I shall continue the tale of our new adventure to France.
As the coast slipped away and the wind filled our sails, a familiar, large figure walked over and smiled. Wellington Broth, the Sea Merchant II cook.
"Good to see you, Lads. And who are these lovely ladies?"
Andelbert handled the introductions.
"This is Elise Boissonneau of Boissonneau Exports. And this is my wife, Maria."
"Wife? Well done, Andelbert. I am pleased to meet you both."
Both women returned the pleasantry.
"Andelbert, I expect you will be making bread for the crew? I tried following your instructions, but it is not the same."
"It would be my great pleasure, Broth."
Wellington slapped him on the back and said, "That's a good lad. You know your way to the kitchen."
"I do indeed. I will be there shortly."
That evening, the Grand Duke had a table and chairs brought out on deck. A linen cloth was placed over it, and fine china was set. He invited the four of us to join him and Captain Desmet for dinner. A full moon bathed us in light and sparkled off the seawater.
"How are you enjoying the voyage so far?" Goatbeard asked.
Maria was first to speak up. "It has been delightful. I hope every day is as pleasant as this one."
"May your hope brings us luck. The sea is a fickle mistress, but storms are less common this time of year. I think we will have relatively smooth sailing," Desmet said.
Goatbeard raised his cup and said, "To smooth sailing."
We all raised ours in kind and said, "Hear, hear."
Desmet turned his gaze my way and said, "I trust you won't be joining any pirate crews this time."
Andelbert and I both laughed.
"That is a safe wager," I replied.
Goatbeard raised his cup again and loudly spoke, "Hear, hear."
Everyone laughed.
The Grand Duke took a piece of bread and bit into it.
“My Heavens! This bread is astounding. I don’t recall Broth ever baking bread so flavorful.”
We all smiled, and Maria said, “Andelbert baked it. He is quite talented at baking bread.”
“My Dear. You only speak the half of it. He is a master. A genius. I have never tasted bread this good.”
He turned to Andelbert and said, “You must teach Baker Peel your secret so I may have a steady supply.”
“Felix taught me how to bake bread.”
“I have tasted his bread. It is good, but this is far better.”
“I am glad you enjoy it. I would be happy to bake you bread anytime.”
“I will hold you to that,” Goatbeard said.
After dinner, the table was taken away. Goatbeard and Desmet retired to their cabin. The four of us remained on deck, enjoying the gentle breeze and the moonlight. After a few minutes of silence, Maria began singing.
She sang a tale of a baker who baked bread so flavorful that it won the heart of a King. As a reward, the baker was given a title and land. The King grew increasingly fond of the baker and offered him the Princess's hand in marriage. One by one, all the male members of the royal family died off, leaving the Princess as the sole heir. She became Queen, and the baker became King.
We all grinned as the tale unfolded. When Maria finished, Andelbert said, "I may never become a King, but you are truly my Queen."
They embraced.
My heart ached for that kind love.