'A Princess and a Commoner: Star Crossed Lovers'

Baked Lies

(ISADORA'S POV CONTINUED)

As I turned to leave the bakery, a flutter of uncertainty filled my chest. I had escaped the knights, but now I felt an unexpected pull to stay. There was something about Gabriel, something that made me want to linger just a moment longer.

"Wait," he called, stopping me in my tracks. I turned back to see his expression shift from playful to serious. "Are you really going to just walk away? You could get caught again. You should stay hidden for a while longer."

"I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself," I replied, my tone sharper than intended. "I can't just hide forever."

Gabriel crossed his arms, a challenge gleaming in his eyes. "And what do you plan to do? Run around the village while the knights are still looking for you? That's a recipe for disaster."

I felt my resolve falter. He was right, and it frustrated me. "Fine, then. What do you suggest? Should I just stay here and help you bake for the rest of my life?"

"Well, it's better than being out there where you could get caught," he said, his gaze softening slightly. "Besides, you're good at this."

"Good at baking? Or good at causing trouble?" I shot back, a smirk playing on my lips.

Gabriel chuckled, the tension between us easing just a bit. "Both, it seems. But look, how about this? Stay for a few days, help me out, and then we'll figure out a plan for you to leave. Just—try not to cause too much chaos."

I considered it. I wanted to fight him, to insist that I didn't need his help, but the truth was, I didn't want to leave just yet. Maybe staying would buy me some time. "Alright, fine. I'll help. But I'm not going to become your personal assistant, Gabriel."

He smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting in a way that made my heart race. "Deal."

Over the next few days, I immersed myself in the bakery's rhythm. We worked side by side, and I couldn't help but notice how easily we fell into a routine, teasing each other with playful banter as we kneaded dough and decorated pastries. The more time I spent with Gabriel, the more I learned about him—and the more I found myself drawn to him.

One evening, while we were closing up, I caught him staring at me as I arranged a tray of pastries. His gaze was intense, almost hungry, and I felt a rush of warmth flood my cheeks.

"Is something on my face?" I asked, half-joking, but my heart raced as I realized how close we were.

He shook his head, his expression unreadable. "No, just thinking."

"About what?" I pressed, curiosity piquing my interest.

"About how you've changed everything in this bakery," he replied quietly, stepping a little closer. "I didn't know how much I needed the distraction until you showed up."

My breath hitched in my throat. "And what if I'm not just a distraction?"

Gabriel met my gaze, the playful spark in his eyes dimming as seriousness enveloped us. "Then I guess we'll have to see where this goes."

The moment stretched, charged with unspoken words, and I felt a pull toward him that I couldn't resist. But before I could react, the bell above the bakery door jingled, breaking the tension. A young boy burst in, clutching a crumpled piece of paper.

"Gabriel! I saw the knights!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with fear.

Gabriel's expression shifted instantly, the carefree air dissipating. "What did they say?"

"They're looking for Isa," the boy replied breathlessly, holding up the poster with my face on it.

My heart dropped as I recognized the words scrawled beneath: "Wanted: The Runaway Princess."