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I devoured the food because I was hungrier than I thought. And it really was as good as I said. Just like everything I’d eaten there, it had a spark of fire that warmed me to a state of total comfort. After bathing and hobbling back to the bed, I quickly fell asleep.
The next day, as in previous mornings, Maryl met me at the door. I expected her usual bubbly demeanor, but there was something off about her. Her smile wasn’t as bright. It didn’t take long for me to realize it was because of Asante. When I first met her, she seemed pleased that I didn’t want to be there. It was like a relief for her. But with rumors spreading about our supposed engagement, she could no longer feel the same.
“You must be happy to have your own space.” Maryl said as she opened the door to the private kitchen. “I know it must have been so uncomfortable for you yesterday, what being with the rest of us low cooks and all.”
My heart thumped at her sudden harsh attitude toward me. “Yes, thank you. It’s only because I’m not used to working while being watched.”
“Of course.” She didn’t even try to hide her disbelief. “No one has needed to be in here since they built the larger kitchen. But we worked all night to clean it up and make sure it was ready for you.”
“I really appreciate that. Thank you.”
“Let me know if you need anything.” She gave me a tight nod.
“I will. Thank you.”
“Oh, and you won’t have the wear the uniform anymore. Since you’re not in the main kitchen, the queen won’t care what you wear. She never comes in here. She’s always hated this space. Said it was too small and smelled funny.”
I wrinkled my nose at the thought, but found relief that I wouldn’t have to worry about any uncomfortable meetings with the queen. “Okay, thank you for letting me know.”
I thought about asking her about Asante. The strained, almost painful, curve of her lips stopped me in my tracks. So instead, I thanked her once again for helping me. And she left me alone.
This kitchen felt more like my bakery. Quiet, small, and much cozier than the large, overpopulated space where the others worked. I didn’t feel like I was in the way or being monitored.
I looked around, inspecting the equipment and making sure everything I needed was there. He’d even stocked it with my preferred ingredients.
My mind raced back to the thing I wanted to forget. The kiss. My face flushed with heat as I thought about how he caught me from my fall. And how he asked me not to hit him. I should have slapped him if for nothing but to keep the distance in our relationship. The problem was, I didn't want to. The more I thought about it, the moment we shared, the way he cared for me after I was hurt, even his uncle's words, the more I realized something was changing between us.
“Get over it, Kiala. The kiss wasn’t that good.” I told myself before I got to work. Eventually, he would come, and I wanted his desserts to be ready for him.
But something was different. I hummed, a soft melody that I only sang when I was my happiest. I paused. Hands deep in the dough I was kneading. My stomach fluttered and my pulse quickened. Did I actually want to cook for him? Was I happy about feeding him?
“This is going too far!” I slapped the dough. “I’m only here until the deal is done! Then I can live the life I truly want. This is not the life I want!”
I spent the next few hours making the best versions of my desserts that I could. With my privacy, I could do the process exactly how I would any other time. There was no one to watch me pull the ice. No one to report me to the queen for doing the practice.
How would they feel about having an ice dragon cooking for the prince? Maybe they would think someone sent me there to hurt him. Would they capture me? Punish me? A wave of anxieties washed over me as these thoughts raced through my mind. And what would Asante think if he ever found out who I was? What would it mean for him if anyone else did? But my worries didn't stop me from doing what I needed to do. And by the time Maryl returned to take me to him, everything was ready.
As before, she led me straight to the prince. Only this time, there wasn’t any chatter. No talk about what the other workers said or did. She walked me there, had an awkward exchange with him, and then left us alone. He was in the same spot as before, underneath the flowered arch.
“You're all right.” I said once we were alone.
“Shouldn't I be asking that about you?” He looked down at my ankle.
“I’m fine.” I lifted my ankle and rolled it around. “It doesn't hurt at all anymore. I didn’t even need my cane.”
“That was fast.” He frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Apparently, I wasn’t as hurt as I thought.” The lie left a funny taste in my mouth that I ignored.
“Well, that’s good. And why are you worried about me being alright?”
“You weren't there when I woke up.” I admitted. “I expected you to be.”
The corner of his lips lifted; he liked that I wanted him there. “I’m sorry, I had to take care of something.”
“Is everything alright?”
“It is, and it will be even better if those desserts taste like they did the first time I had them.” He pointed to the tray in my hand.
“Have at it.” I pushed the tray towards him and watched him to pick a dessert.
He pondered for a moment before choosing the jelly filled roll dusted with essence of fire flower. He peered at me, his brow furrowed, as if worried I hadn’t done them right. The silence hung heavy in the air.
“They’re good. Just try it.” I urged him.
“I trust you.” He closed his eyes and bit down into the pastry. And a moment later, his expression shifted into one of pleasure, his eyelids fluttered, and he moaned softly. “Mmm. Finally.”
“How are they?”
“They're perfect.” He took another bite. “Even better than before, if that’s possible.”
“Good.” I sat the tray down on the table next to him. “I'll leave these here with you. I need to go get cleaned up.”
“Put on something nice.” He said, after picking up another pastry. “I like the dress you wore yesterday. Do you have something else like that?”
