Dani had been caught by surprise, finding the queen in the hallway instead of just some other noble lady or even a maid. She cringed to think of how she must have seemed, just standing there as casual and confident as she could be with a glass of wine in her hand. It was barely midday, and she had been drinking wine! It wasn’t like it was unheard of, but maybe she should have been drinking water, or juice? Something else!

And then there was the fact that the queen was so nice. Since when were nobles so nice? Even Wulfram had seemed surprised, and she was his mother! Dani glanced at him as they walked down Trade Road, feeling the confusion radiate off him as if it were her own. How much of what she felt was the damn bracelet, and how much was real?

“Your Ma always like that?” She finally asked.

Wulfram looked up at her, his brow furrowed in thought. “To family, yes.”

“I ain’t family though.” Dani paused, looking down at the bracelet with a wrinkled nose. “At least, not really. I doubt that anyone thinks these damn trinkets really makes us... you know.”

“According to tradition and whatever magic is in them, they do make us ‘you know’.” He actually used finger quotes when he said that last part, earning a laugh from Dani. She had really thought him too dignified to do such a thing. “But you’re right, my parents are quite eager to see the spell broken. It’s odd for her to welcome you so warmly, even if you did save my life.”

“You saved mine too, so if we’re counting, we’re even. This way.” Dani turned off the Trade Road, Wulfram following her up a steep, narrow road that snaked between ramshackle buildings and under makeshift bridges.

“I’m willing to accept that. After the ball of course.” Wulfram smiled, ducking under a line of clothes hung over the road. This area wasn’t nearly as busy as the main road, but there were still little shops and stalls set up, people selling what they could find or make. There were even street entertainers, people offering to play games for a half copper a play, or even offering to tell fortunes. Smells and sounds wove together to create a rich tapestry of laughter, spices and movement. Dani took a deep breath, her face breaking into a grin.

“You’ll get your stupid ball, and I’ll dress up fancy and all. But only if you slum a bit. Come on, lets get the rolls first, then we can get some fried fish and chips. Or swing by the house and get some pasties.”

Wulfram watched Dani with amusement, following close behind her in the crowded streets. “Aren’t I slumming now? And do you mean pastry?”

“You’re barely touching the edge of the slum.” Dani led him Raycor’s shop, the windows open to let in the bright sunshine. Azra was outside, drawing her letters in the dirt under the watchful eye of her father and Reshi. “And I don’t mean pastry, I mean pasties. They’re a type of meat pie. Hi Raycor, Reshi.”

She tensed a little as the men looked up, Raycor hadn’t seen the prince close up before, but Reshi had. Reshi’s face settled into a scowl, and he pushed himself to his feet. “Daniella, what the hell ya think yer doin’?”

Dani winced a little, glancing at Wulfram, then back at the pair. At least Raycor was smiling, that was a good sign. How long it would last who knew? Azra leapt to her feet and threw herself at Dani in a hug. “Dani! Di’ya find someone ta marry? That was fast!”

“She better not ‘ave.” Reshi grumbled, his eyes boring into Wulfram. “What are ya doin’ here? Ya an idiot?”

“Dani was telling me there was a place around here to get the best cinnamon rolls in the city. Surely such a claim warrants investigating.” Wulfram smiled politely, although a challenge glinted in his eyes. “Unless of course she was exaggerating.”

“She weren’t ‘ag’eratin’!” Azra puffed up her chest, looking up at Wulfram. “C’mon, ye’ll see!” And with that she grabbed Wulfram’s hand and tugged him towards the door to the bakery. As they went through the door Dani did hear her add, “Long as ya can pay.”

Wulfram looked back at Dani with a raised eyebrow and a smile before ducking into the shop after Azra. Dani let out a small snort of laughter, her own face stuck in a silly grin for a moment.

Until she looked back at Raycor and Reshi.

Both brothers were looking at her, Raycor with curiosity, Reshi with clear disapproval. “Are ya bringin’ ‘im ‘ome ta marry?” Raycor was the first to break the awkward silence, his face settling into a smile. “Looks like a strong’un, talks fancy but there’s nothin’ wrong wit’ that. Najia spoke fancy too.”

