CHAPTER 87: A SLICE OF CHOCOLATE CAKE

Lilith followed her usual morning routine, getting dressed and heading down to the crypt to use her magic on the prince. She had resolved to keep a neutral expression in his presence, maintaining the strict roles of prince and servant. He had made it clear that was how he preferred it.

Once she finished in the crypt, she hurried back to her chamber, hoping to avoid any further interaction, especially his tendency to carry her without warning. To her relief, the prince didn’t call for her in the hours that followed, allowing her to rest in peace.

By noon, however, boredom consumed her. She decided to visit Eldric. A small part of her secretly hoped the prince might catch sight of her with him.

After adjusting her hair, she made her way downstairs to the servants’ quarters where Eldric was staying. She didn’t know which room was his and couldn’t very well knock on every door, so she circled around the building in search of someone to ask.

Fortunately, she found him outside, doing laundry and hanging clothes to dry. He hadn’t noticed her at first, but as she approached, he instinctively turned around. His expression shifted from a mild frown to surprise.

"Lilith... Good afternoon. What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Mm... I didn’t mean to startle you. I was bored all alone in my room, so I decided to come find you. Need any help?" she said, stepping forward and reaching for a piece of clothing in the basket.

Eldric stopped her, placing a gentle hand over hers. "No! No... don’t worry about it. I’m almost done."

"Are you sure?" Lilith squinted at him, unconvinced.

"Yes, I’m sure. Thank you, though," he said with a soft smile. An awkward silence fell between them as he scratched the back of his head, clearly unsure what to say next. "How would you like me to help you with your boredom?"

Lilith tilted her head in thought. "I’m not really sure... how about a walk? Outside the palace, I mean."

"Mm..." He hesitated. "Where exactly?"

"Nowhere specific—maybe the market... or a bakery?" she shrugged.

Eldric’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if debating whether to agree. After a long pause, he finally nodded. "Alright. I know a bakery we could visit."

Lilith’s smile widened. She had been a little worried he might say no.

"I just need to finish this and put on something more presentable," he added.

"Even more reason for me to help with the clothes. It’s just a few left," she said, glancing at the basket, then back to his face. "I’ll be done before you’re back. It’s really not a big deal, I swear."

He hesitated again, his lips pressing into a thin line. But then he sighed, giving in. "Alright. I’ll go change. Thank you."

As he walked away, Lilith eagerly got to work, spreading the last of the clothes—just two shirts and a pair of trousers. Only a few minutes passed before Eldric returned, running his fingers through his hair to smooth it down.

Her eyes flickered to his torso, briefly exposed as he adjusted his shirt. His body was toned, though not like that of the prince. Eldric was a good-looking man, no doubt, but he didn’t make her toes curl, or send butterflies dancing in her stomach, or cause her heart to skip a beat.

"I’m ready. Shall we leave?" he asked, breaking her out of her thoughts, a broad smile on his face.

"Yes, of course," Lilith replied as they walked together to the carriage house and climbed into the carriage designated for the servants. Eldric gave the coachman directions to the bakery, which was a street away from the market square.

The bakery was a quaint, one-storey building painted in warm white and red, the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries wafting through the air and drawing in passersby like a silent invitation.

When the carriage rolled to a stop, Lilith and Eldric climbed down and approached the bakery, where a small line had already formed.

They joined the queue, and within ten minutes they were at the front, greeted by the baker—a cheerful elderly woman who immediately recognized Eldric.

"Oh my goodness, it’s been ages since I saw you, El!" she exclaimed, her wide smile revealing a few missing teeth at the corners of her mouth.

Her brown hair, streaked with white, was pulled into a loose bun, wrapped in a multicolored scarf.

"Good to see you too, Mrs. Simon," Eldric greeted with warmth and familiarity. "How have you been?"

"Wonderful! The bakery is thriving, and my grandson has finally stopped getting into trouble. Life is good. And how have you been, El?"

"Also wonderful. Life is indeed good." He smiled, then gently placed a hand across Lilith’s shoulder. "This is Lilith—she also works at the palace. Lilith, this is Mrs. Simon. I’ve known her since I was little."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Simon," Lilith greeted with a shy smile.

"Nice to meet you too, Lilith. You’re a beautiful one." The woman’s eyes twinkled as she turned to Eldric. "El, are you two courting?"

"No! Not at all!" they both exclaimed at once, visibly flustered.

But Mrs. Simon only laughed, her grin growing wider. "That’s exactly how my husband and I answered the first time we were asked if we were courting. And guess what? We’ve been married over forty years now." She chuckled, clearly enjoying herself.

"Lilith and I are just friends, that’s all," Eldric said, trying to correct her, but it was clear the woman had already made up her mind.

"Whatever you say, El," she said with a playful wink. "So, what would you like to have today?" she asked.

"A slice of chocolate cake," he replied, then turned to Lilith. "What about you?"

"Chocolate cake too," she whispered.

He turned back to the baker. "We’ll both have a slice of chocolate cake."

"Very well," she said with a nod.

As she worked, she began recounting the history of her bakery—something Eldric had heard more times than he could count. A few minutes later, she handed them their slices.

Eldric reached into his pocket and pulled out two coins to pay, but she waved him off with a smile. "It’s on the house."

They both thanked her warmly for her kindness before walking away, cakes in hand.