The Elementiels

Ch. 15: FLAMES OF RESOLVE

Later that evening, the grand dining hall of the castle was illuminated by the warm glow of golden chandeliers. The long, ornate table was adorned with a feast fit for royalty, the aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked bread filling the air. King Arthur entered the room, his steps measured yet relaxed. He took his seat at the head of the table, a content smile gracing his face.

“My, my,” he said, surveying the spread before him. “What a delightful treat we have tonight.”

The maids standing nearby exchanged shy smiles, bowing their heads in unison. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” they said, their voices soft with gratitude.

The king’s eyes twinkled with warmth as he looked at them. “Bless you all for your hard work. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.”

The maids blushed at the unexpected praise, curtsying quickly before retreating from the room. As the door creaked open, Princess Emily stepped inside, her presence commanding the quiet elegance of the hall as she made her way to her seat.

“Welcome, Your Highness,” the maids greeted her before quietly exiting, leaving the father and daughter alone in the vast hall.

King Arthur studied his daughter as she settled into her chair. Her expression was calm, but there was a subtle weight in her demeanor that caught his attention. “So,” he began casually, his voice gentle, “how was your conversation with young Jason?”

Emily hesitated, her fingers brushing over the silverware beside her plate. “It was… fine, Dad.”

The king raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening slightly. “Are you certain, my love? You seem… preoccupied.”

Emily offered him a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Don’t worry, I’m alright,” she assured him, her voice softer now.

The king studied her for a moment longer before nodding. “If you say so, my dear.”

They ate in companionable silence for a while, the occasional clink of silverware was the only sound between them. But the king’s thoughts lingered on Jason, and he couldn’t help but speak again. “His grandfather,” he said thoughtfully, “is truly a man of great humility and heart. And as for Jason… he is certainly a fine young man. Handsome, too, wouldn’t you agree?”

Emily, caught off guard, felt a rush of heat rise to her cheeks. She cleared her throat and glanced down at her plate. “Well… yes, I suppose he is. So what?”

The king laughed heartily, the sound echoing through the hall. “Hahaha! Nothing, nothing at all. I’m just impressed, that’s all. And the fact that they’re bakers? Truly remarkable. You must try one of their treats—they’re simply divine.”

He reached for a small plate of cookies nearby, plucking one and offering it to her. Emily hesitated, eyeing the cookie as though it were a puzzle she wasn’t sure she wanted to solve. After a moment, she took it, her delicate fingers brushing against her father’s hand.

She bit into the cookie tentatively, and her expression shifted almost immediately. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly in surprise. “This is… actually quite good,” she admitted, her voice tinged with genuine astonishment.

“I told you, didn’t I?” the king said with a triumphant grin. “Their pastries are extraordinary. I honestly wouldn’t mind having them visit again—just for more of these!”

But Emily barely heard him. As she chewed, the taste lingered on her tongue, rich and comforting, yet tinged with something deeper. Her thoughts drifted back to Jason’s words from earlier that day—about the joy he found in making others smile, about the heart he poured into his craft. A bittersweet feeling crept into her chest, and she lowered the cookie, her expression clouded.