“Ouch!” Sir Lewis cursed under his breath as he sucked on his bleeding thumb.

“You’re really terrible with knife handling.” Sir Taylor observed while continuing to peel the ruby apples slowly. It was another warm lazy day out in the shade, with the usual insurmountable pile of food bowls mixed among the peel buckets the groundskeepers supplied them with, as the waste would later be fed to the animals.

“I am not! I just get bored with doing this day in day out.” He snapped.

Hannah wordlessly offered a clean handkerchief, and the Knight snatched it rudely from her to quench the bleeding.

Since she had confronted the King regarding their behavior, the men had decided that pointedly ignoring her was the best method, except when she specifically addressed them to do a job.

“You should kiss it better.” Sir Andrews jeered.

Hannah froze. She knew the tentative peace would be tested at some point, Fin had warned her as much, and she steeled herself for the response. Peter had excused himself to relieve his intestines of breakfast, and it was up to her to say something.

“I don’t like it when you say those things to me. A ‘thank you’ will suffice.” She turned back to the apples and continued peeling them.

The other two Knights had fallen silent, but Sir Andrews was in as fowl a mood as ever.

“We’re your betters, we don’t need to treat you like some bloody fancy Lady.”

“Why do it if I don’t like it?” Hannah’s cheeks were red, and her hands had started shaking again.

“We’ll treat you as we see fit!”

“You didn’t answer my question! Why?”

Sir Andrews glanced at his fellow Knights for help, only to see them watching the outburst stunned.

“Why?! Look at you! You’re asking for it looking like that.”

“But I’m not asking for ‘it’! I’m asking for ‘it’ to stop! I can’t help how I look!” Her eyes were growing increasingly moist.

“Well you need to lighten up, it’s funny.”

“It’s only f-funny if everyone thinks so! Otherwise it’s just m-mean!” Tears had started rolling down Hannah’s face, and she hated them. She hated how she was gasping and her hands were shaking.

She turned and fled.

Sir Andrews faced back towards the bowl of vegetables, and after a small snort, kicked it over.

When he glanced back to stare after Hannah’s backside running off, he instead got a face full of Peter whom had appeared out of nowhere, and had then had grabbed him by the front of his leather vest, and wrenched him with surprising strength up so that they were nose to nose.

“Unhand me! You think-”

“SHUT UP!” The roar that came from the normally near mute man rattled the Knight to his core, and he promptly closed his mouth, though Sir Lewis and Taylor both stood up prepared to help him.

“What if I give you a kiss hm?” Peter kissed Sir Andrews’ lips roughly, before jerking himself away. “What if I grab your bottom?” he released Sir Andrews and snatched his right butt cheek.

“How firm. You must be asking for my attention with tasty buns like these. Fresh out of the oven!”

The Knight stumbled back horrified, while Peter looked infuriated to the point of appearing frighteningly deranged.

“There. Wasn’t that funny?”

“Y-You can’t treat me that way I am-”

“YOU ARE UNDER MY COMMAND AS ORDERED BY THE CAPTAIN AND HIS MAJESTY!”

Sir Andrews shrank back.

“A man doesn’t make good people cry and feel powerless! He doesn’t bully those without authority! He defends these people. He is not their enemy he is their ally! If you terrify that poor girl and make her cry, WHICH DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?”

Sir Andrews had stumbled back, and tripped over another bowl of vegetables. Landing hard on his recently groped bottom, he continued to try and scoot away while Peter lorded over him.

Sir Taylor and Lewis came, and stood beside their friend whom remained on the ground, but they made no move to help him up. They only came to stop Peter advancing.

“I suggest you Sirs consider your past behaviors and ways of thinking far more seriously.” He glanced briefly at all three of them, the fire still burning brightly in his eyes.

“Sir Andrews if you do not apologize to Hannah on your knees, begging for forgiveness before the dinner dishes are cleared, I will report you to Finlay Ashowan, who will in turn decide whether to report you to Captain Antonio or his majesty for violating their orders.” Peter gave the man one last withering look before turning on his heel, and following Hannah.

Sir Andrews scrambled to his feet, his face still white as a sheet as he glanced briefly between his two friends.

“I did not know Peter of all people could be terrifying. Where the hell did he even come from?!”

“He’s intimidating, but I still say Finlay is far more frightening.” Sir Taylor shuddered.

