In the kingdom of Clovendale, Princess Isadora is suffocated by the weight of royal expectations and a future sealed by an arranged marriage. Desperate for freedom, she regularly escapes to a nearby village, this is where she meets Gabriel-a commone...
I leaned against the cool wall of the bakery, my heart still racing as I tried to catch my breath. The adrenaline from my escape was fading, replaced by a heavy tension in the air. I cautiously glanced out the window, and my heart sank at the sight of knights patrolling the square.
"Knights?" He whispered, his eyes wide with panic. "What are they doing here? This isn't good... DON'T TELL ME THEY'RE AFTER YOU!" The stranger stresses.
I could feel the panic rising in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. "They can't know I'm here. I need to do something,' I thought to myself.
His brow furrowed, and I could see the gears turning in his head. "Who are you really?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his tone.
"I'm just a villager," I said quickly, hoping to avoid the truth. "They must have mistaken me for someone else. My name is Isa."
"Isa, huh?" He studied me for a moment, then his expression turned serious. "Well, Isa, you need to get out of this bakery. Now."
"Wait!" I protested, desperation creeping into my voice. "Don't kick me out! I can help! Look at all the orders you have to fill. This place is a mess. If I can bake with you, it might keep me hidden until things calm down."
He hesitated, glancing at the clock and then at the cluttered counter covered in sticky notes detailing the day's orders. "I don't have time to babysit you," he muttered, but I could see his resolve weakening.
"Please," I urged. "Just give me a chance. I know my way around a kitchen, and we can finish these orders faster together."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well if we're going to work together,you may as well know my name." He murmurs. "Well,what is your name?" I tilt my head. "Gabriel," he says.
As we mixed flour and sugar, the bakery transformed into a whirlwind of activity. I found joy in the rhythm of baking alongside him, the warmth of the oven filling the air.
"Did you always want to be a baker?" I asked, trying to break the ice as I kneaded dough.
Gabriel shook his head, a wistful look crossing his face. "Not really. I was born into a poor family. My parents worked day and night just to keep food on the table. When I was about ten, my father fell ill, and we lost everything. I had to find work wherever I could. Baking was just something I picked up to survive."
I paused, taking in his story. "That must have been hard."
"It was," he replied, a hint of sadness in his voice. "But you do what you have to do to stay alive. This bakery is my life now. It may not be glamorous, but at least I'm making something real." He says determined.
"Anyways I've told you something about me,what about you Isa? Anything mysterious about you?" Gabriel asks to brighten the mood.
I couldn't exactly say that I was the Princess that the knights were after...
"I-um," I began—Wondering what to say or what not to say.
"I'm allergic to strawberries," I shrug,face flushed with the colour red.
"Pfft, HAHAHA!" He laughs. I couldn't believe this was happening.
"I'M NOT LYING! But fine,keep on laughing at me," I roll my eyes,but I couldn't help but smile.
"I'm sorry Isa,I'll keep that in mind," he continues to laugh.
Thats when I noticed his smile, so bright and huge. His dimples saying hello as he grins. When did his contempt,nonchalant face, become something I enjoyed to see? Is this what warmth feels like? Not some coat, fireplace...
eventhe roars from the sun can't compare.
As we worked, I couldn't help but notice the way his muscles flexed as he kneaded the dough, the light catching the scruff on his jawline. "Snap out of it!" I thought.
There was an intensity in his gaze that sent a flutter through my stomach, and I found myself blushing as our arms brushed against each other. It was a simple touch, yet it ignited a spark of awareness between us, something more than just the urgency of our task. "Get a hold of yourself Isadora," I whisper at a decibel in which only I could hear. "Hm?" Gabriel says in result. "Oh,nothing" I say scratching my head in embarrassment. "Pfft there's some flour on you.." he laughs. "wait WHAT!" My face is flushed red. I try wiping my face
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"Here let me do it..." Gabriel wipes my face for me. Even in the silence,there was something there that I just couldn't explain. "Thank you Gabriel," I smile. There was something different about this grin of mine. It wasn't some mask where I fake how I feel,no. This was genuine.
We continue baking til all the orders were done. "Not bad for some run away criminal," Gabriel smirks. "Yeah whatever you say Gabriel,"a playful spark in my eyes. I glance out the window and notice the guards gone. "I should go... I'll see you again Gabriel," I exclaim.
"Do I really want to see a troublemaker back in my bakery?" He chuckles.
I laugh. "Don't lie to yourself,of course you do,"I wink.
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