Chapter 11

The following days of the hunt are uneventful and on the final day, I can't wait to return home so I can finally open the bakery. With the promise of the bakery being completed according to my design, I travel to town with Tess.

My heart warms up with happiness as I stare up at the building. "Sweet Bakery". I spent a lot of money creating the layout of the whole bakery. The workers whom I have employed to help me are waiting inside. Smiling, I step in and find myself showered with colourful strings and confetti in celebration of the opening.

"Welcome to Sweet Bakery Lady Beatrice!" They chorus together as I glance around. The counter is the perfect height for me and they have set up tables and chairs here for customers who want to eat inside. There are flowers on each table.

"Thank you." I smile, "Let's all work hard together from now on. Please take care of me."

They all nod as I move on to the back where the kitchen is. There is a huge oven which will be useful for baking many things at the same time. The worktop is marble and goes all the way around the kitchen so there is enough space for many of us to bake together. There are also many cupboards and drawers containing the utensils, various dishes and ingredients. The fridge has three doors with a large storage capacity inside.

Even in this world, money is the key to everything.

"When will you start business?" Tess asks as she looks around.

"Tomorrow." I smile.

She gapes at me, "So soon My Lady?"

"The earlier I open, the quicker our popularity will rise and our profits will increase." And the quicker I can become independent and survive without worrying about being killed.

"That's great!" Tess exclaims, clapping her hands together. "I'll let Sir Stuart know."

"You're going to tell my father?" I ask with raised eyebrows. Is she a spy for him?

"Sir Stuart has been asking about your bakery. He seems interested in seeing your business." Tess explains.

Father probably thought I wouldn't be able to even open a bakery, let alone start a business. I grin. I will definitely fulfil my dream and show him that I can work too.

"Lady Beatrice, someone is here for you." A worker says. Curiously, I follow him out to the front of the bakery. Who could it be?

The brown hair and back is familiar making me smile, "Master Francis?"

Slowly turning around, he holds out a bouquet of red roses. "Congratulations on the opening Lady Beatrice."

Blushing from all the eyes watching us, I slowly take the bouquet from him and smile as the fresh scent of roses fills my nostrils, "Thank you Sir Francis."

This is the first time I have been given such a big bouquet of flowers. Even my ex-boyfriend in my past life never brought me such a big one.

***

After the opening celebration, it takes a day or two for the business to flourish and attract a slow stream of customers. Since we are in the middle of town, we receive more customers than we would if we were located elsewhere.

I stick up a poster on the window for job vacancies. So far, I have ten employees but if I want the bakery to become popular, I will have to think a step ahead and recruit more hands. Working hours are from 9am to 7pm so I spend most of my days there. Ten hours are split into five for the employees who work in rotating shifts which I assigned.

Although I am exhausted by the end of the day, I don't regret working hard because I have hope of increasing our sales and customers. If I can make my business flourish, I will be independent enough to break away from the Hatter family. When I return home, I fall asleep as soon as I step into my room.

Saturdays are days where I eagerly meet Francis Tag and learn sword fighting techniques. At first, I was hesitant at handling the sword but I have built my confidence with the help of my Master Francis and now I can handle and fight pretty well. According to Francis, I have the talent to become a swords-woman.

Francis has also aided me in controlling my spiritual energy and fire magic which somehow appeared within Beatrice's body after I came into this world. Of course Francis doesn't know the truth but he said Beatrice's power must have been subconsciously sealed for the past years.

My sword training is a secret from my father. I know he would disapprove of it, especially if he found out the reason why I am learning. I haven't really met Laurent Bunter since the hunting but I do see him visit Bella sometimes. Matilda always complains about those two being so close when he is someone Beatrice loves. I correct her each time she mentions it that I have no such feelings for him anymore. Both Tess and Matilda don't believe me but I could care less who that player hooks up with.

It pisses me off every time I think about how I should have just let him be killed that day. I was stupid for saving him. I even wounded my shoulder to protect that jerk.

"Two cinnamon buns please." The customer says and I write it down without looking up. It's been another busy day at the bakery again today.

"Please take a seat whilst we take them freshly out of the oven." I smile as I glance up. My eyes widen and my mouth gapes. What bad luck! "You! What are you doing here?!"