Who: Anne and Athos When: Early September Where: Baxter's Bakery What: A Royal Encounter Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Athos had decided to call into the bakery on the way home that afternoon, sometimes the pastry craving was too much even for him to ignore and, of course, Baxter’s was the only place he considered anymore. Nobody else did such good treats.
Entering he stood in front of the case trying to decide what he’d like and as he stepped to the left bumped into somebody, “I’m sorry” he said before looking at the girl he’d knocked, “Your majesty!” he said in surprise.
Anne had been looking at a message from the head chef on her phone when suddenly she felt someone bump her and heard their apology. Looking up, she cast him a slightly wary smile. “I’m sorry?” she asked, confused by the honorific he used.
“Sorry” Athos said realising what he’d said, “I was lost in thought I didn’t mean to bump into you” he hoped that she would accept that without too much questioning. “Are you new around here?” he asked her, wondering if anybody else was around. It was certainly an interesting turn of events.
“That’s all right,” Anne replied slowly as she considered the man who had bumped into her. “Yes, I moved over here in the summer with my friend Constance to run a branch of my father’s hotel,” she narrowed her eyes slightly and continued with a little, amused smile. “You called me ‘your majesty’. What did you mean by that?”
Athos couldn’t help the look of surprise on his face, “Constance, what an unusual name” was all he commented before he tried to look a little embarrassed, not hard when he’d been caught out. “I am sorry, you just reminded me a little of someone from, well, from history”
“Yes it is, isn’t it,” Anne smiled, then reached out her hand to shake his. “I’m Anne, Anne Mauricia, and you are? And who may I ask do I remind you of from history?” she asked curiously.
“Athos, Athos Fere at your service” he told her with a smile, “A french queen, please pay it no mind. I do apologise, I’ve obviously been reading a little too much french history”
“Nice to meet you Monsieur Fere,” Anne grinned back. “Well I have to say you know how to make an impression on a lady at least, comparing them to a French Queen is definitely one way to win them over,” she tease with a wink. “Is this how you charm all the girls?” she asked.
Athos actually chuckled at that, “Actually I’m known more as a grump than a charmer” he admitted, “But if I have won you over then I am glad to have done so”
“Well that I don’t believe,” Anne laughed. “What would you like?” she asked after the waitress requested their orders. “I’ll have a medium earl gray tea please,” Anne smiled at the girl behind the counter.
“Oh that’s kind of you, but I couldn’t possibly. I need to take pastries home to my husband or I’ll never hear the end of it. I can however get yours” he told her before giving the order to the girl and handing over the cash before Anne could. “Actually add in an extra cookie” he said, before looking back at the queen, “You need to try them”
“Why thank you monsieur, but you will have to allow me to return the favour in that case,” Anne sighed as he handed over the money before her. She pulled out a business card from her purse and handed it over to him. “You’re well trained as well, your husband sounds like he has you catering to his every whim,” she teased with a little grin. “Here’s my business card, message me when you are free for breakfast and we’ll have to meet up, your husband as well, my treat,” she smiled.
“I believe the saying would be that I’m whipped but please don’t tell anybody I admitted it” he told her in a whisper with a hint of a smirk, “Thank you, that is very kind. And it would be lovely to do so, I am sure D’Artagnan, my husband, would agree” Once he’d finished freaking out that was.
“D’Artagnan, that is a most unusual name, where’s it from?” Anne asked as they picked up their order from the counter.
“It’s French actually. His family are originally from there” Athos explained to her as the girl behind the counter gathered what they’d asked for.
“Hmm, I think I’m sensing a connection here,” Anne grinned. “Well thank you very much for your time Mr Fere but I really must dash. Give me a call and we’ll all do lunch,” she smiled at him, waving and moving to the door.
Athos couldn’t help chuckling at that, “It was lovely to meet you. And I will be in touch” he promised giving her a wave as she left.