“Why?” My brow lifted in suspicion.
“I would like to take you to dinner.” He admitted.
I laughed and crossed my arms over my chest. “You want to have dinner with me? Like a date?”
“We are supposed to be keeping up appearances, right?” he looked at me. “How would it look if we shared no time together apart from you delivering these creations to me?”
As he moved closer, his breath brushed my cheek, and my pulse quickened with anticipation. “I would treat the woman I intended to marry much better than that.”
“Of course.” That was the only thing I could think to say that wouldn’t betray me and reveal the response I had to him. As he came closer, a feeling of anticipation, like butterflies, took flight in my stomach. Afraid to find out what would happen if we remained close, I stepped back and awkwardly turned to leave. My face flushed with heat when I heard his chuckle behind me. He was proud of himself.
Hours later, a quiet guard escorted me from my room. When the knock sounded on my door, I found relief to open it and see no one I recognized. I had feared he would send Domin. I didn’t care if Asante or anyone else believed me. I knew my gut instinct told the truth. That man didn't like me, and I didn't like him either.
I fussed over my dress, a soft lilac color with red detailing throughout the skirt. That was the one thing I missed about my old life, the dresses. As much as I wanted my freedom, I hated that it meant giving them up. But I couldn’t realistically parade around my bakery in lacey gowns that were too expensive for my income to cover. It would have raised my customers’ suspicions.
I thought we might be going somewhere away from the palace. Somewhere we could get privacy, but apparently Asante meant what he said about keeping up appearances. Because the guard led me to the picnic style dinner setting in the center of the massive garden that sat east of the palace. Underneath a canopy of bright yellow and purple leaves, Asante stood waiting for me. He smiled at me, completely ignoring the salute the guard gave him before leaving us alone.
“This is beautiful,” I commented as the leaves rustled gently above his head.
“Well, I know you like nature, but I didn't want to risk taking you out far again, just in case.”
“I told you. My ankle is fine.”
“I know, but my uncle gave clear instructions to keep you off of it as much as possible. You’re supposed to be resting. Not going on nature hikes. And besides, but my uncle is not one to be disobeyed.”
“The two of you are very close, aren’t you?”
“Yes, we are. The curse of being the second born. Important, but not the focal point. I spent a lot of time with my uncle while my parents prepared my older brother for his duties as future king.” He paused. “My uncle was there for me when it felt like everyone had forgotten me.”
“And what about now?” I asked. “Now that everyone is looking at you?”
“He is still there.” Asante nodded. “He helps me stay grounded. I expected none of this. I was content to live my life as the brother of the king. It felt like the best option. I see what my father has gone through. Missing out on so many things because of his duties, but my uncle was always there.”
“I thought he was your mother’s brother.” I let the words slip before I could think better of it. Shouldn’t I know their family history? Royalty or not, if I were a fire dragon, I would know those things. Asante didn’t seem to think it was a problem.
“Many people think that.” Asante smiled. “It’s understandable. He refers to her as sister because they’ve known each other for so long, but he is my father’s brother.”
“I’ll have to thank him for taking such care of me.”
“He’ll say your resting and healing is thanks enough.” He ushered me to the padded seating on the ground. “Is this comfortable for you?”
“Yes, it is. Thank you.” I adjusted the dress around my legs. “So, tell me, what else should I know about you?”
“Excuse me?” He asked as he began plating our food from the basket.
“I’m supposed to be your love interest, I should know more about you. At least the basics.”
“You’re right. If anyone asks, you’ll need to be able to answer honestly.”
“Exactly. So, lay it on me. Tell me everything important about Prince Asante.”
Between eating and drinking, he told me everything about him, from his childhood into his adulthood. He told me about his brother and how he felt his mother wanted a daughter. Asante boasted about how proud he was of his father and how he wished he could spend more time with him. Our conversation moved between serious topics and lighthearted ones.
It was during a bout of laughter when a voice interrupted our pleasant meal.
“Isn’t this nice?” The queen spoke, standing across from us in the garden. Neither of us had heard her approach, her footsteps muffled by the grass covered grounds.
“Mother.” Asante stood and I followed suit. “What are you doing here?”
“Am I not allowed in my garden?” She looked around him at me. “I see you two are enjoying it here.”
“Yes, we are.” He moved closer to her and said something under his breath I couldn’t hear.
“If only she was from a good bloodline.” The queen said, and I heard that just fine.
“Please, just leave.”
“Fine.” She paused. “But I want time with this woman. Kiala. I hope you’ll join me for tea tomorrow."
“Of course,” I bowed. “It would be an honor to have tea with you.”
“I’m sure.” She turned her nose up, shot Asante a hard side glance, then left.
“You don’t have to do that.” Asante returned to me. “It’s not necessary.”
“Of course I do. If this is going to look legit, I must appear to care about what your mother thinks of me.”
“She will try to find out everything about you. I know she already has people investigating you.”
“I would expect nothing less. You are the prince, after all.”
He laid a hand on my arm, his eyes intense and unwavering as he spoke. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“Of course.” I pulled away from his touch. “I’ll keep my end of the bargain, you keep yours.”