A Woven Attachment
Chapter 15
The palace served exquisite fare, expensive meats and elaborate concoctions of the kingdom’s best chefs. And yet, none of it held any taste to Celia after the years. The same heavy dishes, the same stifled conversation—none of it held any appeal to her anymore. Yet, something about the bakery drew her in, enfolding her in comfort like a wool-spun throw. She couldn’t decide if it was the atmosphere, the lively chatter, or the food itself that drew her there. Nevertheless, it was on this peculiar Saturday morning that she found herself at Falworth Baking.
Instead of teleporting straight to the bakery, which would have been an easy feat, she chose to teleport just outside the palace gate. She had no desire to draw needless attention and detract from her mission. Today, she was simply Celia, merely seeking out a pastry or two – and perhaps a stew – at the local cafe.
Standing inside the bakery she quickly turned to face the line of pastries to her right. What a lovely little display of delights, she thought to herself. Remembering the free offering of food from last time, she bit her lip.
Would he be here today?
She felt a slight jostle from the customer to her right, she saw a strong male’s figure in her peripheral vision.
Could it be?
She quickly turned her neck and saw—
“Theo?”
It was Theo. Theodore Radclif, her childhood friend, her brother’s best bud.
Gah! Why was life so cruel?
“Celia?” Theo asked, equally shocked at her presence as she was his. Two palace inmates out and about on the town? Unheard of.
“What are you doing here? Where are your knights? I thought–”
Celia snorted lightly, breaking her porcelain facade. “I’m here on important business.”
Theo raised one eyebrow; they’d known each other too long. That was clearly an evasion of the question. He’d just stare until she caved. This was both his and Yuki’s preferred tactic for dealing with Celia’ stubborn streak.
“Bread, what else.” Celia whipped her black locks back toward the display of goods.
“You’re here for bread. You’re telling me you can’t access bread at the palace,” Theo responded sarcastically. “Are they suddenly rationing your food, or?”
“Hush!” Celia subtly kicked him with her pointy black boots. “And you? Theo? Do you have business as well?”
Theo pursed his lips together, as Miss Emaline flashed through his thoughts. Their last interaction was infused with tension—tension he’d like to erode. If only I’d found the actual perpetrator, I’d be able to resolve things. Then maybe we could go back to how we were before the misunderstandings.
He glanced at Celia and her steely gaze. Yeah, I’d rather rot before telling this pest why I’m here.
Just then, the bakery door creaked open and dispersed his thoughts. Celia and Theo turned abruptly, only to find an unfamiliar figure shuffling in. They slowly turned their gaze back to the display case, disappointed.
“Bread. Their bread here is really good,” Theo replied.
“I figured as much,” she said with a regal sniff and upturn of her nose.
This princess, Theo thought—and it wasn’t the good kind of princess either. The two had tormented each other since childhood and neither supposed it would change now. Theo had a calm disposition, and to those who truly knew him, he was considered kind and patient. Yet Celia set off his nerves every time.
Maybe I just have a problem with women in general, Theo sighed to himself as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
There was a brief time when they got along, before Yuki and Theo became so close. Theo’s mother was their trusted governess, Lady Rosaline Radcliff. With nothing but a lower-class title to her name, she needed a position after her husband’s passing. Thus, young Theo, still hurting from the loss of his father, came to know the young prince and princess. As if attuned to his pain, Celia would furtively sneak him her portions of a snack, or a toy would suddenly appear on his bed.
But Yuki changed everything. He was the bright foil to Theo’s clouds. Whatever the circumstance, Yuki managed to paste a smile on his face, though his own parents rarely visited him. The more that Yuki pulled him out of his clouds and into the sun, the more Celia retreated from him. Was it jealousy? Or was it because he didn’t need her in the same way? Theo was never sure, but since they only seemed to pester each other.
Theo had survived by letting things go, leaving thoughts unvoiced and problems unaddressed. But Emaline… He remembered her words to him... If something is wrong, it must be set right, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
“Thank you.” Celia exchanged her coin for three pastries, each in their own brown-paper bag.
