The next morning, after meeting Victor, Verina's usual monotonous routine began again—the same dream, the same clothes, the same streets and the same bakery. However, today something felt different. She experienced an unusual lightness. As if a small part of the weight she had been carrying had been lifted.
[Could it be because of that man, Victor?] she wondered, her fingers pressing into the soft dough. She quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought.
[No, no, it's because Mrs. Voundenbaum hasn't shouted at me yet. ] She kneaded the dough with a little extra force, as if to drive away any lingering thoughts of him.
But as Verina well knew, nothing lasts forever.
As she placed the freshly baked croissants in the display case, the familiar chime of the doorbell rang. A noblewoman entered, her gown shimmering in the morning light. She was exactly the type of person Verina despised—privilege wrapped in silk, her nose held so high she seemed to breathe different air.
Behind her, a maid followed in silence, a basket in hand and her eyes fixed on the floor.
The noblewoman's gaze swept over the bakery before landing on Verina with thinly veiled disdain. "I want four honey cakes. Now."
Verina, feeling the tension in the air, politely replied, "The honey cakes are not ready yet, madam. Just a few more minutes and they will be baked. "
The young woman's face contorted in anger as she turned to her maid. "Do you hear? She dares to make me wait. What a disrespect!"
The maid didn't dare raise her eyes, but her hands tightened almost imperceptibly on the basket handle. "Yes, Lady." She muttered softly, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a hint of weariness in her tone, suggesting this was far from the first time she'd witnessed such a scene.
The woman turned back to Verina, her voice sharp as a knife. "Do you think I am content to wait? My family's name is worth more than your whole life, and you dare make me wait?" She punctuated her words by poking Verina in the shoulder with her finger.
Verina's fists clenched under the counter, nails digging into her palms. She wanted to tell this pompous noble that her title meant nothing to her. But instead, she swallowed her pride, years of practice allowing her to maintain a mask of composure.
"I'm sorry," she said through gritted teeth, her voice strained with the effort of remaining polite. "We're doing everything we can, ma'am. Baking takes time."
"WHAT?" The noblewoman's shrill cry echoed through the bakery.
Just as the tension in the bakery reached its peak, the bell above the door chimed once more. Victor strode in, his tall frame filling the doorway. His eyes, sharp and observant, immediately took in the scene before him—Verina's flushed face, the noblewoman's haughty expression, and the cowering maid.
"Good day, ladies!" he said, his deep voice cutting through the tense atmosphere like a warm knife through butter. A hint of concern flickered in his eyes as they met Verina's, but it was quickly masked by a charming smile. "I couldn't help but overhear. Is everything alright?"
The noblewoman turned, ready to unleash her fury on this new intruder, but her words died on her lips as she took in Victor's appearance. His well-tailored coat and the signet ring on his finger spoke of nobility, and his commanding presence caused her to hesitate.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced," he said smoothly, bowing.
"I am young Lord Arenthis."
The noblewoman's eyes widened in recognition. She quickly composed herself, offering a curtsy that was perhaps a touch too low.
"Oh my, Lord Arenthis, what an unexpected pleasure," she said, "I am Lady Cordelia Blackthorn. I was just having a small… misunderstanding with this young woman."
Verina watched the interaction with a mixture of relief and curiosity. She couldn't help but be grateful for Victor's timely intervention, but she was also intrigued by the sudden change in Lady Blackthorn's demeanour.
Victor smiled warmly at Lady Blackthorn, though Verina noticed a slight tightness around his eyes that betrayed his true feelings. "Ah, Lady Blackthorn, a pleasure indeed. I hope my presence can help resolve any misunderstandings that may have arisen."
Lady Blackthorn smoothed out her gown, regaining some of her composure. "Of course, Lord Arenthis. It seems there was a miscommunication regarding the honey cakes. I apologize if I came across too strongly."
Verina couldn't help but notice the insincerity in Lady Blackthorn's apology, but she remained composed as she replied, "No need for apologies, madam. Your request will be attended to promptly."
As Victor turned his attention to Verina, he gave her a nod, his eyes conveying a silent apology for the situation. Then, addressing Lady Blackthorn once more, he said, "I'm sure our talented baker will have the honey cakes ready in no time. Perhaps while we wait, you would care to join me for a cup of tea?"
Lady Blackthorn's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected invitation from a member of such prestigious nobility. She glanced at her maid, who stood frozen in place, unsure of how to react to this sudden turn of events.
After a moment of hesitation, Lady Blackthorn graciously accepted his offer. "I would be delighted, Lord Arenthis. A cup of tea sounds more inviting."
She turned to her maid, snapping her fingers. "You, wait outside. I won't be needing you for this."
The maid curtsied low, murmuring a soft "Yes, my lady." As she turned to leave, her eyes met Verina's for a brief moment. There was a flash of understanding between them, a silent acknowledgement of their shared position beneath the nobility's whims. The maid's lips quirked in the tiniest smile before she slipped out the door, the bell chiming softly behind her.
The tension in the bakery began to dissipate as Victor led Lady Blackthorn to a corner table where they could sit and wait for the honey cakes to be ready.
As Verina busied herself arranging croissants in the display, she couldn't help but overhear the conversation.
"Lord Arenthis," Lady Blackthorn purred, batting her eyelashes, "I must say, your arrival was most... opportune."
Verina's eyebrow quirked at the word choice, her hands pausing momentarily in their work. Opportune? The thought was tinged with amusement, but also something else—a prickle of... what? Envy? Insecurity? She shook her head.