“Najia wasn’t as high up as he is.” Reshi said flatly. “Have ya lost yer mind? Ya got any idea of the danger of bringin’ him here?”

“That’s why he’s in disguise. No one is going to recognize him, and if you’re thinking he’s going to hurt us you’re out of your mind. He’s not going to do anything except maybe spend too much money on cinnamon rolls.”

“Ya think that piss-poor disguise is gunna fool folks? Anyone who’s seen him close ‘nough ain’t gunna be fooled fer a second!”

Raycor raised an eyebrow, watching the exchange with a touch of amusement. “An’ who is ‘e then?”

“The damn prince. That’s who.” Reshi snapped, and glanced around to ensure that no one was close enough to hear them, lowering his voice to a harsh whisper. “Ya think folks down ‘ere don’t know what he looks like? Not everyone pays as little attention as you do!”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“It’s a good disguise Reshi! Really! No one around here has seen him close enough to recognize him without his fancy clothes on. He just looks like another worker, maybe a well paid one with the quality of those clothes. But still a worker, or maybe a mercenary.. he did insist on wearing that sword.”

“He might pass fer a mercenary. But yer still runnin’ a risk here. What are ya gonna do if he’s recognized?” Reshi said.

“I doubt he’ll be recognized Reshi.” Raycor cut in and rested a hand on his brothers shoulder. “Why don’t ya go on in an’ get yerself somethin’ ta eat Dani. There’s extra pasties in the back, an’ the cinnamon rolls are fresh. I wan’ an ‘onest opinion on the new apple ones too, so make sure ya try one.”

Reshi looked at Raycor with slightly narrowed eyes, looking like he wanted to argue. But he let out a dismissive grunt and sat back down, scooping up his whittling once more. “Do what ya want.”

Dani hesitated, somehow stung by the easy way Reshi dismissed her. She hadn’t expected him to just brush her off like that. “Alright. I’ll just, go in then.”

Raycor settled down next to Reshi, lounging against the wall of the bakery as he watched people walk by. With nothing else to do, and the men ignoring her, Dani went inside the shop to see how Azra and Wulfram were doing.

Therija stood behind the counter, watching Azra and Wulfram with sharp eyes and a stunned look on her face. She turned that sharp gaze on Dani as she came in. “Dani!” She hurried around the counter, grasping Dani’s hands and glancing back at Azra and Wulfram. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Dani, what in the names of the gods is goin’ on? Ya bringin’ a royal ta our little shop now?!”

“Shhh, he ain’t that big a deal. Just call him Wulf, we don’t want folks knowing he’s who he is.” Dani whispered, her grin returning. Therija was sharp, and had good eyes, of course she’d recognize him! But she was still certain others wouldn’t.

“Don’t want folks knowin’ who he is?” Therija gripped Dani’s hands tighter. “Dani, ‘e dropped two gold on the counter! Don’t even know where down ‘ere I’m s’posed ta use it. Azra is making him taste everythin’ in the shop!”

And so she was, explaining in painful detail what each treat was, from the simple wheat bread, to the new fancy cinnamon roll that Raycor had been talking about with it’s apple slices sticking out like flower petals, and it’s dusting of powdered sugar. Dani grinned, watching Wulfram get led around by the little girl with impressive patience and rapt attention. He glanced up once when he felt Dani’s eyes on him, and gave her a wink before returning his attention to Azra.

“He’s good with kids it seems.” Dani said. She supposed it made sense though, he had two sisters who were just a little bit younger than Azra. By this point he should know how to deal with kids.

Therija looked at Dani, her expression turning thoughtful, a corner of her mouth turning up. “Oh aye, that he seems ta be.”

“What? What are you smirking at?” Dani pulled her hand from Therija’s, a blush rising in her cheeks. “I’m just noticing the obvious!”