“I think we can all agree that all the kitchen staff are a little insane.” Sir Lewis pointed out giving his head a small shake.

All three Knights nodded, and then glanced at all the work they had left themselves with.

“Son of a-”

*

Fin stared at the three sets of eyes that watched him uncomfortably closely as he sliced the dough on his table into several thin strips precisely.

In the three tall chairs sat; The Queen, Mr. Howard, and Eric.

Each had a conundrum that day.

The Queen had just learned that she had eaten the remainder of the kimchi, and they were waiting on the fresh batch to finish fermenting over the next few days. In the mean time, Fin was having her try different dishes to see if the babe would accept them.

Eric was trying to decide how he wanted to celebrate his birthday, caught between wanting to throw a ball, or to stick with the luncheon that was customary of young nobility.

The most surprising of the guests however, was Mr. Howard, whom sat with his arms folded stubbornly across his chest, determined in his mission to prove Fin wrong regarding what he was craving.

The Queen made a face as she placed down the seasoned scrambled eggs.

“Alright, no eggs.” Fin nodded and shifted the plate to Eric whom was happy to dig in.

“Eric why do you want a ball?” The cook asked with a genuinely curious tone.

“Well… I feel like luncheons are for little kids, and I’m going to be eight this year!” He explained patiently. “But, I would have to start learning dancing.” He made a face as the cook placed a plate of steamed broccoli down in front of the Queen.

“Eric we have put off you learning how to dance for-” The Queen’s face turned a tragic shade of olive green, and she bolted in an unladylike fashion for the garden door immediately.

Fin shifted the plate of broccoli from her spot over to Mr. Howard.

“Ha! I am not craving this at all!” He brandished his finger at the cook.

“Of course you aren’t. You are always craving cheese and bread. Sometimes blueberries. Wine if you’re stressed. You’re going to eat this however because it’s good for you, and I hate to waste food.”

Fin resumed his work as Eric stuck his tongue out at the King’s assistance before beginning to slip his fork into the golden eggs that had been seasoned with garlic and dill.

The man deftly swapped the plates before Eric could get a bite in.

“Hey!” The prince turned and scowled, but when he saw Mr. Howard’s bitter expression, burst out giggling. “Fine, you look like you need them more than I do.”

Fin shot Eric a wink as he continued slicing another sheet of thin dough.

When the Queen returned to her seat, Fin had a cup of ginger peppermint tea awaiting her that had been sweetened with honey.” She sipped it, and the cook watched satisfied when color returned to her face.

“Why is it you cannot guess what the Queen is craving?” Mr. Howard sneered between mouthfuls of the best egg he had ever eaten.

“Because the babe doesn’t know what it likes yet.”

At this, the Queen froze, the cup of tea frozen at her lips.

She slowly lowered it back down to the table with her eyes round as saucers.

“Do you mean to say, that you can… sense the babe?” Her voice was a whisper, and Mr. Howard suddenly paled.

“I—uh— a little. It’s probably different than what you think. This hunch of mine… I sense what others are craving as I focus on them, and I get a gist of their overall well-being and, somehow crave what they crave for a moment. Does that make sense?”

“Not at all.” Mr. Howard snapped indignantly.

The Queen gave no indication of her own thoughts, but the way she was staring at Finlay made him continue.

“I can tell your majesty is craving meat. You want beef specifically. I will next have you try a dumpling soup that I normally only make in winter, but I think the fluids would be good for you. Your child, I believe, is the one to crave kimchi. A little bit of spice and tang.”

“How can you discern between the two?” Mr. Howard demanded.

“One is quieter. A smaller feeling. Given how much the Queen has been devouring kimchi however, I believe that it would feel much bigger if it were solely her own. The two aren’t separate, and yet they are. One feeds the other as they work together, but trying to maintain a balance can be tough.”

Mr. Howard rolled his eyes, yet for some reason the Queen started weeping.

“Your highness! I am so sorry if I have said something to offend you! Honestly this stuff is just old wives tales, it just works for me.” Fin rushed making it up, as Eric casually leapt down from his seat, and walked over to his mom whom immediately was on her knees hugging him.

Eric looked up cheerfully at the two men whom were both on their feet in a panic.

“Mom just cries more these days. She’s fine!”

Both men stared at each other, then back at the Queen uncertain of whether or not to summon the physician or the King…

After a moment of quiet sobs, the Queen stood straight with the prince holding her hand at her side.

