Month: February 2022

To go back and read Part 1 of Candice’s story, click here.

To read Part 2 of Candice’s story, click here.

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Arriving at Mai Branton’s office was a blur. Probably because Candice was first escorted through a gorgeous, sprawling villa to reach it. The whole place was stunning. Artwork, fountains, gardens, people, dozens of turns she couldn’t keep track of, and her brain was still spinning through every word spoken in the car with Prince Dalton. A part of her still could hardly comprehend that she had seen him in person, let alone speak with him.

Thankfully Felix was still with her, leading her through the maze of hallways. When he stopped in front of a random door that looked no different than any of the other ones they had passed, Candice had to rock back hard on her heels to avoid slamming into him.

“Are you sure it’s this one?” She blurted. “How do you know it’s this one?”

“Don’t worry, miss. This is the one.” He didn’t wait any longer, opening the door and heading in. Candice reluctantly followed after him, taking a deep breath as she went.

Mai did not smile as Candice entered, instead moving to pull several papers off the printer. “Ms Evans. I trust your ride was uneventful.”

Surprised, Candice glanced over at Felix. He smiled and shook his head slightly. Thankfully Ms Branton did not notice since she was focused on the papers she’d printed.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Alright.” Ms Branton motioned to the seat across the desk from her. “Please take a seat. I have an agreement for you to sign as well as your schedule for the next few days. I hope you understand that some training will be necessary to prepare you for your required appointments and events. Questions?”

“What does the agreement entail? And what is my boss thinking is happening?”

“Your boss will be told in the morning that you have been temporarily contracted to assist in the upcoming conference and are required to be attending training meetings and such. If we need you after the conference we will think of something else to tell him.”

It took over an hour for Ms Branton to cover all the details that were outlined in the agreement as well as her schedule for the next day. After everything was signed and all the questions were answered and all the ‘don’ts’ covered, Ms Branton escorted her to the suite where she would be staying for the duration of her visit.

As they walked, Candice shook her head. “I am so lost, I’ll never remember where to go.”

“I will make sure you receive a map with your schedule in the morning. And if you still get lost, ask any of the staff for help and they will be happy to assist.”

“Ms Branton, I have what may seem like an odd question.” She chuckled hesitantly. “Will I be seeing the prince before that first public engagement?”

Ms. Branton stopped walking. “Why?”

Candice faced her with a shrug, smiling easily even though she wanted to wilt a little under the suspicious glare she was being subject to. “I wouldn’t want to react oddly to meeting him for the first time with who knows how many people watching.”

“You have a point.” Ms Branton gave a sharp nod. “I will have to check his schedule. Your first appearance with the prince won’t be for another week so we should be able to find some time somewhere, even if it is for only a few minutes at a time.”

Opening the door to her room, Candice forced herself to not stumble to a stop. It wasn’t actually a room, it was a suite with a beautifully appointed sitting room and branched off into two rooms, one on either side. Ms Branton stopped just inside the door.

“Now Candice, you should have all the essentials you will need for the night in your room as well as some snacks. Dinner will be brought here tonight in about an hour. When they come, let them know any food preferences, dietary requirements, and such that you need. I will see you in my office tomorrow after you have your breakfast.”

“Thank you.” She stopped herself from bowing. “I’m unsure how to fill the gaps in etiquette. I know how I’m supposed to act in public…”

Ms Branton shook her head. “Do not worry. We will cover it all tomorrow.”

Candice nodded and wandered further into my huge room as she heard the door click shut behind Ms Branton. She didn’t get farther than a small side table that was not visible from the door, sitting beside the sofa. Not seen from the door, laying there on that table, was a phone. Candice hurried to pick it up and rush to the door, turning it over in her hands. As she made it to the door, it buzzed in her hand.

Luckily she glanced down at the screen before she opened her door because she discovered that the text, several texts, were for her. 

Candice? 

Candice stared down at the phone and opened another. 

This is Dalton…the prince. I hope this phone is somewhere you can find it.

Apparently the prince was very swift on fulfilling promises. Her fingers fumbled and she unlocked the phone. As she hurried to open the messages she dropped the phone. Laughing to herself she picked it up and took a shaky breath, moving over to the sofa to sit. And breathe.

Another text came in before she began to type.

Dalton: I can only imagine what you will think when you find this phone with hundreds of texts from a random guy you just met. Ha.

Candice laughed. And finally sent her text.

Candice: You have amazing timing. I almost took the phone to Ms Branton thinking someone had left their phone. And you are not a random guy. Though I do appreciate the thought of acting like a beacon with all the texts to ensure that I noticed the phone.

Dalton: You found it!

Candice:  You managed to get me a phone. I admit to being surprised at how fast you followed through.

Dalton: Let’s just say that I was motivated to be prompt. I’m curious about this whole pastry thing you so fetchingly whispered into my ear. You definitely had my attention.

Candice blushed, writing, deleting, and rewriting different responses before settling with: Fetchingly? I was going for convincing.

