Page 67 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)
Chapter Forty-Two
Marietta, Before
N ervous behind the counter of her bakery, Marietta fretted after spending the last few days baking and preparing for her first day in business.
Pastries, cookies, and sweet buns filled the case below the counter.
The small fortune she paid for the enchanted cabinets would preserve the quality of her baked goods.
“Ready, my love?” Tilan walked up from the kitchen, the apron around his waist wet from washing dishes. A few loose strands of dark hair broke free from his knot that he pushed away with a hand.
He had been a tremendous help, stocking the shop and readying it to open, even closing his smithy to help her prepare for her opening. If her projections were correct, she’d make enough income to hire a few workers in the coming weeks.
“For the first time in my life, I don’t know if I did enough.
” Marietta frowned, staring out at the seats and tables placed at the front of the shop.
The building sat at the corner of two main streets in Olkia’s central district.
Through the broad windows that overlooked the streets, she could see the uptick in morning foot traffic.
“Who is this version of Marietta?” Tilan said, teasing.
“Never thought I’d see the day you questioned your own work.
You sent your former clients flyers, told all your friends about your opening.
Gods, you even handed out samples in the market—that was just to get the word out.
Per usual, you’ve done more than most people in your position. ”
Marietta shrugged off the compliment. Gods, she really wasn’t acting like herself.
It was hard to, knowing that the work she had been putting in would culminate in how her bakery did this week.
If it was a flop, how could she just go back to helping others’ businesses?
Who’d want a failed business owner to help them?
Anxious to distract herself, she looked around for something to fix.
The last batch of bread was nearly done in the oven as its scent filled the front of the shop.
Marietta passed Tilan to the kitchen in the back, which was double the size of the storefront.
Plenty of storage lined the walls and underneath workspaces, and one wall had four different ovens stacked two by two.
The bread looked perfectly browned as she pulled the loaves from the oven to cool. A specialty box built next to the window drifted the hot bread’s scent to people walking on the street—one of Tilan’s creations. The location would receive a lot of foot traffic that she planned to utilize.
“Being nervous is natural, especially when doing something new. Just don’t spoil it for yourself,” Tilan said, carrying the racks of hot bread.
“I’m not used to feeling nervous,” she muttered. “I’m still excited but I’ll feel better after we get past the first few days.”
With shaky legs, Marietta walked to the front of the shop and unlocked her doors. A peek into the street sent her jaw dropping. People lined up outside, waiting for her to open. She snapped the door shut and looked at Tilan, her eyes wide.
“What is it?” he asked.
“There’s a line of people.”
Tilan stared at her. “That’s a good thing.”
“But it’s a line of people.”
“Mar, you have to let them in.”
She peered out the window. “What if I over-sold the quality of my baking?”
“Then everyone who has had your lemon bars must have shit for taste buds.” Tilan slung a rag over his shoulder. “No one in their right mind would be disappointed in those.”
“You have to say that; you’re my husband.”
Tilan rolled his eyes. “I have no such obligation to lie to you.”
“So, if they’re bad….”
“Marietta, they’re great.”
“Okay, but what about the bread?”
“It’s bread. People like bread.”
“What about—”
“Mar.” Tilan’s voice was soft but assuring. “You’re a damn good baker. Let those poor people in.”
Her heart stuttered as she stared at her husband.
Nothing had ever made her this nervous. Not when she started her last business, not when she married Tilan.
To put herself so boldly out there meant she had farther to fall.
Even with her uncharacteristic anxiousness, Tilan stood by to get her through it.
Alright. She could do it. With a deep breath, she opened the doors and greeted her guests to her bakery, Rise Above. The customers filtered in, the faces of her friends mixed into the crowds. They would take a moment in the craziness to talk as she hustled behind the counter.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” said Pelok’s booming voice as he got to the front of the line. “Looks like the business savant is officially a baker.”
Marietta rolled her eyes as she smiled. “Don’t sound so surprised.”
He held up his hands. “I’m not, I swear. It’s good to have you around all the time.”
Marietta reached over the counter to hug him. “It’s good to be around. What can I get you?”
“Do you have any glasses?” he asked with a grin.
“Seriously?” Marietta gave him a leveling stare.
