Almost like a Fairy Tale

“Well, this can’t be right,” Serina mumbled, her hands perching on her hips as she leaned in to inspect the cake. It had come out lopsided, the center was almost liquid, and… were those bits of eggshells?

Sighing, Serina straightened herself and stretched. She had a feeling this would be the outcome—she was a maid, not a cook—but she had hoped it wouldn't be this disastrous. Really, she should have known better.

Her head shot up when she heard the kitchen’s door open, relieved to see it was just Robin, one of the cooks in the palace. She was about Serina’s age and an amazing friend.

Robin froze in her tracks upon seeing the cake. “Well, it’s good to know your talents aren’t being squandered as a maid.”

Serina flustered. That was unfair! She could be a cook if she wanted to! But her eyes drifted back to chocolate disgrace, and all the defensiveness in her vanished, only to be replaced by despair. “It’s really bad, isn’t it?”

“Yup,” Robin replied as she poked it with a fork and recoiled.

“Ugh!” Serina buried her head in her hands as she slumped up against the wall. “What am I going to do?”

Robin’s eyebrow raised, looking Serina over. “You know you don’t have to do this, right? He’ll have his own banquet with a whole assortment of sweets.”

“I know. It’s just…” Serina trailed off. Of course she knew this was pointless. He had everything he ever wanted and so much more. But still, she wanted to give him something. Show him that she really, truly cared.

Robin’s face softened. “How ‘bout I help you whip up a new one?”

Serina’s head shot up. “Really? You’d do that?”

Laughing, Robin gently punched Serina in the arm, causing her to yelp. “Of course, dipshit! Now, throw that thing away before it starts moving.”

“Aww c’mon, it’s not that bad!” Serina protested, removing it from the table.

“Darling, if Alexei ate that, our kingdom would lose its heir.”

Serina scowled, trying to be insulted for her cake, but she was glad to see it drop into the trash can. The new cake took about thirty minutes to make—it was a simple round chocolate cake, but Robin did most of the work, much to Serina’s relief. Needless to say, it was a huge improvement.

“I feel like I didn’t do anything though.”

“Yes you did!” Robin responded, setting the cake on the table. “You handed me ingredients, you mixed the batter—”

“You took the bowl away from me,” Serina pointed out, placing her hands on her hips.

“Didn’t say you mixed it well. Here.” Robin handed her a bowl of chocolate frosting. “I still have to finish some of the entrées. But all that’s left is frosting the cake. It’s so simple, even you can’t mess it up.”

Serina grabbed some flour that was left over on the table and threw it at Robin, who let out a squeal. She then threw her arms around her friend. “I don’t even know how to thank you.”

“Just be careful, alright?”

Serina nodded as she backed away. Robin gave a quick thumbs up, then disappeared to the other side of the kitchen. Serina began to spread the frosting onto the cake. It was a simple task, yet she was still afraid she was going to make a mistake.

But the issue isn’t really with the cake, is it? Serina thought. It was just a cake, nothing major. If this one ended up a disaster as well, the world would go on spinning. And if she really thought about it, she knew Alexei’s opinion of her wouldn’t be lessened if there was one bad cake—though maybe the food poisoning itself would be a damper on the relationship.

It was the secrecy. It was knowing if they were to be found out, things could be catastrophic for them both—Serina especially. She didn’t doubt Alexei’s love for a moment, but it was hard not to wonder if it was the same intensity as her.

Her gaze drifted to the window. If the cake got messed up, the world would keep spinning for sure. Alexei’s world probably would, too. But would Serina’s?

The bowl slipped from her hands. Her attempts to grab it only succeeded in slamming it against the wall. Standing completely still, she tried to calm herself down. Maybe it’s not that bad. Slowly, she inched toward the bowl and lifted it up. Some of the frosting had gotten on the floor, and bits of wall flaked into what was left. Not much was salvageable, and she cursed herself as she scrubbed the floor. She wanted to chuck this cake into the trash as well, but she had neither the time nor the skill to make a third. The half frosted cake in front of her would have to do. She placed a lid over it and walked down the corridor to her room where she hid it in her trunk.

Serina hurried to the dining room where the banquet was to be held later that night. The cake took longer than expected, and she slipped into the room as quietly as she could.

Unfortunately, the head maid noticed.

“Where have you been, girl?” she barked, storming up to Serina.

“S-sorry, ma’am. I, uh, I overslept.”

Making an exasperated sound, the head maid raised her arms. “You incompetent— Ugh, it doesn’t matter. Just get to work.”

“Yes ma’am!” Serina did as she was told, but her mind kept wandering to the cake and the prince. Before she knew it, everything was in its place, and the banquet was to begin soon. A maid like her wasn’t allowed, of course. It was only for the royal family and their noble guests.

But she had the rest of the night off. Serina rushed back to her room as soon as she was able. The cake was still there in all its half frosted glory. She walked over to her wardrobe and pulled out her best dress—a simple light green gown with white embroidered flowers around the neckline and hem. She saved up for weeks to afford it, and it had been worth it. Even if others thought it was plain, she thought it was beautiful. And was all that really mattered, anyway. Besides, Serina thought, most of those expensive dresses are hideous. After she dressed, she brushed out her hair and pulled it into a bun. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she retrieved the cake and made her way through the servant corridors to the garden, stopping whenever she heard anyone walk by.

The air was warm, and the fragrance of flowers encased the area. Serina weaved through the flowerbeds of roses as she made her way to the maze, navigating it with ease. She had done it numerous times by this point, and knew the way by heart. The narrow paths opened to a fountain that laid in the center.

Almost like a fairy tale. She sat down on the edge of the fountain, looking up at the stars. The moon was bright, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It’s too bad it can’t last.

Serina knew her love was temporary as soon as she took the leap. Prince Alexei would have to marry someone of nobility, and she would go on being a maid.

Spotting something bright red in the corner of her eye, she turned her head to the gap in the hedges, a smile spreading across her face. A young man in a crimson frock coat was standing there, hands behind his back. His obsidian skin sparkled in the moonlight, his eyes shined like the night sky. The look on his face was that of pure excitement as his eyes landed on her, walking briskly to the fountain.

Serina stood up and threw her arms around Alexei. He pulled her in close, kissing the top of her head. “So, um…” she began, pulling away and picking up the cake. “I made this for you. It’s not very good, but…”

Alexei took the plate from her, his face brightening as he took off the cover. “You made this? Serina, that’s amazing!” His head tilted to the side. “Why is it only half frosted?”.

“I, uh, slapped the bowl into the wall.” Serina scratched the back of her head, heat rising to her face.

Alexei burst out laughing, which only made her blush more intense. “It’s perfect. Thank you.” His smile was soft, eyes kind. They sat down on the edge of the fountain, cake between them. “You brought forks, right?”

“Ah, darn, left them in my room.”

Alexei laughed again, rising from the fountain. “It’s alright, I can run back—”

Serina grabbed his arm. “I was joking,” she said, pulling two forks from her pocket. He laughed again, taking one from her hand. “Happy birthday, my love.”

“Thank you for making it one to remember.”

Serina cupped his face, bringing it closer to hers, and kissed him.

Eventually, her fairy tale would end. But she could still enjoy it before that time.