Three Pretty Princesses

Chapter 19- Evalyn

It was the end of summer. Blistering hot days spent indoors, transformed into warm, sunny picnic days. At night, the sky turned from orange, to pink, to purple, to midnight, transfixing spectators of the sunset. Reese and Evalyn were often spectators. With sweet treats in tow, they'd climb a different hill every night to get a different view of the sun's retreat into the horizon. The end of summer meant the end of summer procession, which was a relief for all involved. A month of being on the move had taken its toll. Every village in Dulcinea had been visited by royalty, and it was time to go home.

On the last night of the procession, at a cute hillside village called Brindle Home, Reese and Evalyn sat eating brownies and talking about whether a lion or a giant serpent would win in a fight.

"It's got to be the serpent," Reese declared, enthusiastically slapping his palm with the side of his hand, "It's got it all. The mobility, the bite, the poison..."

"The mobility? Mate, it doesn't have legs! Lions are the most agile creatures around. They would run circles around a serpent," Evalyn pointed out.

"You're wrong!" Reese fumed.

Evalyn lameted in frustration, "No, you're wrong!"

The two erupted in giggles as they realised the stupidity of their argument.

"You're such a silly croissant," Reese laughed, playfully punching Evalyn's shoulder.
Evalyn shook her head and then met Reese's eyes. He looked at her with such gentleness.

"Lyn," he began, "I need to tell you something."

Evalyn's heart began to pound. "Did I do something wrong? I'm really so-"

"I need to get married," Reese interrupted.

"What?"

"My parents and Head Chef Christopher want me to settle down with a girl."

Evalyn asked, "Why don't you just marry me?"

"It's not possible," Reese shook his head, "Your lifestyle wouldn't fit with mine. You practically live a double-life. They want me to marry someone like a servant girl or another baker."

"Why do you have to listen to them?" Evalyn urged, tugging on Reese's arm.

Reese put his arm around Evalyn. "I'm not going to. You're the only girl for me, and I wouldn't give you up for a thousand gold. I just thought I should tell you that we're going to face some issues being together."

Evalyn let out a slight chuckle. As if they didn't already have enough issues. Shaking the thought of her mind, she offered a new topic, "Ok, who would win a fight: a dragon-sized hound or ten hound-sized dragons?"

"Definitely the dragon-sized hound."

Reese didn't take into account the fire-breathing capabilities of the dragons. Evalyn rolled her eyes, and began to argue for the ten hound-sized dragons.