. I thought she was mad but what she did next… left me speechless. She held my hands in hers, caressing them with her thumbs. “I told you: I forgive you. We don’t have to repeat that day over and over again,” she continued. “I know that as a prince, there are a lot of  things on your mind and it can definitely cause a few mood swings, here and there. Stop feeling guilty for that,” she smiled a comforting smile.

I looked at her in complete awe. I didn’t know mortals are capable of doing what she’s currently doing now. The way Grandpa Ben raised her is impressive.

“Now, don’t frown too much. You’ll grow old in no time,” she giggled, making me giggle as well.

“So, what happened to you when I was away?” I enquired.

She sighed and groaned at the same time. “Do you remember the man that I told you about? The one who’s a bit too much of a Prince Charming?”

“Yes, why?”

“He returned here the other day, carrying all sorts of flower arrangements for me,” she said, annoyed.

I looked around here on the outside of the bakery and peeked through the window.

“What are you looking for, Robert?”

“Well, if you said he brought you numerous flower arrangements, how come I don’t see them anywhere here?”

“It’s because I didn’t accept one from him,” she replied.

“You didn’t?”

“No, I didn’t. That’s the last thing I would want to happen: accept something from a man and get teased by the whole bakery because of it,” she complained, running her hands through her hair.

“Oh…” Think carefully for the next thing you’ll say to her, Robert. “Does Grandpa Ben tease you with that man? For sure, he will if that man is public with his affections for you.”

“Thankfully, he didn’t.”

I suddenly remembered what she told me on the hills. “Oh, that’s right, you don’t tell Grandpa Ben about your own personal dealings.”

“Robert, Grandpa Ben knew from the moment that man stepped into our bakery that he fancies me,” she quickly blocked my response.

“But if he knows, how come he doesn’t tease you to that man?”

“That… is something I also don’t understand,” she scratched the side of her forehead in confusion. “But one thing’s for sure: he teases me when it comes to you,” he looked back at me.

“That is… a bit… weird,” I stuttered. My heart fluttered with that comment of hers. I didn’t know she was being teased because of me. I actually quite like it, for some reason.

“And I would like to apologize for that odd information but you had to know,” she immediately backtracked.

“No, I don’t mind,” I reassured. I don’t mind because I’m happy to know that at some point, I think Grandpa Ben approves of me for her. It gives me some sort of leverage, should I develop more intimate feelings for her.

“I still have questions for you,” she jumped to a different topic. “I hope it’s okay to keep asking.”

“Go ahead, ask whatever you want,” I gave her a warm smile, rubbing her back softly.

“As we’re both now on the same page, you’re a prince, right?”

“Mm-hm,” I nodded.

“How did you become the prince? Was your family truly born from royalty?” she asked. “Or was there something else that happened for you to end up as a prince?”

“The truth is… we’re not completely from the royal family,” I replied. “My parents were ones of the lords and ladies of the court that revolted against the previous monarch before them.”

“Revolted? Why?”

“There was a conspiracy… that my grandfather, who was king during his time, was killed by the two men who wanted the throne for himself,” I began the story. “They tore down the kingdom to shreds, everyone was starving. The remaining family members of my father and my mother revolted alongside the townspeople to remove them from power.”

“And how did that make your family the current monarchs?”

“My father and mother were married off quickly and with the blessing of the high gods, they were made monarchs by them and the people as well,” I answered.

“I’m sorry if I’m being too intrusive, Robert,” she apologized once more. “I just want to get to know you more.”

“Don’t apologize, Laura,” I laid my hand on hers. “I don’t mind, really. I also feel the same way; wanting to know you more.”

“Well, to your dismay, there’s not much to know about me,” she continued. “And if there are any, you already know them at this point. You have lots of stories about your life so it’s best to say that I’m the one who has a lot of questions to throw.”

I sighed, chuckling from her response. She has a point and she continues to amuse me with her smart answers. “Well then, go ahead and ask me.”

“Are you the eldest family in your generation? Is that why you were made as monarchs of the kingdom?”

“On the contrary, my father was actually the youngest,” I shook my head.

“Youngest?” she asked, confused. “I thought it was always the eldest child who gets the throne.”

“It’s odd, isn’t it?” I smiled. “Well, the people preferred my father because of the strength and qualities he showed to the people. Also, his siblings weren’t brave enough to join the revolt so the people held my father in high regards.”

“Didn’t your father’s siblings try to steal the throne from him?” she asked, shifting her body wholly to my direction. “As you mentioned, he’s the youngest. Technically, that’s wrong, right?”

“Yes, the eldest brain-washed my father’s siblings and they all tried to remove him from the throne,” I replied. “But the people defended my parents and his siblings were banished from the kingdom.”

“Oh, that’s quite… tragic for your relatives,” her tone changed.

