Who: Savannah and Prince Adamus (Adam) What: a second run-in after she realizes he's the prince Where: her bakery When: Fri morning Warnings: low
Savannah rolled dough under her rolling pin. Sometimes this act helped her get out some aggression in a ladylike manner. Obviously she still needed to ensure the dough wasn’t overworked. Honey scones would soon go in the oven, a request for Marcel’s house.
She wanted to focus on anything besides what she overheard in the market. This entire time the boy for whom she’d fallen was actually the prince. How foolish did she now look? At least she had not done anything to ruin her honour, but now the brunette needed to find someone to marry.
Since the encounter with Zachariah at the bakery, Adam was doing what he could to ensure Savannah’s safety. He may not be able to marry her like he wanted, but he would make damn sure that she didn’t end up with a lout like that. He’d asked a few of his most trusted knights to keep an eye on the bakery and was pleased that the man hadn’t attempted to drop in again.
Today was the first day he was able to stop by himself, having been interrupted by his unexpected meeting with his childhood friend when he attempted to visit the previous day. He waited until there were no customers in the shop to enter, greeting Savannah with his typical smile. “Good afternoon,” he said with a small bow. “I trust you are well today.”
Savannah looked up at the familiar voice. Her heart fluttered in her chest, but the tall brunette only offered a nod of her head. She felt oddly hurt and betrayed by the knowledge Adam was actually the prince. Had he been insincere? Laughing at the baker’s daughter who so obviously fell for him?
“What can I get you, Your Highness?” Her voice remained business like. Savannah did not plan on any harmless flirting now that she knew how much it could cost herself and her father.
She did set down the rolling pin, though, as she offered him her full attention.
Adam’s smile faltered immediately at both her words and her tone. It was always a possibility that she would learn his true identity and yet the flood of disappointment he felt was overwhelming.
“Please,” he said. “It’s Adam. I’m the same man you’ve always known.” The trappings of royalty were something he’d always hated and this was why. People treated him differently and he didn’t want that. Especially not from Savannah.
The faltered smile undid Savannah and it took everything in her to not hug him to help make things better. She tilted her head as her features softened.
“As you wish, Adam.” The brunette pulled two bags of baked goods she set aside for him. “I wish I found out some other way than unintentional eavesdropping.” She offered him a small smile. “I guess I should feel pride you prefer my bakery.” At least now she understood why Adam did not try to court her.
His conversation with his childhood friend, Paige, flashed into his mind. Savannah must have been near and he hadn’t realized. Which made him wonder if anyone else had overheard their conversation. Adam hoped that his adventures weren’t going to be made public knowledge. It would put a serious damper on his ability to sneak out and do what he liked.
“It’s not the bakery I prefer,” he admitted, his eyes meeting her stunning blue ones. Oh, how he wished things could be different.
Adam’s words stilled Savannah so much she dropped her rolling pin. “Drat.” She’d need to clean it, easier to do without people around to witness magic.
“No. No. No. No. No. It’s the bakery. You have to come for the bakery. Otherwise, my heart breaks more than it has.” His eyes made her fall in love more than she had, but the secret witch wanted to be happy in a life without him. Savannah couldn’t have him and so she needed to steel herself against it.
“Savannah…” Adam took a few steps towards her when she dropped the rolling pin and then stopped in his tracks as she spoke. “I have no wish to cause you pain.” If it were his choice, he would not allow anyone or anything to hurt her ever again.
He supposed this was inevitable, given their respective stations, and kind of hated himself for allowing things to get to this point at all. “Would you prefer me not to return?” he asked, knowing that it would probably be the best for both of them despite his selfish desire to continue seeing her.
The brunette felt sick to her stomach. “I don’t wish to cause pain. Or feel any.” And yet here they were at an impasse. One she hated.
“No.” Savannah felt adamant about it. “I don’t want to lose my favourite customer.” She couldn't bear to think they’d never see each other again, even if they couldn’t see each other outside of these brief meetings.
Adam couldn’t imagine not being able to see her and breathed a sigh of relief at her response. If she didn’t want him around, he would respect her wishes, but he was quite glad that she did. “Maybe some day…” he began. “I…”
No, he wasn’t going to make promises that he didn’t know if he could keep. He really wanted things to be different though.
Savannah’s icy blue eyes flashed a warning. “Do not continue this sentence.” She knew exactly what their relationship was, and hopeful promises would help neither of them. Especially the hidden witch who could only hope for a marriage at some point. “We have our meetings here. We must be content with these.”
As much as he wanted to protest, Adam knew she was right. “I will certainly continue to patronize my favorite bakery,” he said. And he would keep putting off the marriage thing as long as he possibly could and maybe some day he would be able to convince people that it was okay for a prince to marry a commoner.
“I should take my leave for now,” he said.
“We appreciate your business.” She smiled, more relaxed.