If you missed Part 1 of her story, click here.

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My phone rang as I stepped out of Stella’s Bakery at the end of my shift. I had a guess who was calling and even after spending the rest of my shift trying to figure out if I would say yes to playing the part of a Countess, I still didn’t know my answer.

It rang again, startling me from my thoughts. After a deep breath, I answered. “Hello, Candice Evans speaking.”

“Candice. This is Mai Branton. Have you made your decision?”

“Wow. You weren’t kidding about needing an answer once my shift was over.” I stopped on the curb. “What if I hadn’t called the number until now?”

“Then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” There was a slight pause. “You are going to say no, aren’t you?”

I shrugged. “I don’t feel right, lying to the prince.”

Mai laughed. “Oh you won’t be. He knows. In fact, he is part of the team searching for her stand in. He chose you.”

“Prince Dalton chose me to fill in for his fiance?”

“Would that change your answer?” Mai’s voice sounded hopeful.

Hastily reassessing, I slumped to sit down on the curb. “If he knows, then I guess it’s fine. How long?”

“Until Countess de Launcey is located.” Mai sighed. “Now, get off the ground and let’s be on our way.”

I shot to my feet and looked around. I couldn’t see the woman I remembered from the bakery anywhere. “Can you see me?”

“No, dear. I can only imagine how I would take the news of all this. I will send a car to pick you up. Are you on your way home or still at the bakery?”

I glanced back at the bakery and smiled. “I am standing in front of the bakery. Should I wait here?”

Mai’s voice crackled for a second, as if she were talking to someone away from her phone. Then she was back. “Stay there. Felix is on his way. Black sedan with our flag on the door panel. He will identify himself before approaching you. See you in a few.”

With that, the phone disconnected and I stared at the blank screen.

Ten minutes later a black sedan pulled up a few feet away and a tall smiling man stepped out, tipping his hat toward her. “Miss Evans? My name is Felix. Miss Branton sent me to fetch you.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Felix. Do you know if it would be possible for me to stop by my house for a minute?”

Felix opened the back door and bowed. “I believe that has already been put on the schedule for tomorrow. Is there something urgent you need to retrieve?”

Candice shook her head. “Other than necessities, no. Tooth brush, pajamas, that sort of thing.”

“We have some options available for you in the guest suite. No worries there, miss.”

Candice nodded and got in. She gave a small squeal when she realized she wasn’t alone. Thankfully her first instinct was not to strike out. “Prince Dalton!”

Felix dipped his head down, confusion on his face. “Did Miss Branton not inform you that he would be in the car?” Felix looked to the prince.

Prince Dalton waved him away. “It is my fault, Felix. I will deal with Miss Branton when we arrive. You will not get in trouble.”

I edged away from the royal with as much subtlety as I could manage. However, when his attention came back to me I couldn’t see straight.

“I am truly sorry to give you such a start, Miss Evans. I merely could not resist meeting you away from all the prying eyes.” He extended his hand. “A pleasure to meet you. Thank you for stepping in during this crisis.”

“I…you…hi.” Words were not working well for me at the moment.

Prince Dalton chuckled. “Hi.”

“I don’t know how I am supposed to address you. I know I’m going to be pretending to be a countess, and your fiancé at that but you know I’m not. Do I call you different things depending on the situation? How do I know which situation warrants which address? Does the countess run away often?” I clamped my hand over my mouth and took a deep breath. “Sorry.”

“No. I understand how this would all be very confusing. Especially if I am the first royal you have met.” One eyebrow raised in question at that.

“I…yes. You are my first royal. Not mine. Erm.” I lost the battle to not squirm a little in my seat.

Prince Dalton smiled. “Not to worry. Please call me Dalton, in private and public. That way, there is no confusion. Callista and I were on a first name basis, so you calling me anything else would raise questions.”

My mouth gaped, but only for a second. I reigned in my shock as quickly as I could. “Do you like pastries?”

I could see the surprise on his face at the abrupt change of topic but refrained from taking it back.

“I do.” His smile was back and more dazzling than ever. “Why?”

“Oh. I sell pastries. And my favorite thing is helping people find their favorite. Do you have a favorite?”

I watched as he thought, surprised that he didn’t have an answer right away.

“You know, Candice, I don’t think I’ve ever had someone ask me that. Usually I eat whatever pastry is brought. And I enjoy it. Would you be able to help me discover my favorite?”

“Oh, I wasn’t implying that you had to have one. I was only making conversation. Pastries are one of the things I know best.”

He laughed. “Then we are sure to be able to find my favorite. Say you’ll help me.”

“I already am.” I smiled. “Though I’m sure I can manage helping with both.”

The car stopped and his smile disappeared behind a neutral, rather regal expression. I was immediately intimidated again. Before I could question the sudden change, the door opened.

“After you, Miss Evans.” Prince Dalton motioned politely to the door. Gone was the man who had been laughing with me only moments before. For a brief second, I wondered if I would ever get to see that side of him again or if I would only be seeing him at the necessary public obligations as his Countess de Launcey.