“I apologize for my show of emotions-, I am not myself as of late. I am alright, I just am at times overcome with…” She cleared her throat slightly embarrassed.

“Eric, you and I shall discuss the idea of a ball with your father this evening. Cook Finlay, thank you for your diligence and consideration for my condition. Mr. Howard, good day to you.” Fin bowed, as did Mr. Howard as the mother and son left, leaving Fin alone with the assistant.

“You had to spout that nonsense.” The man began rubbing his eyes wearily.

“What did I say?”

“The Queen has had many pregnancies, and only one child lives, you do the math.”

Fin’s cheeks burned. He had forgotten what Lady Jenoure had told him, and felt like a massive fool.

“Don’t worry about it for now. Her majesty is a kind and good soul. Strong and resilient… She truly never cried before this pregnancy. Aside from times of mourning of course, but otherwise, she is always composed.” The respect the man had for his King’s wife was admirable.

“They are good people.” Fin added on simply.

“They are the best.” Mr. Howard sighed again, and reached over to the plate of broccoli. “Sadly, even you cannot make this vegetable palatable.”

Fin snorted. He snatched back the plate, lathered the vegetable with butter, added salt, pepper, and scraped a dusting of parmesan cheese over the florets, then planted it back down on the table.

Mr. Howard glanced dubiously down at the altered dish, and tentatively speared one into his mouth.

The man’s shoulders visibly relaxed.

“At last! Healthy food tastes right.”

“With the amount of butter and cheese on there, it is no where near healthy, but at least it isn’t wasted.”

Mr. Howard glowered, but still cleaned his plate. He never had to wonder why he was no longer considered the most annoying man in the castle.

Finlay Ashowan had made it perfectly clear for everyone.

The cook had nearly finished slicing the sheet of dough on his table, when through the open garden door, he saw Hannah being hugged by Peter. Frowning, Fin slowly rounded the table, and walked over to the door. He couldn’t hear what was being said from where he stood, but froze when he watched Sir Andrews strolling towards his other aides.

The Knight looked resigned, his blonde head hanging slightly lower, his shoulders hunched, and his hands in his pockets.

Peter released Hannah, and as she turned her tear stained face towards the man, whom had arrived in front of them, wordlessly fell to his knees, his hands still in his pockets.

Fin leaned against the doorframe, and folded his arms across his chest, as Kraken stepped beside him and sat at attention.

The witch couldn’t hear what was being said, but he watched Hannah cross her arms over her chest, and said only a few words.

By the end of the exchange, Fin locked eyes with Peter, and the man gave him a short nod, which the cook returned in understanding.

He made his way back to his work at the table.

“What was that about?” Mr. Howard questioned as he poured himself a glass of red wine.

“Just some personnel matters.”

The assistant rolled his eyes as Fin snatched the bottle off the table, then a wooden goblet from the ledge, and poured himself a glass.

“Is it common for you to drink on the job?” Mr. Howard guffawed as he crossed his legs and sipped from his own goblet.

“It is when you’re in my kitchen.”

The assistant glared.

“I don’t like you.”

“Then get out of my workplace.” Fin replied dryly as he returned to his work.

“You know what I’m craving right now?”

“You’re going to be craving some new ankles for yourself if you don’t make yourself scarce.”

“New ankles? Why in the world would I-” Kraken suddenly leapt up and latched onto Mr. Howard’s ankles using his claws and teeth. While not drawing blood, the fast growing kitten easily broke some skin.

With a yelp the man leapt up shaking off the cat.

“Did you train him to do that?!” He demanded outraged.

“He’s a cat. You really think I can make him do anything?”

Mr. Howard’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m going to be paying close attention to you Mr. Ashowan.”

Fin looked up with a flat expression.

“Pay closer attention to your job. If you bother me I will serve everything but what you crave at all meal times.”

The look of horror on the man’s face nearly made the witch laugh.

“Excellent, now that we understand each other, goodbye.”

As Mr. Howard began storming out of the room, the assistant suddenly paused.

“Oh yes. The reason I came down here to begin with was because Lord Fuks is gifting you a window as thanks for helping him.”

“A window?” Fin blinked in confusion as he stared at Mr. Howard whom did not look in any way pleased.

“Yes. One that opens.”

Fin’s jaw dropped.

The world suddenly became a bright and beautiful place... and that bright beautiful place would soon have a breeze in the normally stifling kitchen the witch called home.