I poked her nose to prevent her from being sad. “Don’t think about it. They do deserve it, after all.”

She nodded. “You have a point there. The people were the ones who put your parents there. If they had a monarch they don’t like, civil war is a possibility.”

“You’re quite smart, Laura. How do you know that a civil war will happen?” I answered, looking at her with an expression of shock and confusion.

Her eyes widened for a while and she stayed quiet for a few seconds. “Well… from hearing stories from Grandpa Ben, he said that usually happens when the people aren’t satisfied with the current monarch,” she explained.

I smirked. “Grandpa Ben must’ve worked for a royal family before, huh?”

“He did work for a rich family who acted like royalty,” she quickly answered.

“Really?” I asked in enthusiasm. “Mind telling me the story?”

“Well, it all started--”

“Laura,” Ronald peaked out to us from the entrance. “I hope your short time with your friend over here is enough because you’re needed back inside,” he snapped.

“Oh, of course,” she nodded. “Tell Grandpa Ben that I’ll be right there.”

He scoffed as he entered the bakery.

“Why do you always have to put up with him?” I asked as she turned back to me, annoyed.

“Robert, I have no other choice but to bear with him,” she grinned after a sigh. “And I can’t remove him, only Grandpa Ben can make that decision.

“Then why does he let you work with a person like that? Clearly he has no respect for you,” I continued my complaint.

She giggled and cupped my face with her hand. “Would you calm down, Robert? You mustn’t be bothered by this because you don’t even work here.”

I held her hands caressing them with my thumbs, “I’m just worried that he might do something to you. It’s something I will never forgive.”

She sighed and shook her head, still smiling at me. “You are impossible,” she remarked, shaking my face slowly before letting it go. “I better get going,” she stood up. “I don’t want to have another confrontation with Ronald.”

I moved closer to her, holding her hands. “If he does that again, you tell me the next time I visit you, okay?”

She nodded with a smile, hugging me without warning.

At that moment, I was frozen. I didn’t hug her back, I didn’t push her away. My arms were just hanging in the air and my mind was blank. I didn’t know how to react to what she just did.

She then pulled away, smiled and went back inside.

And I was still standing in the same exact position, trying to process what just happened. Mixed emotions started messing with my body. I was shaking on the inside, my heart was racing, my brain was still in a blur and my legs didn’t want to move.

I was removed from this state because someone suddenly pushed me from behind, causing me to have a bit of stumble. I turned to see Lady behind me. She whinnied after I gave her a “What was that?” look.

“You really had to do that to wake me up, Lady?” I talked to her.

She shook her head and started counting.

I shook my head and walked to her, jumping on and started riding back to the castle.

Walking down the hallway, I saw my sister reading a book as she’s walking. I slowly crept behind her and screamed, causing her to shriek and drop her book.

I laughed at her, losing my breath in the process.

“Robert, don’t do that!” she hit me twice on the arm.

“I’m sorry,” I continued to laugh. “Your expression was just priceless.”

She picked up her book with a sigh. “Why do you always have to scare me when you know I’m in the middle of doing something?” she asked with utter frustration.

“I don’t know, I just really want to see how you react when you get scared,” I said, snickering as I tried my best to suppress my laughter.

“Oh, go ahead, laugh all you want. I’ll get you back one way or another,” she rolled her eyes.

“Of  course, you will,” I put my arm on her shoulders, pulling her closer to me. “Where’s Mother?”

“She’s taking a nap. We read too many books today,” she replied.

“Taking a nap? It’s almost lunch. Shouldn’t she have waited for lunch to end?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure but she said she’ll take a nap first. I’m sure she’ll have her lunch once she wakes up.”

“If she says so,” I sighed, nodding hesitantly.

“Well, if you don’t need anything else, i’m going back to my room,” she removed my arm from her. “As you can see,” she raised the book to my face. “I still have some reading to do.”

I smiled once more at the sight of it. “Oh, have you seen James?”

Her face suddenly made an expression of shock. “Why are you all of a sudden looking for James?”

“I have something to talk to tell him,” I answered, putting my hands in my pocket. “I’m not sure if he’s still in his study so I’m asking if you have seen him anywhere in the castle.”

She nodded and responded, “Unfortunately, I just left the library so I haven’t seen him all morning after he left.”

“You didn’t have breakfast with him and Mother?”

“No, we didn’t,” she shook her head, putting the book behind her back. “James headed directly to his meeting, Mother had tea in the library and I had my breakfast in my study.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask me?” she questioned.

“No, that is all. Thank you, Elizabeth,” I kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry if I bothered you on your reading.”

She smiled, punching me on the cheek. “I don’t mind but what I do mind is you scaring me. Please, don’t do that.”

I giggled and nodded. “For you, I’ll stop… until you get back at me.”

