So many treats! Faisal’s amber gaze sparkled with amazement as he surveyed the display at the bakery. It was one of the finest, if not honestly the finest, places in Sulburi for buying baked goods and the owner was notorious for their spin on many common recipes. There was even something unique about the bread here as many often couldn’t figure out exactly how the bakers got the airy texture that made one believe it almost possible for the bread to simply fly away if not grasped tightly whenever a desert breeze brushed through the city streets. The place was often busy and many nobles came here for cakes and like for their parties and any festivities. If one was having a birthday they would even come here to pick up a pie or a cake for a family celebration as the owner was the best at nailing someone’s personal favorites simply by having a small chat with them. You could just tell the headbaker about your favorite colors or hobbies and they could whip up a cake that would be perfect for you! Faisal’s personal favorite was one that his grandmother had purchased for him whenever he had turned fifteen and he still couldn’t believe how delicious the cake had been. There had been some sort of spice to it with a dark bitter chocolate icing that simply blended together in unforgettable ways. The hybrid sighed wistfully at the memory of it, his stomach rolling in anticipation of whatever he would purchase today. He just hoped that they had received his order and would be ready with the little cakes he had ordered to share with his mother and grandmother during tea today. The sweets were for the autumn season and had spices and fruits brought in from other countries for them to enjoy. Faisal’s personal favorite was the little danish that had apple fillings and cinnamon crumbles across the top. The young swordsman bit his bottom lip in anticipation just at the thought of the sweet before finally opening the door to the bakery. Like usual there was a line but whenever the bells chimed one of the workers glanced up and smiled as soon as she recognized Faisal.

“Fai!” Mawar, a cheerful Oban girl with long red hair tied back in a braid decorated with chiming beads, always had a smile for Faisal and loved helping him and his family members with their orders. “Are you here to pick up the cakes or did you need something else?”

“The cakes!” Replied Faisal with a grin. “Unless you have something else that you can sneak in for me?” The hybrid couldn’t help teasing lightly and his grin only grew more whenever Mawar winked at him and lifted up a second box for him to see.

“Well there are some tarts in here and sugar candies that I could spare. We made extras and I thought you may want some so I went ahead and added them to your first order.” Mawar smiled as she passed the package over towards Faisal. “Just need one more coin and maybe a cup of tea in the future for all this effort.”

A delighted laugh left his lips. She would suggest something like that! But Faisal was in a good mood and more than willing to agree to such a request from the girl. “Sounds good to me, Mawar. There’s a new cafe near the east district that I’ve been wanting to try. Would you like to come with me maybe tomorrow afternoon?” The swordsman shifted the packages in his hand, his senses delighted by the aroma of the food coming both from the packages and the rest of the bakery. Like usual everything smelled delicious and fresh here and even more so that they had the seasonal flavors back on the menu. It made him wish that they lived closer so that he could wake up to such smells every morning.

“I suppose I could make time. I do have that afternoon off.” Replied Mawar after a small pause, “I just hope it’s really good tea since I’d have to walk a bit to get there.”

“Trust me and if not then I suppose I’ll owe you dinner too.”

“Sounds like a good deal to me then!” They spoke for a moment more before the crowd took Mawar’s attention from Faisal and she was forced back to work. Waving, Faisal secured his packages and started back towards his family’s manor. There was no time to waste whenever he had these new sweets to try with everyone back home after all!

[769]