"Richy, we've lived here for a week now. We have one friend and she's a child, I think we should start communicating and socialising with everyone before they get suspicious." Fi said whilst munching nonchalantly on a carrot, she didn't want to raise any suspicions. It seemed that Fi and Richy were also blissfully unaware of how their looks had already raised suspicions.
"Okay, how do you propose we socialise?"
"I don't know, you're supposed to be the try-hard socialist."
"But these are commoners, they don't have tea-parties and balls. This is a new battleground."
"Battleground?"
"Yes, socialising has always been a series of schemes and battles, making sure you don't make a fool out of yourself, making sure you always have the perfect etiquette and avoid traps."
"That never happened to me, what on earth happened during tea-parties Richy?"
"You were the soon to be queen, your siblings and everyone was terrified of you and you refused to hold back when fighting, and your tongue has literally made knights run out of rooms crying. You've never had to scheme because everyone loved, envied and was terrified of you. If they schemed against you, they might actually have died."
"What? Were people actually that scared of me?"
"Yes, no one actually even tried to be friends with you because of that, except for your hubby."
"Wow. Richy, I was awesome. I am awesome, maybe I should lead the socialising."
"Did you listen to anything I said?"
"Yes. I think if we want people to like us we need to make them fear us."
"These are commoners! They will report us to authorities, or arrest us, we can't reveal our identities to these people. We can't let them fear us."
Fi nodded, fear wasn't always an effective tool when it came to rulership. Of course, there are instances where fear works well, but there are more times where fear backfires and causes instances of mutiny and panic.
"What if we went around and gave all the townspeople some food? Maybe pies or cakes? Or those cute little bowl-sized cakes with the pretty icing. What were they called, Richy? Bowl-cakes? Mug-cakes? Something cakes. Well, you can make it, can't you?" Fi placed all cooking responsibilities on her husband, she might as well take advantage of his mastery of cooking.
So, like an obedient servant, Richy rolled up his sleeves and began making some cup-cakes. Fi watched as his large hands delicately handled small things, he was so gently whilst making everything that it turned her on. She wanted to feel his gentle hands, which was a dangerous thought because right now, he was cooking.
Richy could feel her gaze on his hands, how adorable, he thought. So he became even gentler, focusing on the smaller details, forcing her to take a deep gulp. Once he had finished with all his baking he put down his tools, took of his apron, washed his hands and grabbed his wife. Forty minutes later, they lay underneath their soft covers, her giggling and him chuckling.
"Let's go give some neighbours some cake!" Fi whispered after kissing his nose. She grabbed two baskets and filled them to the brim with cupcakes, while telling her husband to hurry up.
House 1 - Roula
Three knocks, a slow creak, and a withered eye later, Richy and Fi sat on a feathery couch, one that was fading away slowly. Fi and Richy smiled awkwardly as they looked around at the odd home. Adorned in a purple-grey with golden linings. Candles lined the window sills, all lit up as various smells covered the room, causing the couple to feel slightly nauseous.
"Children, you two are so cute!" her withered voice echoed as she got up and wobbled to Fi and Richy holding a tray with tea, which smelled truly sweet. She placed the delicate cups in front of them, a new aroma encountered their noses. It was incredibly pleasant.
"Thank you Ms Roula. Richy baked too much so we decided to distribute them!" Fi explained with a wide smile. Ms Roula stared at the couple, her eyes breaking them down, she had once lived far away from Ferdinand, in the Capitol, where the Royals were seen, where people were truly this beautiful. Her thin lips curved up as she conversed with them, trying to learn as much as she could from this new couple.
"So, how is the Capitol doing now?" Roula asked them, as if she was asking about the weather. And Fi and Richy did not even realise.
"The Capitol is doing really well currently, the economy is flourishing and Madame Capulet's started a new flavour of ice-cream yesterday called 'Fudgamel Cookie'." Fi answered casually, without realising that she was talking about the day before. Roula smiled as she heard her talk, but she chose not to point out the flaw.
"I lived there many years ago, it's been ten years since I left the Capitol, back then there was talk about two children, blessed by the Goddess. I wonder if there's more news on that..." Richy and Fi smiled nervously as they shrugged, as they realised they had said too much.
"Well, we better get going Ms Roula! It was wonderful meeting with you, please come over to our house one of these days!" Richy said quickly as they scurried out of the house.
"Richy, we better be careful."
"Fi, we better be careful."
"Nice." the both said at the same time.