Cats n' Dogs

Chapter 3

Roh was pleased to hear his mother praise Sylvi's skills and how good of a help she was around the farm. He was certainly surprised at what she was able to create in the kitchen.

'It's going to be your fault when I grow fat.' he said, sitting down after dinner on the porch, rubbing his full stomach.

'First you say I can't cook, and now you complain it's too good?' Sylvi snickered. 'You're horrible.'

He leaned back on his hands and smiled. 'You should have warned me you're quick at picking up things.'

'And spoil my victory over you? Don't think so.'

He gave her a poke in her side, making her squirm. 'You're not there yet. I have to see more.'

She pushed him down and sat on top of him. 'You just can't face the fact I'm right.' she said, poking his nose. 'Or maybe you want me to stay as long as possible to eat more of my cooking.'

He smiled deviously. 'Damn, you found out my plan.'

She chuckled. 'Whatever will you do when I'm going back home?'

He shrugged. 'Probably beg at the gate every evening to have some of your cooking.'

'The guards will get sick of you and throw you out.'

'Then I'll just have to sneak my way inside.'

'And then get caught by my father?' she laughed. 'He'll throw you into the dungeon for sneaking in to see his daughter.'

'I can live with that as long as you feed me.'

'You're crazy.' she said and tickled him, making him squirm.

'I give up! I give up!' he said. 'Besides, I have a request for you!'

She stopped tickling. 'What, more food?'

'Something like that.' he said after taking a deep breath. 'The baker's daughter got the flu and will be staying in bed for several days. He told me today when I went there to pick up lunch for work. He said he could use someone to help out until his daughter got better and I told him I might know someone. Interested?'

'Me?'

He nodded. 'I told him how good you are at cooking. It would be another opportunity to prove me wrong..'

She grinned. 'Then I accept. Get ready to kneel before me.'

'I already talked to mom about it and she thinks it's a good idea to gain experience. I'll take you with me to town tomorrow morning.'

A polite cough made them look at the doorway with a smirking father. 'You lovebirds ready for a drink and snack?'

'It's not like that!' they said and he laughed as he went back to the living room.

Sylvi looked a little embarrassed as she got off Roh. 'Let's go.'

He nodded and followed her, his tail wagging more than usual.

***

Roh dropped Sylvi off at the bakery in the morning. 'Good morning Fort.' he said to the baker. 'Let me introduce Lumi, your angel in need.'

Fort looked back and smiled. 'So glad to have you help me!' he said, wiped his hands on his apron and held one out to shake hers, then looked closer. 'Has anyone ever told you..'

'Yes.' Roh said. 'She heard that more often. But why would a princess be working like a peasant?'

Sylvi saw his little smirk and elbowed him. 'The question would be, why would a princess get near a scoundrel like you?'