Louis walked into the kitchen. It was a few hours before Danielle's birthday bash and Louis was checking on the birthday cake to ensure that it was ready before the party guests start arriving.

"It's almost there." The baker mumbled to himself, without realising that the prince had set foot into the room. He held the piping bag as he decorated the cake with tiny dollops of chocolate icing.

The baker stood up straight and turned around, bumping into Louis. The baker gasped and moved back. He almost crashed into the cake but Louis grabbed him by the shirt with one swift motion and pulled him towards himself. The baker's face was centimetres from Louis'. The piping bag fell from the baker's hand and, in a frenzy, Louis reached for it. The chocolate icing spurted out and onto the baker. "Oops!" Louis cried. "I'm so sorry."

"Hi, your highness." The baker said.

Taking a closer look, Louis realised that the baker was a young man, probably only a few years off his own age. The baker had a pair of familiar green eyes. His deep voice brought bittersweet memories back for Louis.

"Harry?" Louis asked as his eyes widened in surprise. He realised he still had his hand, tightly holding onto Harry's shirt. He released his grasp and blushed, realising how close their faces were.

"Why is it that I'm always the one getting covered in chocolate?" Harry lamented. Louis rolled his eyes.

"So you're the one marrying Princess Danielle, huh?" Harry remarked.

"That's really none of your business but yes, I am marrying Danielle." Louis asserted.

"It kind of concerns the political situation of the region I live in so I think it is my business." Harry commented.

"You always have to make everything difficult, don't you?" Louis huffed.

"I thought you liked that about me."

"I no longer find it funny. In fact, it's quite irritating."

"Sorry, Lou- Your highness, but I can't change who I am to suit you." Harry stated.

"I wish you could." Louis mumbled under his breath.

"If you don't mind, I'm getting back to work." Harry said, changing out of the dirty apron. He tied a fresh one around his waist and cast the one that had been dirtied with chocolate aside to be cleaned later.

"You look tired." Louis commented.

"I am tired." Harry sighed. Harry's eyes were sunken in with dark bags, circling under them. His sclera was spiderwebbed with red lines. Louis had noticed Harry stifling yawns since he first saw him. His face was unshaven. Stubble was present all over his chin.

"Bad night's sleep?" Louis asked.

"Why do you care?" Harry hissed, suddenly feeling angry.

"I don't." Louis said, crossing his arms across his chest and pointing his nose into the air.

"Then why did you ask?" Harry shot back.

"Why do you always have to put me on the spot?" Louis retaliated. Harry did not have an answer for Louis. Louis smirked. "Well, the table have turned now."

Harry exhaled sharply. He returned to piping icing onto the cake. He tried to concentrate but he noticed that Louis had not left even though they were no longer talking. Harry disliked the uncomfortable silence so he decided to make conversation.

"How's Larry? Have you been taking good care of her?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, she's well taken care of. I think she's very happy living in the palace." Louis updated. He decided against telling Harry that he can talk to the cat.

"Is she still eating half of her tuna?" Harry asked, giggling.

"Always. She's a really fussy one." Louis remarked.

"Yeah." Harry sighed. "Is she here?"

"Yes." Louis confirmed.

"Can I see her when I knock off work?" Harry asked eagerly. He had not seen Larry in such a long time.

Louis bit his lip but nodded. He half-heartedly accepted Harry's request to meet with the cat.

"So, you work here now?" Louis asked.

"No. I snuck in so that I could bake someone a cake for no cost at all." Harry answered sarcastically.

"Should I call security then?" Louis responded, pretending to take his words literally. Both boys laughed.

"I'm the royal baker." Harry said.

"Why did you choose to work here?" Louis inquired.

"Well, working with my parents was not an option. Hmm... I wonder why?" Harry asked rhetorically.

"You know why." Louis muttered through clenched teeth.

"So anyways, my dad's sister's husband had a mine here. I ended up working as a miner. Not long after, mining became a dead trade in Vaelle. Nobody sets foot in the mines anymore, let alone dig into it." Harry elaborated.

Louis wanted to ask why everybody stopped mining in Vaelle but Harry moved on and Louis did not get a chance to ask.

Harry continued, "At some point, I reunited with Modeste and she helped me get employed. That's how I ended up baking for the king."

"So, Modeste knew you were here and didn't tell me." Louis mumbled.

Harry shrugged. He added a few final touches before announcing that the cake was finished.

"Excellent." Louis exclaimed, clapping his hands together.

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Hello

Why do you think nobody mines anymore?

Do you think Louis should've told Harry that he could speak to animals?

Please vote and comment. I'd appreciate it a lot. <3

Chapter is dedicated to Black_Butterflies_. I know how much you love your Oops' and Hi's. ;)