“It’s only fair if I break about half of yours.”
“Pelok, my friend.” Tilan slung his arm around Marietta as he approached. “You come to my wife’s bakery on the day she’s opening, and you’re heckling her about the glasses again?”
“Gods, it wasn’t even that many.” Marietta shook her head, knowing it had been at least four dozen glasses that shattered at his tavern because she decided to dance on the bar. Well, it was because she fell while dancing on the bar.
Pelok scoffed. “It was that many—”
“I won’t hesitate to kick your ass if you don’t drop it.” Even from behind, Marietta could tell Tilan smiled with the words. The two men had been friends since they were children.
“There will be no ass kicking in my bakery.” Marietta slid out from under Tilan’s arm. “Now, the alley behind the bakery is another story.” Marietta grabbed a box and began filling it with Pelok’s favorites.
“Fine. I’ll accept baked goods as payment for the glasses.” He grabbed the box from Marietta.
“Gods damned leech,” Tilan muttered under his breath as he walked away.
Pelok laughed and tossed a few coins into Marietta’s outstretched hand. The man could act like he only wants to heckle her, but she knew the truth. Pelok came because he was proud and excited for Marietta, even if he showed it in his own way.
A half an hour passed when a body collided with hers. “Look at this place! Gods, Marietta!” Tristina, her closest friend, wrapped her in a tight hug. Her bob of ash blonde hair bounced as she turned her head to check out the space. “Two weeks ago it didn’t look like this.”
“Well, we’ve been at it non-stop.” Marietta hugged her back, taking a moment to catch her breath with her friend.
“I offered to come and help—Kole did too.”
Marietta shewed away the words. “Who would’ve watched the boys?” She shook her head, knowing either Tristina or her husband had to take care of their sons. “I put these to the side for you.”
“Are those the pastries you brought over for tea a few months ago?” Tristina grabbed her arm. “I’ve had dreams about those custard tarts. Will they be here tomorrow?” she asked, taking the box. “Because I’ll need more by then.”
Marietta laughed and took her money before Tristina went on her way. The half-elven woman matched Marietta for her energy, which often meant dancing at taverns until they needed to close for the night. Her heart warmed at the memories.
Patrons came and left the shop all morning.
A long line snaked out the door when Marietta heard a small voice on the other side of the counter.
“Mrs. Reid, do you have the chocolate cookies?” A small half-elven child named Brady asked, clutching his human mother’s hand and standing between her and his elven father.
The Pystier family were the city’s healers. The husband, Hyf, worked with his siblings to help heal the sick in and around the city-state, often at little cost to their patients. They were a cornerstone of their community.
“Of course, I have those chocolate cookies—I know they’re your favorite!” Marietta threw in a few extra baked goods for them.
The faces of her community blurred in front of her, all coming to support her. Marietta could’ve wept from joy if she wasn’t busy running back and forth, helping customers. Tilan continuously refilled the cabinets from their stock in the back. She sold everything by the late afternoon.
Marietta placed a closed sign on the door, locking it behind her. She leaned against the door. Her body was sticky with sweat.
Tilan laughed as he walked over to Marietta and picked her up in a swinging hug. Though his body was slim, smithing kept him strong. “All that worrying just to sell out of everything early.” His kiss was gentle and loving as he held her in the bakery’s front. “I’m proud of you.”
Marietta leaned into his touch, half from exhaustion, half from being in love with this man. Through everything, he had been more than supportive. “I’m surprised so many people came.” Marietta was still in awe, even as her body ached from a day of being on her feet with no break.
“I’m not surprised. The people of this community love you, Mar. You’ve made a bigger impact on them than you realize.” Tilan offered her another quick kiss before disappearing into the back.
Marietta stood in the center of the storefront with her hands on her hips, surveying the damage. She needed to sweep and mop the floors, wipe down the cabinets, and count the money in the register. That didn’t include all the baking she’d need to do for tomorrow.
Tilan returned with a bottle of wine and plates of food. “Take a seat, my love. First, we celebrate. Enjoy this moment.”
They sat in the chairs at the front of the bakery, sipping on wine and eating a meal a friend had dropped off for them. Marietta looked around her bakery, and her heart swelled with love. She had made the right decision.