Interlude (Since Keith is asleep)

"Do you think they'll be back by tonight?" Penelope wiped her clean hands on her clean white apron. She was enjoying herself, as usual, and having lots of fun.

The stew was bubbling hot so she set it simmering in the pot. The next batch of sourdough was rising in a bowl. Dessert was a new item, called a cinnamon roll. Two large Floofpoof pies were cooling on the rack. She'd hunted the monster in the forest out back, and with a high pitched musical word, *poof* had gone the Floofpoof bird.

"Who?" Olen leaned over and spontaneously kissed his wife on the cheek. His beard was rough and she let out a squeak.

"Keith and Henrietta!" Penelope poked her husband playfully on the arm. His acceptance of her pokes and ropes was another example of his charm. "Do you think they'll be back tonight?"

"Won't matter," Olen shrugged, "We rented the rooms to them nonetheless, my love."

Penelope adored his Baldorin accent, but she facepalmed when he missed her intent.

Lulu and Niko, the bluebirds who helped out until sunset, were on their last rounds before turning in for bed. Olen paid them handsomely for all they were tasked, as the two were a delight and did whatever was asked. He also liked to gift them a cup of bird seed once a week. Today was that day. Her husband was so sweet.

Penelope's attempt at gossiping was to no avail, so she moved to chopping fruit for Lavender's signature cocktails. Berries were washed and thrown in a jar, and Xander the Squirrel brought it to the bar. Everything was perfect, and what could go wrong? Penelope felt a song coming on!

"Before I came

to this sleepy little town

It was the same

Seeking glory all around.

I had adventure in the Great wide elsewhere!

I conquered dungeons towering high!

From undead legion

To golden griffins in the sky

But no matter the thrill

Life or death or monster kill,

There was no where I belonged;

I couldn't find my song."

Olen popped his head in the window, "Xander, a new set of cutlery please!"

Penelope grabbed a fork and knife wrapped in a kerchief and tossed it Xander's way. He did a flip and caught it, placing it on Olen's tray.

Penelope smiled at Olen, then turned back to the oven.

"The pies are baking

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

And the customers are waiting.

Lulu did I just hear a spill?"

Lulu flew around the princess in a delicate arch to pick up a table cleaning cloth. Penelope spun happily and proceeded to dance in circles around the kitchen - stopping only once to stir the broth.

"Lavenders magic drinks

Sometimes clog up the sink,

And I've four orders left to fill."

Penelope stopped and grabbed a broom, sweeping a perfectly clean room.

"I used to sleep on feather mattresses,

But I'll confess that Olen's comfier…

I used to live in Emerald palaces

But I'll admit that they were stuffier."

Her song turned soft and pensive as she looked around the place where she lived.

"The smell of fresh baked pie's divine,

Warm tea will please the heart and mind.

No Palace cold or silver mine

Will bring a smile

So stay awhile

and I promise you will finnnnd.

When you go complete your quest

The gods above will know you're blessed.

The hearth is where the heart may rest.

So find your home

No need to roam

Your chosen family is the best!"

"Pen, the princess is coming." Olen poked his head into the kitchen and cocked it to the right. "And she's coming in fast."

His [Innkeeper] Title came with many fine things, one of which tracked tenants like the princess and their king.

"Perfect!" Penelope rushed out to welcome their guests, as Henrietta burst in holding Keith to her chest. Before anyone could fathom what was right before their eyes, the princess ran upstairs - leaving everyone surprised.

A great big smile bloomed on Penelope's face. She'd turned back to the kitchen with a happy skip - of course with grace. She ducked into her reading nook and brought out bottles three, a cleaning charm, a ring alarm, and an Enchanted golden key. After leaving Xander in charge below she took the secret stairs, bringing her to the second floor and the rooms for lease up there.

"Princess?" She gently knocked on the door to the royal suite, her hand hovered as her heart skipped a beat. But just a moment later, the door opened wide and Henrietta stepped out while hiding the inside. Penelope sighed that she didn't get to see their king sprawled out haphazardly. But all in good time, she told herself to wait; she was in a race to stave off an ugly fate. Henrietta had need for the trinkets in her hand, and it was the work of seconds to make the princess understand.

"This ring is Enchanted to let you know when your baby wakes up in the night," Penelope gave Henrietta the ring on a thread, a beautiful black circle on twine that fit over her head. "And this key will place a spell upon the room such that whomever awakens within sets off a blinking light."

"Penelope, thank you." Henrietta gripped the key tight. "I think he'll need at least two [Rests], but I don't know if he has any abilities that will affect that to make it shorter."

"No worries, I've also brought these." Penelope pulled out the bottles and the cleaning charm from her apron, offering the Stamina potions and emerald to her patron.

Penelope grimaced at that truly terrible rhyme; sadly, it wasn't fun being a [Fairytale Princess] all of the time. "These will help you recover and I'll also make you some warm tea, and this can go with His Viciousness so that he'll wake up fresh as a spring daisy."

"I'll be right back." Henrietta took the cleaning charm and, finally, opened the door, so Penelope got a look at the king being cared for. Keith was tucked up and snug safely in the bed. Henrietta gently laid a hand against his head. With ease the princess softly slipped the gem into his palm - and Penelope was happy that she'd shipped them all along.

"Let's go downstairs," Henrietta told Penelope. They left him locked inside the room with an Enchanted golden key.

Lavender welcomed the pair and made a magical sparkling drink. Penelope was called away to the dishes in the sink. She hummed a song under her breath, she whispered every part, about a Dark Magician King… and the girl who won his heart.