Three Pretty Princesses

Chapter 14- Evalyn

"I've been baking since I was six years old," Reese explained, as he motioned for Evalyn to enter the bakery, "I was out on the streets when Head-chef Christopher found my parents. A gold a week for my family- it was too good an offer for mother and father to pass up, so they handed me over."

"Your parents sold you into slavery?" Evalyn gulped.
"Nah, they knew it was a better life for me here anyway. I get fed, clothed, and have the opportunity to spend time with pretty women. What more could a gentleman want in life?" Reese laughed.

Evalyn felt her heart flutter. "Do you like it, though? Do you like baking?"

"I love it. No one could spend a day with Christopher without learning to love the art, let alone a decade," Reese said, plucking a croissant from a basket and handing it to Evalyn, "Try it."

Evalyn took a bite. As she expected, it was delicious. The croissant was crispy yet soft, and buttery but not soggy.
"By Typtris himself," Evalyn murmured, before taking another bite. She slipped the leftovers into her corset for later enjoyment.

"Even if I was a rich noble like you, I would still want to bake," Reese admitted.

Evalyn said, "Gods, you need to teach me how to. I'm bloody awful. I'm the kind of girl who likes to wing things, which never ends well with baking. I always get overzealous with the butter, because I like butter."

"Yeah, that must be your issue. It's not about adding a lot of butter, it's about cooking it so that the flavour is most apparent," Reese explained.

Reese talking about baking was adorable. Evalyn had always loved hearing people talk about the things they love. Seeing their eyes light up, and their words filled with excitement made her feel warm and fuzzy inside. Hearing Reese talk about what he loved was less fuzzy and more complete pandemonium in her stomach.

To Evalyn, romance had always been a game. In Gillamor, she'd loved making boys and girls fall in love with her. She found it fun finding out what her target wanted, and becoming their dream girl. But this was different. Evalyn realised she was less obsessed with becoming Reese's dream girl, and instead just wanted to know him better.

And so, Evalyn stood there in the bakery while Reese raved on about the equipment. Everything was interesting to him, so everything was interesting to her, and everything was perfect.