Theo hastened to pay for his croissant sandwich and quickly scanned the cafe for Celia. She chose a small table by the wall, removed from the large gatherings that dominated the room. Theo took a deep breath and with seven or eight impressive strides he crossed the room and sat down across from her. It was about time he chipped away at the wall between them.
Though nearly indiscernible, Theo detected the surprise in Celia’s glimmering red eyes. Inwardly, Theo was writhing in embarrassment, but he felt sure his own stoic expression hid his emotion well. Her eyes bore into his for several seconds before she broke it off.
Thank goodness, Theo closed his eyes briefly in relief. He deemed her silence as acceptance of his presence.
Well, what do you know, Celia thought to herself, her oversized pastry hiding her petite, but pleased, smile.
* * *
How did this situation even happen? Emmy walked awkwardly between Turrin and a vaguely familiar man she couldn’t recall meeting before. It wasn’t that often Turrin visited her, so she wasn’t about to turn down an invitation from him for lunch.
But the silence is killing me inside!
Now that she thought about it, Turrin looked a little uncomfortable too. His face was frozen in a stiff smile and it hadn’t budged since they arrived at her door.
“So Turrin,” she said tentatively. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
“Oh, um,” he threw his acquaintance a pleading glance. “I’m not sure it’s appropriate for me to call him a friend.” Emmy threw her brother a quizzical look.
“After all the time we’ve spent together, you don’t recognize me?” the brown-haired figure said dramatically.
Emmy froze and whirled around. That voice! She’d know that voice anywhere. Who else could have such an alluring and yet playful tone to their voice.
“Yuki!”
“Yuki?” her brother cried in astonishment, wincing at their familiarity, though Emmy was also surprised at how easily his name rolled off his lips.
“Prince Yuki,” Emmy corrected herself, but Turrin’s face further wrinkled. I guess that’s not much better. “Um, Your Highness?”
“Quite right! What do you think of my disguise?” he spun around like a giddy child on their first day of school.
“What are you doing with Turrin?” she asked, ignoring his question.
“I bumped into him.” He let out a meager laugh and said quietly, “Quite literally, unfortunately.”
Emmy looked dumbfounded at Turrin who smiled at her weakly, confirming Yuki’s explanation. This situation was getting stranger by the minute. She turned back to Yuki as something suddenly clicked in place.
Pointing at him and blinking rapidly she sputtered, “You were that sketchy fellow snickering in the back of my parent’s bakery during the festival!”
“Your words hurt me, my dear,” he said with feigned pain. Poor Turrin looked utterly exhausted, unable to process sister’s and the crown prince’s relationship.
If only I hadn’t told him I was Emmy’s brother, then I wouldn’t have to endure his attempt at flirtation.
“Anyway, sis,” Turrin interrupted, “Don’t be surprised if we run into the Royal Commander at our parent’s shop. I was told he planned on going today.”
“Oh, really?”
So he’s really just here to see his friend. How cute. Only, if I knew the Commander would be there…
The atmosphere notably shifted to one of unease as “commoner Yuki” tried to read between the lines. “Something wrong?” he innocently cocked his handsome face toward Emmy, looking to understand.
Emmy hesitated. “Don’t worry, it’s been a little tense since Commander Theo accused Turrin of planting that blasted handkerchief in his room before the Presentation of the Royal Family. I’m sure you remember his… spirited performance.”
“Handkerchief?” he asked, confused.
Did she say tense? So they’re not seeing each other after all? Yuki wasn’t sure whether what he felt was relief or concern. Is Theo avoiding me because he’s in some sort of trouble?
“Actually, I intended to ask for your help, but I haven’t seen you lately.” Emmy turned to him, and lightly grabbed the cuff of his sleeve. “If I may be so bold, would you help us find the culprit?”
“Emmy, no,” Turrin said, rubbing his face. How could she so casually ask the crown prince for a favor. They were employer and employee, ruler and commoner. So why was she clinging to his cuff without a thought?
“Commander Theo rescinded his accusation, but Turrin’s name cannot be truly cleared until we find who did it. Please help us.”
Yuki responded in his best jubilant tone, but recalling her words he felt a sense of dread trickle through his fingertips.
Just what had occurred between Theo and Miss Emaline?
Comments (2)
See all