A Celebration & A Victory

The smell of freshly baked bread still lingered in the air as Neo and Lena sat outside the bakery, enjoying the cool night breeze.

The small bakery stall had closed for the day, but the energy of success still buzzed between them.

Lena stretched her arms and sighed. "That was exhausting."

Neo smirked, resting his hands behind his head. "And yet, you won by a landslide."

He motioned toward the small scoreboard they had made earlier—Lena had sold almost double the amount Neo had.

"I guess you're the real bread master here."

Lena chuckled, shaking her head. "You were terrible at shaping them, so no surprise there."

Neo laughed. "Hey, at least people bought mine. That means I have potential!"

Lena rolled her eyes. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."

Despite her teasing, she looked genuinely happy. For the first time since he met her, she wasn't chasing an unreachable standard—she was just enjoying the moment.

Neo felt a sense of satisfaction.

"She really changed."

A Sudden Silence

The laughter faded into a comfortable stillness as they both gazed up at the darkening sky.

Neo leaned back, resting against the wooden stall.

That's when Lena's voice broke the silence.

"You said you're a traveler, Neo?"

Neo blinked, then turned his head toward her.

"Yeah," he answered casually, looking back up at the sky. "Thank you for teaching me how to bake. It's going to be useful someday!"

Lena didn't respond immediately.

Instead, she lowered her gaze, staring at the empty space in front of her.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Then, with a quiet hesitation in her voice, she asked:

"Are you planning to leave anytime soon?"

Neo paused.

He already knew the answer, but saying it out loud felt different.

"...Yeah, maybe tomorrow."

Another silence followed.

Lena didn't move.

Neo didn't either.

The peaceful moment between them felt heavy now, weighed down by unspoken words.

The Request

Then, suddenly—

Lena stood up.

Neo glanced at her, slightly confused.

She took a deep breath and then, with clear determination, she asked:

"Can you extend that to three days?"

Neo tilted his head. "Three days?"

Lena nodded. "Yeah."

Her expression was unreadable.

Neo scratched the back of his head. "Sure... but why three?"

She hesitated for a moment, then shrugged lightly. "No reason."

Neo studied her for a moment before smirking.

"Alright then. But on one condition."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "Condition?"

Neo grinned. "You have to teach me more about baking."

Lena stared at him for a second, then laughed softly.

"Fine. But you better improve, or else I'm kicking you out of my kitchen."

"Deal."

For the next three days, Neo remained in Dawnstead.

He learned more about baking, practiced shaping bread (still terrible, but slightly better), and spent time with Lena as she adjusted to her new life as a baker.

Three Days Later—A Farewell Awaits

Morning light stretched across the sky as Neo stood at the town gate, fully prepared for his departure.

His bag was packed, his journal secured, and his next destination set.

Now, he was just waiting.

Because before he left, Lena had asked him to meet her here.

So, he waited.

A soft breeze brushed against him, carrying the scent of fresh bread from the village behind him.

Neo glanced back at Dawnstead, then turned his gaze toward the path ahead.

"I wonder why she asked me to stay those extra days."

Then, he heard footsteps—quick, hurried.

The Gift & Parting Words

Lena arrived, running and slightly out of breath.

"Sorry for making you wait," she panted.

Neo smiled. "Don't worry about it. I just arrived."

As she caught her breath, Lena held something in her hands.

She extended it toward Neo.

"Here. This bread won't spoil easily. You can preserve it until your next destination."

Neo blinked, taking the loaf with surprise.

"Really? This is perfect!"

Lena smiled, her expression soft.

"It might not be good to others, but it will be perfect to some."

Neo chuckled, looking down at the bread in his hands before grinning.

"Exactly."

Lena then took a deep breath and straightened her posture.

"You should get going, Neo. You have a long journey ahead."

Neo nodded. "Yeah... You're right."

He tucked the bread into his bag, then looked at Lena one last time.

"Thank you again for this. I really appreciate it."

Lena crossed her arms. "Just don't forget who taught you how to bake."

Neo smirked. "I wouldn't dream of it."

He turned and started walking toward the open road.

But just as he was a few steps away—

Lena cupped her hands around her mouth and called out.

"If you ever visit here again, don't forget to drop by!"

Neo turned slightly, waving without looking back.

"For sure! I'll even help you bake. Maybe even teach you that time!"

Lena scoffed but laughed, shaking her head. "You wish!"

Neo laughed as well.

For the first time since he left Valdris, he was leaving somewhere with no regrets.

The Next Day—A Different Visitor

The next morning, the bakery was open as usual.

A customer walked in, stretching his arms.

"Hey, where's that cheap bread?" he asked casually.

Lena glanced up from arranging her display.

"It was a limited-time item." She smiled slightly. "Only he could make it."

The customer sighed in disappointment but still bought some of her bread before leaving.

Lena stood behind the counter, lost in thought for a moment.

Then—

Clank.

The sound of metal boots stepping onto the wooden floor echoed through the small bakery.

Lena's body stiffened as she instinctively turned toward the entrance.

A knight had entered.

And not just any knight...

A Blessed one.