It was silly to compare herself to someone like Lady Blackthorn. Their worlds were as different as the delicate, ornate cakes in the display case. Besides, what did she really know about Victor, beyond his charming smiles and witty remarks? He belonged to a different world—one of glittering balls and political intrigue. A world she could observe from a distance but never truly be a part of.
Victor, sipping his tea, raised an eyebrow. There was something like amusement visible in his eyes. Was it just Verina's imagination?
"Like a perfectly timed souffle, wouldn't you say?" He asked.
Lady Blackthorn giggled, a bit too enthusiastically. "Oh, you're so witty! You know, a man of your stature must be in need of a suitable companion."
"A companion?" Victor asked, feigning innocence. His eyes darted briefly to Verina, a mischievous glint in them. "Like a good book or a loyal hound?"
"No, no," Lady Blackthorn laughed, oblivious to Victor's subtle glance. "I mean a woman. Someone like... me, perhaps?
Victor nearly choked on his tea, and Verina, who was nearby arranging pastries, almost dropped a tray of eclairs. She caught herself just in time, steadying the tray while straining to hear Victor's response.
He cleared his throat, his composure regained quickly. "Ah, Lady Blackthorn, while I'm flattered, I'm afraid I must decline. You see, I am not interested in finding a new companion… especially an all-consuming one."
Lady Blackthorn's face fell, her perfectly arched eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Are you saying that I am… all-consuming?"
Victor smiled, placing his teacup down with a soft clink. His fingers drummed lightly on the table, betraying a hint of discomfort beneath his polished exterior.
"Not at all, Lady Blackthorn. Just... intense, like a good wine—rich, full-bodied, and something one must approach with caution."
Lady Blackthorn looked momentarily pleased before she realized that might not have been the compliment she thought it was. Verina, still within earshot, bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Lady Blackthorn, not easily deterred, leaned in closer, batting her eyelashes again. "Intense is what makes life... interesting, wouldn't you agree, Lord Arenthis?"
Victor smiled politely, deflecting. His posture stiffened slightly, almost imperceptibly. "Perhaps. Though I find a bit of simplicity can bring peace too."
Just then, Verina brought the cakes to the table. "Your honey cakes, madam."
Lady Blackthorn frowned slightly, realizing she was getting nowhere with her advances. She straightened, adjusting her gown with a rustle of expensive fabric. "Well, Lord Arenthis, it was a pleasure. But I must be going."
Victor rose and bowed slightly. "I do hope you enjoy the honey cakes."
With a forced smile, Lady Blackthorn left. The bell's soft chime was the only sound as she exited. Verina finally exhaled.
Victor let out a soft chuckle as his shoulders visibly relaxed. "I must admit, that was one of the more entertaining breakfasts I've had in a while."
Verina raised an eyebrow, walking over with a tray of freshly baked goods. "Entertaining for you, maybe. She was about to turn me into a floor mat."
Victor laughed, shaking his head. His eyes softened with genuine concern. "I apologize for that. Lady Blackthorn can be... persistent."
Verina shrugged, placing the tray on the counter with a soft thud. "Thanks to your noble intervention, I suppose."
Victor winked, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Well, I couldn't let her ruin your day, Verina."
She crossed her arms, and asked, "What are you even doing here, Victor? Don't you have somewhere else to be, like a fancy ball or tea party? Something more suited to your... attire?"
Victor looked at her with an amused smile. "Believe it or not, I like bakeries more than tea parties. Besides," he added, his tone becoming more serious, "I thought I might invite you to something this evening."
Verina blinked, caught off guard. "Invite me? To what?"
"The festival," Victor said casually, leaning back in his chair. "The moonlight festival, it's tonight. You know, the one with music, food, and fireworks by the river. Thought you could use a break from all this." He gestured around the bakery.
Verina hesitated. She hadn't been to a festival in years. Since her mother's death her life had become one long stretch of monotony. The idea of attending one now, with Victor, was... unexpected. It was as if a small, forgotten part of her was being reawakened by the mere suggestion. A spark, buried under the weight of responsibility, flickered back to life.
But then doubt crept in. [Do I even know him well enough to spend an evening together?] The thought nagged at her. Victor was charming, yes, but their interactions had been brief and fraught with tension. What if tonight turned out to be a mistake?
She raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference even as her heart raced.
"Why me? Don't you have other people to invite?"
Victor grinned, shrugging. "I figured you'd be more fun than the nobles who'd only talk about politics all night. Besides," his voice softened, "I thought you might like it."
Verina paused, weighing her options. "It's just... we don't really know each other that well. Wouldn't it be awkward?"
Victor's smile didn't waver. "I promise I'll do my best to keep it from being awkward. Besides, sometimes those are the best moments—the unexpected ones."
Still hesitant, she frowned. "I don't have a dress for something like that. And I don't exactly fit in with your crowd."
Victor waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. Come as you are, you'll fit in just fine. Trust me, it's not one of those formal events."
After a long pause, during which Verina searched Victor's face for any sign of deception, she sighed. "Alright. I'll come."
Victor's face lit up with a genuine smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Excellent! I'll meet you by the bakery just before sunset."
As he stood to leave, straightening his coat, Verina called after him.
"Victor?"
He turned with curiosity in his dark eyes.
"Thanks. For earlier, I mean," Verina said, a little awkwardly. "For... helping."
Victor smiled again. "Anytime, Verina."
With that, he exited the bakery, the bell chiming softly in his wake. Verina stood there for a moment, a strange warmth creeping into her chest. The monotony of her life had been shaken, just a little. And for the first time in a long while, she was curious about what the evening might hold.