Reign [ h.s. ]

13

A/N: Hi sorry for the long wait, I just wanted to finish Vanished first. This is just a filler chapter to get me back into the rhythm of updating this and writing it. If you can't remember what happened last, basically Harry got the job as the baker in the palace.

Harry

“Richard?” I knocked on the door to Styles Bakery, slowly opening it as I peered inside. It was past closing hours, but I saw a small flicker from the lantern in the front window, and I knew that Richard must still be present.

“In the back, Harry.” I heard him call out. I stepped inside the small bakery, closing the door behind me as I flipped the latched, securing it. I moved around the counter, sauntering into the back room from which Richard had called.

Upon entering, I was met with the image of Richard elbow-deep in flour, a chef’s hat on his head as he wiped the sweat from his brow with his arm. He was rolling a slab of dough, and I noticed multiple other rows laid out on the side.

“I see you are a tad busy, Richard.” I laughed, taunting him since I rarely ever see him do work. It was usually I who performed most of the labor in the bakery, whilst Richard sat on by watching and supervising my actions, greeting customers who entered and dispersed.

“Well a particular lad that I hired has been missing all day, so I had to pick up the business.” Richard said, raising an eyebrow at me as he looked the side. I leaned into the doorframe of the room we were standing in, crossing my arms.

“Well that lad was quite occupied today.” I responded, giving him a small smile. He let out a small huff, a result from the work he had been doing as he pushed away from the table, wiping his forehead again.

“Is that so? Did it have to do with a particular girl?” He questioned, placing his hands on his hips as he turned to me, a knowing smile plastered on his face.

“Perhaps.” I answered vaguely, trying not to let any expression peek through.

“I’ve hit in right on the mark!” he exclaimed, pointing his finger at me in delight. “So what did you do that took all day?” He questioned, looking like a young school girl hungry for gossip.

“I um…” I scratched the back of my neck as I thought of how to proceed further on the matter, highly hesitant of doing so.

Richard looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to speak.

“Richard, I really came to tell you that I will no longer be working here.” I sighed, looking down at my shoes that were caked in dirt from the town. They were my only pair of shoes, and they have grown worn from my travels.

I couldn’t bare to look up at Richard, not wanting to see his expression. Richard was like a father to me, and I feel by doing this I would be breaking his heart. But I was grown now, and I needed to make my own decisions. Lina was my decision.

“But Harry…” he started, and I heard him let out a heavy sigh. I took a chance and looked up at Richard, seeing him take off his chef’s hat as he held it in his hands, looking down at the white toque with a pensive look.

“It’s in the palace.” I suddenly spoke. He looked up at me, eyes wide.

“Whoa… that is impressive, Harry. How did you manage that?” He questioned. I shrugged my shoulders, trying my best not to give anything away.

“I saw an ad that they had a baker’s position open in the kitchen and figure I would try my hand at it. I went to the palace today to see the chef and he hired me.”