Seraphina led the two towards the garden, a large blanket tucked under her arm and a plate in either hand. Behind her, Elijah balanced drinks and a couple of apples for the meal. They passed by a few trees, their leaves whispering softly in the breeze, until they reached a majestic willow on the edge of a serene pond, hidden behind a small hill. Despite its slight overgrowth, the garden exuded a captivating beauty, with colorful blooms and lush foliage surrounding them. From the weeds, it had been at least a few weeks since the gardeners were fired. 

"Here, lay the blanket out," Seraphina instructed, dropping the blanket and stepping aside. Dragonflies danced lazily above the water, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. It reminded her of the trees at her family’s estate, a place where she had gone to be alone. A pang of loneliness hit her, it had been a decade since she had used that tree. Maybe this could be her new spot, she thought wistfully. Behind her, she heard Elijah unfold the blanket, but her stomach growled impatiently. Thoughts of the omelet filled her head pushing aside nostalgia. The rustling behind her was the only thing holding her back.

To distract herself she looked to her right, and in the distance through a winding walkway, the garden opened up into a larger field where figures could be seen running laps. A training field, perhaps? The thought intrigued her as she watched the individuals moving back and forth with purpose. It dawned on her then—did the castle have guards? The memory of the two stationed at the door yesterday morning flashed in her mind, prompting her to ponder further.

"Princess,” Elijah's voice shook her from her thoughts. Seraphina turned to find the blanket laid out neatly, with glasses and fruit arranged in the center. She settled down and began placing the plates, while Elijah stood nearby, hands clasped behind his back.

"Come, the best way to discuss business is over a shared meal," Seraphina declared, adjusting her skirt. Without hesitation, she retrieved a fork hidden in the waistband of her skirt and took her first bite. A burst of warmth and flavor flooded her senses. This is what she needed, she sighed to herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she observed Elijah's reaction as he also took his first bite. His face transitioned from confusion to pure bliss, and he eagerly delved into his meal, barely pausing between bites.

"Princess, where did you come up with this idea?" Elijah marveled between mouthfuls. "The spinach blends perfectly with the crispy texture of the fried mushrooms. It’s such a filling dish, and the hint of salt on my tongue is divine. Is this why you insisted on having water?" He took a long sip from his glass. He continued to ramble about the dish, finding new combinations and ideas. She continued to eat, taking bites in between answering his questions. 

She took a sip of her water, finishing with a content sigh. “I have an offer, something you can choose not to do,” she paused and watched as he began to adjust his position. He cleared his throat and his eyes looked around and took another sip. “I want you to be my new head chef over the Castle and my personal one.”

"Ahh, Princes-" Elijah started, but Seraphina interrupted him with a raised hand. She suppressed the urge to playfully tease him, noticing the blush that tinted his cheeks, matching the hue of his hair. However, his avoidance of eye contact and his fidgety movements betrayed a deeper vulnerability that reminded her. As a princess in this realm, she knew the power of authority far better with her previous role as the right hand to the Godfather of crime.

"Nothing of that sort, please," she said with calculated sweetness. "By becoming my personal chef, I aim to mentor you. The pastry you prepared for the staff yesterday; it was delightful. I want to provide you with the opportunity to experiment and explore your creations." She turned to face him, noting the flicker of interest in his green eyes as he studied her. Their gazes met for the first time, and she could sense him scrutinizing her, searching for any sign of deception. Without flinching, she held his gaze until he averted his eyes.

“What about Lettie?” His voice trembled at the opportunity. She could sense the loyalty between the two. It was evident with their shared looks and the way the older woman protected him. She admired that, she needed that.

“She’ll be taken care of. There are plenty of open positions in the castle. But you have to know, this position isn’t without its loyalty. If you accept this position I’m putting my trust in you. You’ll be privy to some of the biggest culinary secrets,” she leaned forward embellishing the truth. Just a little lie. 

"Can I think about it?" Elijah's expression betrayed his uncertainty as he glanced at Seraphina. Sensing his hesitation. In an impulsive move, she decided to play her hand.

"Will you think about missing this opportunity?" she countered sharply. "You can continue fumbling in the dark if you want. I'm offering you a chance to learn, to grow. You either take it or leave it." With a calculated gesture, she reached for an apple and rose to her feet, towering over him. "The Queen will need breakfast soon, and I have a busy day ahead."

Elijah's resolve wavered. "Okay, I'll do it," he relented, scrambling to his feet. With her back to him she grinned. A normal meal every day would indeed be a vast improvement, and she would ensure Elijah proved useful in more ways than one. 

“Good, your first request is an omelet for the queen and mince and fry the garlic. Then move your belongings into my wing and your training will begin. I’ll draft a contract for you to sign.” Seraphina bit into the apple a feeling of achievement filling her.

“Yes Princess,” She could hear Elijah gather the blanket and glasses and she walked away almost breaking out into a skip. Win! Her mind jumped and she grinned, gaining a few double takes from a few different servants. 

With a contented sigh, Seraphina headed towards the library, excitement bubbling within her. Her next step was the library to check on the progress. Passing through the inner courtyard walkways, she observed the old doctor directing servants in a flurry of activity, clearing away decades of dust that had accumulated on the floor.

"Good," she thought to herself, relishing the change in the air. Continuing on, she entered the northern wing of the castle, her steps echoing in the hallway as she explored the rooms. Out of the five doors she opened three were large sitting rooms with doors leading to bedrooms and offices about the same size as her own room. The other two were large offices filled with old paintings and dusty crates. She noted them for later and continued to the library. 

The sound of voices drifted towards her, as she got closer. Eve's voice reached her ears, followed by a plea directed at Prince Alden to leave while they cleaned. As she rounded the corner, Seraphina spotted the familiar figure of the man from yesterday, leaning casually against the doorway. Eve stood nearby, looking up at her brother with a mixture of determination and frustration, mentally urging him to depart.