“I didn’t say anythin’.” Therija turned to look at Azra and Wulfram again. “Ye said to call him Wulf?”

“Yes, it’s far enough from his real name to fool people I think, and lots of people go by animal names in the Rats Nest.” Dani shrugged slightly. Really it was a lot of thieves that went by animal names in the Rats Nest, but surely they weren’t the only ones that did. “Anyways, we’re just here to eat lunch and then he’s going back to the palace and I’m going back to work.”

“How long a break did Mrs. Haversaun give ya? I s’pect it won’t take too much longer for Azra ta show him every baked good in the shop.” Therija watched as Azra started to put cinnamon rolls and bread in a bag, lecturing Wulfram on the best ways to eat such things (which of course was unwinding it from the outside and savoring the center last).

“It’s a pro-prossess.” Azra said seriously. “The outside gets ‘ard fastest, so ya gotta, ya gotta eat that first. That leaves the the soft center fer last. Is even better when it’s warm, but not burnt!”

“I imagine burnt cinnamon buns would not be very tasty at all. Not at all like these.” Wulfram said with matching seriousness, even though Dani could feel the amusement that wanted to bubble out of him.

“Not at all! That’s why we don’t let Dani work ‘ere.” Azra said in a stage whisper, leaning up on her toes to better reach Wulfram’s ear.

A laugh escaped this time, Wulfram’s gaze moving back to Dani. “Not a very good cook I suppose?”

Dani’s face turned red and she shot a glare at Azra. The little brat! She was trying not to laugh too. “I have other skills. I can read, write, and sew. You can’t even reach the middle ovens!”

“Least I dun’ burn everythin’!” Azra stuck her tongue out at Dani, putting her hands on her nonexistant hips.

Next to Dani, Therija let out a small laugh, trying to hide it behind a cough. Dani shot a glare at Therija, but just muttered. “I’m going to go get pasties. Finish getting your sweets Wulf.”

Wulfram chuckled and looked down to Azra. “I think young Azra here has given me plenty, they’ll be wondering why I’m carrying such a large bag back home! But I think my sisters will be delighted, especially with the apple ones.”

Azra beamed proudly, grinning up at Wulfram. “Bet they’ll like ‘em a lot! Will ya come back? I bet ya will. People always come back ‘cause we’re the best bakery in Rats Nest!”

“I will try my best to come back, but it will probably be a long time. I have to leave the city for a little while.” Wulfram took one of the pasties Dani had grabbed from behind the counter by the ovens. Not too hot to hold, but still warm enough to eat on their walk back to Mrs. Haversaun’s.

Azra’s face fell into a pout. “Oh.... maybe ya should take some more then.”

“I promise, I have enough. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Wulfram laughed. “Thank you for all the treats, my family and I will enjoy them immensly.”

Azra’s forehead wrinkled in thought. “Do that mean a lot?”

“Yes, yes it does. Take care, both of you. It was a pleasure to meet Dani’s family.” Wulfram bowed slightly to Therija and Azra, hiding a smile as he followed Dani out the door.

Raycor and Reshi were still relaxing outside the shop, Raycor chatting with an old woman holding a basket, and Reshi carving a thick branch down into the shape of some animal. He turned his dark eyes on Wulfram and shaved off another sliver of wood. He didn’t say anything, just glared at him.

Wulfram bowed slightly to the two men, his smile fading somewhat. “Sirs, it was a pleasure to meet you both.”

“Hrmpf.” Reshi snorted, another sliver of wood joining the pile at his feet.

Raycor looked up at Wulfram, extending a large hand for him to shake. “A pleasure, hope you enjoy the treats, an’ come visit any time.”

“I will Sir, thank you.” Wulfram shook the larger mans hand. “It’s truly been a pleasure.”

“We should go.” Dani said pointedly. “I gotta get back to work.”

“Of course, of course.” Wulfram laughed. “I’ll get you back to work safely.”

“Ye’d better.” Reshi growled, watching them as the pair walked away side by side. He chopped off a healthy portion of his stick, letting it bounce along the dirt road after them.