She shook her head and went on her way.

I took a deep breath in and started heading to James' sutdy.

Arriving at the door of James’ study, I put my ear by the door, trying to hear if there’s anyone inside.

“Your Highness?” someone suddenly spoke from behind me, making me jump. I turned around and it was James’ page. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“Is my father inside?” I asked after catching my breath.

“His Majesty is currently in the dining hall, having lunch with his visitors,” he informed. “He’s actually waiting for you. He would like for you to join them.”

Join them for lunch? Aside from the fact that I don’t want to be around James most of the time, I also don’t want to be in the same table as his visitors because I’ll never understand whatever it is they will talk about.

“Should I have a place in the dining table prepared for you?” the page asked.

“There's no need. I’ll have lunch in my study,” I said. “Although, I would love to have a quick word with His Majesty. Could you accompany me and excuse him for a little while?”

“Of course, Your Highness. Right this way, please,” he started walking before me, heading to the dining hall.

As we got closer to the door of the dining hall, I could hear laughter and loud talking inside. They sure are enjoying their time together.

“Your Highness,” the guards bowed at the very sight of me. “Should we announce you?”

“There’s no need for that. The prince is just here to have a word with His Majesty,” the page answered.

The guards nodded and went back to their positions.

James’ page turned around to face me. “I’ll excuse His Majesty from the table. Can I ask for a few seconds?”

I nodded with my lips in a tight line.

He bowed to excuse himself and went inside. As the door closed behind him, the loud conversations diminished into silence in a snap. After a few seconds, James finally came out from the room.

“Robert,” he greeted as he closed the door, walking towards me. “Why didn’t you come inside? We’re all waiting for you to join us.”

“I still have a lot of things to take care of. I’ll have my lunch in my study,” I replied, my hands behind my back.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll have the maids deliver your meal for you,” he nodded. “My page said you wanted to have a word with me. Is there something wrong?”

“Regarding the fishing trip that you want to have today,” I started. As I uttered those words, I could see his eyes widened and right through them, I could see that he suddenly had hope. Hope that I will agree to what he requested. I planned to refuse him but seeing that he’s enthusiastic about it, I think I have to change my decision.

I took a deep breath in, “If you want, we can go later in the afternoon. I have nothing else to do so why don’t we have our fishing trip then?”

“Really? You would go on a fishing trip with me?” he replied with a smile.

“I was planning to do it after Mother and I return from Middle Earth because this morning, my schedule was full,” I answered. “However, I’m close to finishing my work for the day so I have a lot of spare time this afternoon.”

“Oh, that would be perfect, Robert!” he exclaimed. “I’ll have all of my meetings this afternoon postponed as we could go.”

“Wonderful,” I smiled firmly because I’m not too enthusiastic about this decision.

“Well then, I’ll see you later,” he answered, nodding.

I bowed in respect and he went back inside the dining hall.

I sighed and started walking back to my room. I didn’t want to put myself in a situation where I have to be alone with James but as what I promised the women in my life, I have to give him a chance to prove himself.

And I pray that he will prove himself to me this time.

Afternoon has arrived and still, I’ve received no word from James.

I was expecting that he would send his page to inform me if we’re still going through with our plans of going on a fishing trip or not. Although in the very back of my head, I have a feeling that we’re not pushing through today, I’m trying to keep my thoughts positive in order to give him a chance.

A knock came upon my door and the door creaked open. It was my mother, holding a small tray with a small bowl.

“Mother,” I greeted, preparing myself to stand from my bed.

“No need to stand, son,” she said as she walked towards me. “Allow me.” As she reached me, she sat down beside me, revealing a bowl with cookies.

“Who made these?” I asked, getting one.

“I did,” she answered. “I had a lot of spare time so I decided to bake some cookies. After all, I haven’t baked in a while because of royal duties,” she also grabbed one and took a bite.

I closed my eyes as I took a bite of the cookie in my hand. Mother’s cookies are always my perfect kind of cookies. A bit chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outside, something that I like. When I taste Mother’s cookies, I can taste the love that she puts into them which makes it special.

“I’m surprised you’re not in your study, handling reports,” she continued the conversation. “During this time, I could never disturb you.”

“I’m waiting for James,” I answered, getting another cookie.

“Why are you waiting for your father? Did he assign anything to you?”

“Oh, he said we’d go on a fishing trip today,” I explained, finishing the cookie that’s in my hand. “I’m just waiting for his signal to prepare.”

“Well, that’s odd,” Mother remarked as she took another cookie, her brows furrowed. “Your father said he’s going on a quick trip with the lords right now.”

“What?”

“Yes, he’s currently in his study, preparing for the trip.”

I stood up and started heading to the door, my hands clenched into fists as I took another step forward.

“Robert, please,” I heard my mother call out to me before I shut the door behind me.