Lana's POV:

"Oh! Hansel! Gretal! Thank goodness!" Mrs. Rosie sighs in relief as she gathers her children in her arms. Holding them close and tight as if they might disapper if she lets them go.

"Mom!" Hansel whines, "We're okay! You can let us go now!"

I smiled, "Come on now Hansel your mom was worried to death! You've been missing for an entire day!"

I look up to the sky. I remember it was only noon, the sun was shining down on us when we went into the woods. And now it seems to be seven oclock as the sun slowly goes down and turns the sky into a mix of red and orange. Somehow time went fast while we were away.

"Thank you Princess," Mrs. Rosie says, still holding her children. "And thank you Zale. You come by in the morning and there will be a batch of cinnamon rolls waiting for you as a thank you." She smiles, "Now you two better head home its getting late and Im sure your parents are worried about you."

My eyes widen, "And you are right! Come on Zale! They're going to kill me!" I grab his hand and started to run.

"Shoot! Shoot!" I say, "I'm dead. I'm dead! I am so dead!"

I hear Zale chuckle and I take a glance at him slowing down a little but still running. "What are you laughing about? I am dead!"

He shakes his head, "I'm sure they'll understand when they hear your explanation.  I mean you did saved two kids from being eaten by a cannibal."

I smile, "Well I couldn't have done it without you. Now come on!" I pull him along and continue running.

We race to the castle. Dodging past castle town people who scurried out of the way. Soon we were running up the steps and burst through the doors.

And there was mom and dad pacing back and forth with worry etched onto both of their faces.

"Did she said where she was going?" Mom asks him. They still haven't seen us.

Dad runs his hand down his face, "No I don't think so. I- I can't remember. I'll send guards to castle town."

Before things could get out of hand. I spoke up, "No need to. We're back!"

They both look up quickly at the sound of my voice. Mom sighs, "Lana! Where have you been?!"

I give them a reasurring smile, "I'm fine mom, dad. Zale and I had to find Hansel and Gretal in the woods. They wonder off alittle too far and Mrs. Rosie was getting worried. I am so sorry for worrying you both. If I'd known we've be gone so long of course I would've told you where we were."

Mom sighs, "Well we're both glad you both are home safetly. See honey? I told you they were fine!" She rests a hand on dad's arm.

"Still you should've told us where you were going before you left castle grounds!" Dad says with a sterness in his voice.

I frown, "Whats wrong dad? You know I always go into castle town. Is something the matter?" I ask. I never seen dad so worried before.

Before he could say anything mom hushes him, "Everything is fine, sweetie, your father is just a big worry wart." She smiles, "Oh! And since you both missed dinner you should go to the kitchen and eat something. We'll see you two tomorrow, don't stay up too late now."

She smiles and leads dad away who had his eyes narrow at us. I grab Zales hand again and lead him to a door at the right side of the room and enter the dining room.

The table was cleaned of plates, but a servant was still cleaning. She nods as we pass her and went through another door that lead to the kitchen.

The kitchen was being clean by two servants and the chef was paging through a recipe book.

"Hey Chef Louie!" I smil to the famous chef in the castle. Well. Actually our only chef in the castle.

Chef Louie smiles, "Good evening princess! What brings you here?"

I gestured to Zale, "My friend here needs to try your strawberry tarts! Have you made any?"

Chef Louie nods, "Yes, your highness! Here take as many as your want." He pushes a plate of square shape tarts with frosting, "Just don't tell your mother. She's still alittle sore at me for trying to cook her crabby friend."

I take the plate and nod, "Don't worry I won't. Thanks Louie!" I turn around and took a seat at the wooden table fill with plates.

"So lets see if these strawberry tarts are as good as you say they are." Says Zale as he pick one up, "But they aren't going to be good as good as Mrs. Rosie's cinnamon rolls." He whispers as he take a bite of the tart.

I watch him as I take a bite of my tart. I taste the sweet strawberries that were inside the tart. Mixing with the crust.

His eyes stay the same, but I see them light with interest as he chews.

"So?" I ask, eager to know his thoughts.

He nods and swallows, "Pretty good." He then grabs another tart, "But not as good as the cinnamon rolls like I said."

I roll my eyes, "Ah you don't know anything!" 

He smiles, "You're going to give me cavities!" He says holding up a third strawberry tart.

I laugh, "I better take these away before you get sick. You're not suppose to eat this late anyway." I pull the plate away from him, but he grabs the plate.

"Hang on I'm not finished yet!" He grabs the plate and pulls it far away from my reach.

"You can't eat that many sweets in one day! Im surprise you haven't complain of a stomach ache yet!" I say with sterness, but I couldn't help, but to smile.

He smirks, "I have a good immune system thankfully."

I sigh as I settle back on to my seat, "Fine, but it's your funeral."

He laughs, "They are good, what else do you have here? I should probably eat something else besides sweets."

I turn to Chef Louie, "Chef do you have any leftovers from dinner?"

He nods, "Right over there your highness." He points to the end of the table, "I made fried calamari today and I do think there are enough pieces for you and your friend."

I get up and head to a large plate fill with crispy tentacles with limes on the side of the plate. I take several pieces of them and place on small plates with two limes.

"Here you go," I said to Zale as I set his plate down in front of him.

He looks at the the fried calamari and picks up a fried crispy tentacle, "What is this?" He asks before he takes a bite.

"Its fried calamari. Squid basically." I answer as I take a bite of mine.

He freezes and his eyes widen in shock. "Did you said... Squid?" He asks. He doesn't swallow.

"Yeah, good huh?" I ask.

"Gah," he spits the squid out and shakes his head, gagging. "You eat fish?!" He asks in disbelief.

I held back a smile at his face, "Yeahh, weird I know, but they're good! Just don't tell your family that."

He huffs, "Oh I won't. If my mom found out I ate a squid she will disown me!"

"What are you vegetarian?"

He shakes his head, "Pfft, no! I can't give up meat, but I don't really eat squid or octopus." He pushes the plate aside. I see his hand go to his stomach, "I think I'm gonna be sick..." He says as he quickly stands up and heads to a window and leans out, I hear him throwing up and I grimance.

I go to his side with my hands on my hips, "See? I told you shouldn't eat so much sweets! Didn't your mom ever tell you eating sweets before dinner ruins your appetite?"

He spits before he leans back with a sigh, "Uh nope!" He chuckles but without humor, "Well I'm going to retire now. This day has really taken alot out of me." He smiles, "But I had a great time."

I smile, "Me too. Well I'll see you tomorrow Zale."

"Good night Lana." He says with a twinkle in his eyes.

And I don't know if it was in my head or not, but I swear I felt my heart flutter when he said my name. It sounds so right! I blush and turn away quickly hoping he didn't see.

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