When we arrived, Ronald was fixing the sign for the bakery. Laura was the first to hop down and when I did, I quickly held on to Leo so he wouldn’t run away.

Ronald turned around as he heard the horses whinny and started to walk towards Laura. “Laura, where have you been?!” he started screaming at her. “You were needed an hour ago! Why did you leave? What were you thinking?!”

I stepped out of Laura’s shadow, greeting Ronald with a sarcastic smile. “Hello, Ronald. How’s the signage?”

Ronald quickly took a step back, startled by my presence. “It’s… n-none of your business,” he stuttered, trying to put up a brave face in front of me.

I stood beside Laura and Grandpa Ben came out from the shop. He started looking around for Ronald and when he saw him with us, he immediately marched towards us.

“Ronald,” Grandpa Ben gave Ronald a slight nudge on his left arm, making Ronald jump. “Did you do what I told you to do?” he asked, irritated.

“I’m already finished, Grandpa Ben,” Ronald complained. “You didn’t have to push me. You could’ve just called my name.”

“I told you to get back inside right after you finish the sign. Why are you still here?” Grandpa Ben replied. “Go back to the kitchen,” he pointed to the bakery.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Ronald gave us one final glare of hatred before mouthing towards me, “You deserve to be in the Realm of Darkness.”

I chuckled before answering with a teasing smile, “No need to worry, little one, you’ll be the first one to go there.”

My remark was enough to make Laura snicker, which only angered Ronald even more.

This time, Grandpa Ben hit Ronald on his arm. “Will you just return to your station and quit bothering other people?”

Defeated, Ronald quickly went back to the bakery, rubbing the back of his arm.

Laura slowly turned to me. “Thank you for… making sure I return home safely,” she said with a faint voice, gently grabbing Leo from my grip.

“You’re welcome.”

“You can leave now. They might be looking for you,” she continued.

“Who’s looking for me?” I asked, confused. “Are you pertaining to my family? Why would they be looking for me?”

Laura looked at me, unsure if I’m being serious with my questions. “If you haven’t noticed, Robert, it’s near dinner time. For sure, they will be looking for you.”

“Oh, of course,” I quickly shook my head. “In that case, I would like to see you tomorrow morning before the sun rises.”

“Why?”

“I would like to watch the sunrise with you before I do anything else tomorrow,” I explained, trying to convince her to agree.

She took a deep breath in, thinking. “I will see what I can do,” she replied. Her face wasn’t giving any implications that she’s interested in seeing me tomorrow. Maybe I shouldn’t move too fast.

“Or we can do it some other time. If you want to have some time away from me, I understand,” I answered, smiling gently.

She simply nodded, not looking me straight in the eye.

With all the remaining courage within my body, I walked closer to her and laid a soft peck on her forehead. “I will see you soon.”

“Goodbye,” was all she said before turning around and proceeding to the back of the bakery.

I hopped on Lady and went back to the castle.