Regal

1. Decades

Chapter 1: Decades

{Avalon Bakery, Ten Years Later}

The rustic, savory smell of bread tickled Evie's nose as she placed each loaf carefully in the woven basket.

"Evie! I brought you that flour you asked for!" A tall young man strolled in, dropping a heaping sack of white flour on the workplace next to her.

"Thanks, Max." Her only other sibling smiled down on her, then smacked her shoulder.

"Sure, sis." He paused, than lay his hand on the handle of his sword, strolling out the door. Evie smiled and shook her head, rubbing her shoulder.

After he left, a little strawberry haired head poked out of the pantry.

"Is...is...was...was...erm.."

"Maisie! Spit it out! Your stutter is getting worse and worse."

"R-right. Um..was that.Max?" As soon as she said his name her face flushed. Evie sighed.

"Yes." She dropped the last loaf into the basket and cradled it in her arms, turning to Maisie. "Sometimes I worry about him, being a knight and all." Maisie blinked, emerging completely from the dim pantry. Her little blue petticoat was worn and old, but still matched her eyes vibrantly.

"I-I..I think it's very brave of him!" She smiled bashfully. Evie faltered. Ever since they'd lost their sibling and mother that day 10 years ago, Max had been determined to fight in the regiment, waiting for the soldiers that had killed them. She shook her head, holding out a rag.

"You better start kneading this dough, we don't want to waste the batch." Maisie's smiled faded as she hurried to work. Evie turned on her heel into the shop and carefully placed the basket on a wood table, rearranging the loaves that had shifted.

"That's some nice bread you've got there."

Evie jumped a bit, whirling around towards the voice. All she could see was a tall dark figure leaning in the doorframe.

"Who's there?" She took a step towards the figure. After a pause, a young man lifted himself off the frame and strolled over to her, dirty blonde hair coming into vision.

"What? Am I not allowed to be here? I am a customer, after all." He placed a long-fingered hand on a loaf of bread, smirking down at her. Her shoulders tensed, becoming increasingly aware of his piercing emerald eyes and sharp jawline. She almost didn't notice him hold up the loaf. He inspected it.

"Fine quality." The mysterious man observed in a baritone voice. 

"It's the best in the village." She replied proudly, breaking from the trance. She ducked away from him and began to tend to the other bread loaves. He chuckled.

"I wouldn't get so ahead of yourself, cheri. I haven't had any yet." She turned to him, hand on her hip. His smile faded in surprise.

"Who made you the judge?"

Slowly the same smirk molded into his face again as he pulled out a pouch.

"I happen to have very good taste."

Evie rolled her eyes and turned her back again to him, annoyed but intrigued by the stranger. She made no movement as she heard his riding boots hit the wood floor. Suddenly a pouch fell in front of her, gold coins pouring out. One coin spun for a while, dropping right between her hands. Her eyes trailed up his white shirt and their eyes locked. Without looking away, he spoke.

"I'd like 12 loaves."

She froze, searching his face for any amount of facetiousness. He stood still, staring her down, a smirk inching it's way onto his face. After a pause, Evie picked up the flawless, lustrous coin.

"You're used to getting what you want, aren't you?"

Smiling, the man reached over, sliding the basket out from her hands. He stooped his head down, his eyes fixated on hers.

"Usually, yes."

----

The last wrapped loaf was placed in the man's saddle bag, and Evie couldn't help but linger in his presence. He noticed her dark eyes on him as he prepared his horse. Making a small turn he gestured towards her with his chin.

"Call me forward, but I'd like to know your name."

Evie pretended to dust her hands off on her apron, causing his face to lighten at her stubbornness. He effortlessly turned to her and leaned against his brown, shiny Thoroughbred. "Chris." Hearing the stranger's name softened her tight features as she started for the door.

Just loud enough for him to hear, she spoke. "Evie."

She heard nothing as he swung his leg over the horse's back. "Hopefully we'll meet again, Evie."

The sound of horse rushing away caused her to look, catching a glimpse of the back of his head. Suddenly it became all too real to her. His voice echoed through her mind, repeating his name over and over again. His face and frame she had seen a million times from far away, standing in the Palace balconies next to the beautiful queen and large, greying king. The only difference was a drastic change in clothing, almost as if he was playing dress up in a commoner's clothes. 

Her fists tightened in anger and embarrassment.

How had she not noticed before?

It was Prince Christian of Avalon.

The name for which her brother was sacrificed years ago.

----

Christian jumped off his steed as it slowed to a stop, a trick he'd been practicing since he was a boy. Handing the reigns off to a servant, he gathered the loaves, ignoring the questioning look on the skinny man's face. He strode across the vibrant green lawn and stepped up the large marble staircase, juggling all the loaves. Just as he reached the top and it dawned on him that he had no way to open the door, the grand glass and iron parted before him, and little girl jumped out.

"Christian! Christian!" His little sister shouted, spinning gleefully. She stopped short at the sight of a dozen loaves and looked at her brother. "What are those for?" He smiled and placed a large hand on the little wispy blonde head.

"Good afternoon, Lola." He kneeled down, gesturing toward a loaf at the top with a beautiful smile. The little girl gladly plucked it out of his arms, took a bite out of it, and ran back into the palace who's intricacies only seemed normal to her.

Lola yelled behind her, giggling. "Thank you, brother!"

The prince handed the loaves off to a maid and continued up the steps to his bedroom. He sat in a chair and leaned back, looking up to the ornate, painted ceiling. Often he admired the intricate patterns of swirling stars and the glowing moon. Instead, his mind was fogged as to why he was sent to the humble little bread shop. Who was this girl Evie he felt the need to meet? Pretty though she was, he couldn't think of the significance or assistance she could offer in the war Avalon was about to encounter.

Uneasy, Christian began to think of ways he could meet her again. He didn't know what it was, but he felt as though she was the last thing that could help him.

//////////////

Sorry this chapter was late! I've been kept so busy with finals and finishing up this semester of school.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I think this more of an introductory chapter, but I promise there is going to be more new characters you will love..;)

Thank you for you support!

Xoxo
Hazzellenut;))