𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

19. 𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀

𝕿he kitchen was Rilynn's comfort place. It's where she went to clear her mind and feel closer to her mom. If Rilynn weren't in the library or her dorm, the princess would be in the school's kitchen.

But this time, Rilynn was in the big kitchen--the castle's kitchen. It was way bigger than the school's kitchen. It was at least two times bigger. Rilynn was both excited and terrified. She'd never worked inside a kitchen this big, especially not with other bakers. And now, Rilynn is supposed to lead this group of bakers as the head chef, which is something Rilynn isn't sure she could do. Typically, Rilynn works alone . . . in the small kitchen. Occasionally, Doug would hang out with her, but he didn't do any of the baking--it's not that he didn't want to; it was more like he couldn't.

Rilynn loved baking, even if she did it by herself, but this . . . this was for more people than she could imagine. That means Rilynn had to double, triple--quadruple the quantity. The more Rilynn pondered over it, the more it freaked her out.

She was really doing this. Her bakery was in full motion after this. No more pushing it aside and making excuses about why she couldn't do it. It's a good push; Rilynn is starting to see it now, thanks to Ben, but still, it was terrifying to see it happening so quickly.

"Princess Rilynn?"

Rilynn turns to the voice coming from her right. A woman was stepping out from an office somewhere in the back of the kitchen, a welcoming smile on her face. She relaxed a little.

"Yes, hi," the princess smiled back. She goes to shake the woman's hand. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise. Chef Sandra at your service," the chef pulled back. "King Ben informed us of your arrival. I bet it was exciting to hear that you'd be helping out with the desserts."

Rilynn laughed nervously, a weary smile. "Sort of. I've never done anything this huge before. I normally bake in the school's kitchen, so this is out of my comfort zone."

"Eh, don't sweat it, kid. It's just like the school's kitchen, just slightly bigger with more staff. But we're like a big family here, so don't think you won't fit in," Chef Sandra comforted. "So, I suspect this'll be your first time leading a team?"

"Yeah," Rilynn looked around anxiously. She was trying to remember how the kitchen looks and maybe get her mind off that she'd be working here. "A little nerve-wracking."

"No worries. I'll be alongside you, helping you with whatever you need," Chef Sandra chirped. "King Ben told me you hope to open your own bakery someday."

The princess nodded. "That's the dream," she brushed her hair back, breathing out shakily. "I'm just unsure of where to begin."

Chef Sandra gestured to the kitchen. "Well, you're in the perfect place. It always starts in the kitchen--any kitchen. You just need the passion and motivation to push for your dream," Rilynn merely smiled, mentally noting her advice. Chef Sandra took her silence to continue. "Shall I take you on a tour of the kitchen?"

Grateful, Rilynn smiled. "Please," the princess had no clue where anything was around this kitchen, nor did she know how they ran it.

Together, Chef Sandra and Rilynn began to walk around, the older woman mentioning small input on where things were. The kitchen was much bigger than Rilynn anticipated. They started small--showing where the cooks are and how they usually work on the line; Rilynn learned about the staff that generally work there.

Then they went to the fryers, perfect for the donuts and churros. Chef Sandra directed Rilynn to the three tables where they usually work on decorating their desserts; they would have at least six people or more on that line. Then, Chef Sandra showed her the fridges and freezers, the cooling racks, and eventually, the ovens.