AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The baker smiled and went to wash her hands. She looked at us and her eyes widened when she saw the four empty plates on our table.
“Did you two eat all of that?” she laughed.
“I’m afraid so,” I said with a sheepish grin. “Your pastries are just too good.”
“I’m glad you like them,” she replied. “It’s rare that we get to see a human in our bakery.” She came over and sat down at our table. “My name is Ikris,” she introduced herself. “I’m the owner and baker of this bakery.”
“I’m Thimsal, and this is Darith. Your pastries are amazing. We’ve tried almost everything on the menu.”
“How did you like the baklava?”
“It’s perfect. Just like my mother used to make.”
Her cheeks darkened. “Ah, then I’m glad you enjoyed it. I learned the recipe in Midar during the War of Wailing Widows.”
The Hundred Years’ War. The last time the Elvish presence in Midar was strong.
I leaned forward. “Did you serve?”
She shook her head and placed a hand on her heart. “No, I was much too young then, Your Highness. Only 500 years old. I baked for the soldiers. It was my way of helping. The bakers from Midar used to send us their excess dough, and we would bake with it. It was a small way to show our support, but I like to think it made a difference.”
“I’m sure it did,” I said. “The soldiers must have appreciated it.”
She smiled and nodded. “Some of them would even come back here after the war. They would sit at this very table and tell me about their experiences. I’m glad I could bring a bit of home to them.”
“That’s generous of you. I can’t imagine what horrors they went through.”
The baker’s eyes misted over. “But that’s all in the past now. We’re at peace now and I’m glad to see Midarians here. The city used to be brimmed with Midarians before the war. I hope to see it like that again someday.”
“I’m sure you will,” I smiled at her. “The war impacted us as well. After so many people died, the survivors just lost their will to travel. But I think that’s changing now. People are exploring again.”
“I hope so too. We have much to offer if you’re willing to look past the terrible memories.”
She bid us farewell and went back to the kitchen. After a while, the door rang, and a woman entered the room with a toddler. Her chubby cheeks and enormous eyes made me want to pinch her.
The child giggled, reaching for a pastry on the counter. Ikris scolded the child good-naturedly and gave her a piece of candy instead. The woman laughed and said something I couldn’t hear.
Glancing at Darith, I saw her watching the scene with a wistful expression. It made my heart ache to see her like that. I placed my hand on her arm and squeezed it.
“Are you alright?” I asked quietly.
She turned to me and nodded. “I’m fine. Just a little sad, that’s all.”
“I know how you feel.” I smiled sadly at her. “It’s hard to see happy families when you’ve lost your own.”
I miss my family every day. The distance between us was too great, and their loss still felt like a fresh wound. Especially Tilila. I missed her laughter and her playful nature. She had been the light of my life. The light of my eyes.
She nodded and swallowed thickly. “Thank you for understanding.”
The child spotted me and waved. I waved back, and the woman came over, holding the child in her arms. Bright green eyes peered at me from a face covered in crumbs.
“Hello,” she said warmly. “Don’t mind my little heart. Ever since she found out that Prince Maedras is going to marry a Midarian princess, she’s been insistent on meeting one.”
The girl giggled and hid her face in her mother’s shoulder.
“Oh, I see,” I said with a laugh. “Well, here I am.”
“Yes, here you are.” The woman replied. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners? My name is Liria, and this is my daughter, Nala.”
