Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel by M.J. Haag

Has
business improved?”
    “Not really. But perhaps this order will
help.”
    “I think it will help both of us. I’ll be
honest, Edmund. After such a long enchantment, the estate
struggles. It isn’t what it once was, but Lord Ruhall is working
hard to bring it back. Part of those efforts includes the harvest
feast. It’s not for the gentry, but for the merchants and common
folk who depend on the estate.”
    “It feels as if you’re trying to sell me
something, Benella.”
    “In a way, I am. I’m trying to explain how
you’ll reach a larger market by baking for the harvest feast so
when I tell you we can only pay a single gold for two hundred
pastries, you won’t kick me out.”
    Edmund sighed and his shoulders slumped, but
he didn’t kick me out. “That barely covers the cost of the flour,
sugar, time to prepare—”
    “I can also provide you with double the
apples you’ll need so you can produce the same pastries after the
feast is over.” He still looked troubled. “And promise a portion of
next year’s hazelnuts?”
    His expression took on a speculative gleam.
I sat quietly and waited for him to think over the offer. I was
loath to part with a single gold piece but knew it only fair. If he
didn’t start receiving coin soon, there would be no baker in
Konrall.
    “You have a deal,” Edmund said, offering his
hand.
    I shook it with a grin, feeling quite
pleased with myself.
    Swiftly and I left the bakery, together,
after assuring Edmund I would keep him apprised of the progress of
the apple harvest. I only hoped that promising him double the
apples would leave enough for cider. If not, there was always
spring water.
    “He doesn’t seem to like you any better,”
Swiftly said softly, interrupting my thoughts.
    I followed his gaze and found Tennen
watching us.
    “His like or dislike is no bother to me,” I
said, looking away. “I’ve more important things to worry
about.”
    “The feast will be a welcome respite because
of your efforts,” he said.
    “I hope so.”
    We walked the rest of the way in silence. By
the time we returned, we’d missed the midday meal. As I went to the
kitchen for a quick bite, I heard a faint giggle. I walked slowly,
listening. In the dim hall, just before I reached the laundry, I
found a staircase leading up.
    “I must be the least observant person here,”
I said under my breath.
    At the top of the stairs, a hall led right
above the kitchen and left above the laundry and formal dining
room. Another faint peal of laughter came from the left.
    A door opened to a large room. Inside, the
children sat at small tables with the youngest in front and the
oldest in back. A weathered man, dressed in a neat, yet worn,
jacket decades out of fashion, wrote the letter D on the
blackboard. He caught sight of me when he turned to his
students.
    “Welcome. Students, please welcome Miss
Hovtel.”
    “Good afternoon, Miss Hovtel,” they said in
unison.
    “What manners,” I said with a smile.
    “Manners, letters, and numbers, Miss Hovtel.
I’ve found the letters and numbers do no good without manners.”
    I met the man’s steady gaze, and he bowed
slightly.
    “Mr. Roost, at your service. I believe the
last time I saw you, you were at the pond.”
    And, like that, I could see the resemblance
in his features to those that had twice adorned the tree.
    I smiled and gave a slight bow back.
    “Do you have the supplies you need to teach
this group?”
    “Oh yes. The previous student did not use
much of his supplies.”
    Alec had admitted to being a poor
student.
    “I’ll leave you to your class then. Good
afternoon children,” I said, moving toward the door.
    After leaving the schoolroom, I went to tell
Father about my deal with Edmund.
    Father sat at his desk, busily penning a
letter. From the study, I heard a similar faint scratch of ink on
parchment.
    “Ah, Bini,” Father said, looking up as he
heard me enter. “How is the progress in the parlor today?”
    “The second