Cloak and Scalpel

An Idyllic Life

Aamon decided to stay for two more days in the village before heading on to Castle Aberleen. He had sent a letter with his seal ahead to inform the castle of his imminent arrival. Elric, whom I found a bit obsequious, insisted on giving Aamon and I the best rooms in the village inn. He also insisted on throwing a feast that night for the Duke, who saw it as an opportunity to spread the story of his fiancée. Really selling it, he was.

"I can't believe that idiot actually kissed you!" Gusion guffawed loudly. He and I were sitting in Mila's kitchen with Arlott. He would be staying with Mila and Arlott in secret while Aamon and I stayed at the inn. But in all honesty, I preferred Mila's little kitchen.

I glared at Gusion over the piece of toast I was buttering. "By any chance, was that forehead kiss your idea?" I asked acidly.

Gusion laughed again. "Aamon's so serious about his job, he's practically clueless about everything else! Argh!"

He let out a muffled cry as buttered toast slammed against his face. Mila laughed and even Arlott let out a small smile. "I ought to strangle you," I threatened.

"I can do that," Arlott said quietly. Gusion and I stared at him in surprise, and he hastily looked away.

Did he just...try to make a joke?

Mila, who was busying herself at her oven, smiled at him from over her shoulder. "I made cupcakes for our picnic!" she said cheerfully as the sweet smell of baking filled the air. She opened the oven and took out her tray of cupcakes. "Might need to let these cool down first!"

"Those smell heavenly," I said, making my way to her. "You're a very talented baker Mila. Wish I could bake."

"I could teach you!" Mila said cheerily as she prepared her frosting. "It's easy. Then you can bake delicious cakes for the duke!"

"For the duke!" Gusion echoed, nodding his head in agreement. This guy...

"Maybe one day when we come back," I said. "We'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon, sadly."

"Okay, next time!" Mila paused then grinned. "Oh, how about I teach you how to do frosting? You can decorate cupcakes for the duke."

I smiled as Mila began to show me how to mix the powdered sugar and butter in her bowl. "You're a natural!" Mila complimented as we began to transfer the frosting into piping bags.

"Only because I have a good teacher," I said, grinning at her. "You know, I've never done this before. Thank you, Mila."

"Hey, those look good," Gusion said, ambling towards us. He tried to reach for a cupcake, and I quickly snatched it from his hand.

"Hands off," I said.

"Those are for our picnic!" Mila said.

"What picnic?" Gusion asked.

"Our afternoon picnic!" Mila insisted. "Diana, Arlott and I are going. You and the Duke can come along too."

Gusion sat back down at his seat, muttering about cupcakes. Arlott raised an eyebrow at him. "Would you like one, Arlott?" I offered the hybrid, who politely shook his head.

"Hey!" Gusion snapped.

"And what is all the fuss about?" The door to the cottage swung open, and Aamon strode in, apparently finished with whatever business he had with the village leader. I inwardly groaned as I remembered the kiss he gave me earlier.

"We're making cupcakes," I said in what I hoped was a nonchalant voice. I held out the cupcake. To my surprise, he grasped my wrist and took a bite of the cupcake from my hand.