I whispered softly. “We have to find your favorite flavor first. I’ll make up a list.”

A flash of humor momentarily brightened his eyes as he whispered back. “I’ll be sure to get you a phone with my number in it so we can begin our investigation.”

On impulse I squeezed his hand and exited the car.

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Come back next week for Part 3 of Candice’s story!

“Order for Kenley.” Hank called out.

I winced as Kenley grabbed her order. While I knew that Hank having a good loud voice was great for helping the customers know when their food was ready, but him yelling right next to my ear was wearing my nerves down to nothing. I was flinching every time he stepped up beside me.

Shaking it off, I turned to the next person in line. “Welcome to Stella’s Bakery. What can I get for you?”

A woman dressed in a black power suit with an expression to match stepped up to the counter. She didn’t glance at the menu board or the pastry display. Her gaze remained locked on me and there wasn’t a smile to accompany it. I braced for her complaint. I gave her my best customer service smile and mustered up all the patience I had left.

Instead of ordering or complaining, she laid a business card down on the counter in front of me. “You have been called to serve your country and your crown. Call me when your shift is done.” The woman attempted a smile but it didn’t show in her eyes. Maybe she wasn’t used to using her smile muscles.

In seconds, the woman was out of line and walking out the door. For a second, I thought about running after her and demanding an explanation to such an odd phrase. However, with the line winding through the shop I couldn’t give myself any more time to think about the woman’s unusual announcement. There were other customers waiting who did want to order. Slipping the card off the counter, I shoved it into my work apron and got back to work.

“Welcome to Stella’s Bakery. What can I get for you?”

An old balding man smiled at me. “I don’t know.”

“Any favorite flavor or type of pastry?” I gave him a bright smile back. My secret favorite part of my job was helping people discover their favorite pastry.

“Lemon?” He said. “Do you have that here?”

“We do.” I nodded, pointing at the display case next to me. “We have lemon tartlets, creamy lemon mousse cups, chocolate covered lemon truffles, and powdered lemon drops.” I leaned over the counter. “Lemon is my favorite too.”

“Candice.” My boss called from the back room. “Your 5 minute break was due an hour ago. Take it now before I have to fire you for loving your job too much.”

I laughed. “I’ll get right on that.” Turning back to the old man. “I guess you are going to be my last customer before I have to go on break. Did any of those sound like something you want to try?”

“I’ll take one of each.” He smiled. “And a lemon tartlet for you to have on your break.”

“Aww thank you sir. I can’t. It’s policy.” I sighed. I rang up his order and handed him a bag full of his pastries. “Enjoy.”

Disappearing into the back room I rolled my shoulders and slumped back against the wall. Heading to the small closet-like break room I grabbed my phone and went out back into the alley. As far as alleys go, it was neat and clean and I loved the fresh air.

While checking my texts and skipping past the ones from my mother, I remembered the business card I had stashed in my apron. Pulling it out, I looked it over. Mai Branton. I hesitated at the phone number. She had basically demanded I call when my shift was over. It wasn’t over but I didn’t want to wait another two hours to figure out what was going on.

A second later I was calling.

“Hello Candice.” The voice was the woman who had handed me the card. “Your shift does not end until 3.”

“I’m on break. Who are you?” I kept my voice steady even though my hands were shaking.

“As it says on the card my name is Mai Branton. I am the royal advisor’s head of logistics.”

“Ok. Why are you talking to me?”

“There is a situation. And when going over our options your name came up.”

“My name? From who?”

There was a hesitation. “I wish we could have this meeting face to face but I could not arrange it. I shouldn’t say this before you agree to help but I think you have a right to know. However, if you do repeat any of what I am about to say you will end up in jail, at the very least. When reviewing our options your name didn’t come up, it was your picture. You match the description we need.”

“You need someone who looks like me?”

“Yes.”

My breathing caught and my chest constricted. “Am I going to be framed for something?”

Mai chuckled. “No. Something much more exciting. Countess De Launcey is missing and you fit her description well enough that with some heels and makeup you can pass for her.”

“Why not just find your countess?”

“We are trying. And in the meantime she has some high profile engagements that she can not miss. You won’t be making any decisions or changing laws. We just need time to locate her without hysteria over a missing noble.”

“So you want me to fill in for the Countess De Launcey?”

“Yes.” After a pause she continued. “You will be well compensated and arrangements will be made so that you will not get in trouble with your employer or school.”

I began to pace. “Do I have time to think about it?”

“Till the end of your shift. We will have to work through the night to make sure you are ready for the essential upcoming engagements.”

“Like what?”

“Luncheon with Prince Dalton.”

I dropped my phone. As I scrambled to pick it back up Hank popped the door open. “Is your break almost over? The line is piling up out there. Tonya’s shift just started and could really use your help.”

“Coming.” I shoved my phone into my apron and headed back inside.

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Come back next week for part 2 of Candice’s story!