The Harlequin √

Alternate Chapter Two

a/n: this is a long ass chapter because I couldn't figure out how to include the smut, but I finally figured it out (5,800+ words later...lol).

ps. please try and keep an open mind with how Harry acts in parts of this chapter. There are different beliefs back in the 1500s than now.

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Two months have passed since Harry and Accalia fled Starling Village. Two weeks after leaving, they were able to acquire a place that was suitable for a bakery. There was already a small flat above it and they bought another flat nearby for Niall days later. Since then, the three of them have been tidying up the bakery, and making sure they have all the ingredients. Accalia insisted on being involved in the construction, and Harry and Niall knew to just go with it.

Now, on November 23rd, Accalia and Niall are working in the bakery, testing out a recipe for manchet bread. The latter can sense that there's something off about Accalia, but he hasn't got a clue as to what he should do. All he can gather is that it has to do with Harry, who has been very busy as of late. He hasn't been spending much time around her, and even Niall doesn't know why.

It's obvious to him that something has happened between Harry and Accalia, but he can't see what the problem is. The two of them are very much in love with each other, but there's an air of tension between them. Perhaps Accalia has caught Harry with another woman, maybe they're having money problems, maybe their love has been a façade this whole time, he doesn't know. All that Niall does know is that he wants his friends to resolve whatever problem they're having. As selfish as it is, he misses having the three of them spend time together. He can tell that Accalia is sad and probably lonely, and he doesn't really know how to help her.

"How's this, do you think?" Accalia asks, breaking the silence. She rips off a piece of bread that she had just pulled from the oven and hands it to Niall. Her fingertips sting from the heat, but she ignores it. "The taste I mean? Did we finally get it right?"

"Hm," Niall murmurs as he slowly eats the piece of bread. "I think we did," he says, nodding. "We might as well eat the rest of this loaf, but save a little for Harry." He sees her face fall slightly at the mention of her husband's name, but he doesn't comment on it as he tears off the end and puts it off to the side.

"Speaking of my husband, I hear you're going out for drinks with Harry tonight," Accalia says quietly as she slowly nibbles on a piece of bread.

"Uh, yeah, I guess I am," Niall says awkwardly. "How'd you know?"

"I overheard you two talking about it," Accalia sighs. Niall can't help but frown at this, knowing full well that Harry wasn't planning on telling his wife about going out to drink.

"Oh," he says quietly.

"Could you just...keep an eye on him? Make sure he doesn't get too drunk?" Accalia asks hesitantly. "He tends to get really clumsy, and he trips on his feet a lot when he's inebriated."

"He's in good hands," Niall assures her. He sees Accalia frown as she sets the piece of bread down, her hand going to her stomach. "Are you okay?" he asks, concerned.

"M'fine," she replies a little too quickly. "I think the stress of opening the bakery soon is getting to me."

"Well, maybe you should go lie down," Niall says. "I can clean up this mess, and by the time that I'm done, Harry should be here. You could send us off or something."

"No, I trust you two will be able to leave here without me," Accalia says with a forced chuckle. "If you're serious about cleaning up, though, I'll just—" Before she can finish, the door to the bakery opens and Accalia and Niall see Harry strolling in with an excited grin. His expression falters slightly when he sees his wife quickly turn her head away from him.