Chapter 18:

The queue outside the bakery had already formed before Serys even opened, stretching so far that it caused a sluggish procession of carriages and merchants at Eldoria's south gate.

Almost everyone clamored to buy in bulk, but since she couldn't bake fast enough to meet their demands, she limited purchases to six pieces per person. Despite the rush, familiar faces had also chosen to enjoy their breakfast at her bakery.

"I had a lovely time, son," Queen Danara said warmly as she sipped her tea, enjoying the morning bustle.

"Thanks for coming, Mother. But next time, please stop listening to Heena and just let me know ahead of time so I can prepare for your visit. Do we have an agreement?" Gress asked, half-pleading.

"I didn't want to be a burden. And I know how much you wanted to focus on your parade," the Queen explained.

"You're not a burden, Mother. I always want you to have the best time. So in the future, just let me know, alright?" Gress assured her, reaching for her hand.

At another table, Rieze found himself having a similar conversation with his parents.

"Thank Serys for us. She gave us a few loaves for the trip," his mother told him.

"We had such a nice time, son," his father added, grinning. "Tell Serys to hire me next time. I had fun helping out and even learned a few recipes from your young bartender—I'm thinking of adding them to our inn's menu."

Serys took a short break to check on her own family.

"How's breakfast?" she asked, leaning against their table.

"It's lovely. I didn't think you had it in you," her father teased.

"What do you mean? You know I've always wanted my own bakery," she huffed, scrunching her nose.

"You never helped at our bakery, remember?" Keyn, her brother, pointed out with a smirk.

"You're mean! Anyway, are you not considering adventuring, Keyn?"

"I don't know yet. I can't decide whether to work at the bakery or follow in your footsteps," he admitted, glancing at their parents.

"Don't think about us," their mother said gently. "Think about your future. Your father and I will always be where you left us—at home. And you can always come back when it feels right."

"Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Mum," Keyn said, nodding.

"My two associates will take over in an hour," Serys added. "Then I'll walk with you to the south gate."

"Don't bother! We'll be fine, and besides, we're traveling with the Queen," her father chuckled.

"It's okay, I want to!" she insisted. "Just take your time and eat as much as you can—you've got two days of travel ahead."

Serys returned to the kitchen, working alongside her part-timers until Iona and Ronan arrived to take over. Once her shift ended, she joined Gress and Rieze to help pack their families' caravans.

"You really splurged, Mother!" Gress said, eyeing the chests of souvenirs and festival goods being loaded onto the Queen's carriage.

Rieze, too, looked pleased as he helped his father secure crates filled with new supplies for their inn.

"The plan is to stay at Mr. and Mrs. Crestfall's inn for the night, then continue on to Waldreich in the morning," Serys's father explained. "We should reach home just after sunset. Queen Danara has offered us two of her guards for the journey, so all should be dandy."

"Take care on the road," Serys reminded him. "I know you like to chat with strangers, but don't let it delay your travels."

Her father laughed. "I'll behave."

Her mother tucked a loose strand of Serys's hair behind her ear. "Take care of yourself, dear. Don't skip meals and get enough rest. We'll see you in winter?"

"Yes, Mum. I'll see you at solstice," she promised.

Keyn pulled her into a hug. "Take care, you."

"You don't have to be an adventurer like me," she reminded him.

"I know."

As the last of the carriages rolled away, Serys and the other adventurers stood watching their families disappear into the horizon.

It was a bittersweet moment, but such was the life of an adventurer. You leave the place where you spent your childhood, risking everything for fame, fortune, or glory. But once a quest is turned in, and when the time comes to hang up your sword, bow, or staff, you are all you have left. The life of an adventurer can be lonely, and not all quests are meant to be undertaken alone.

That was why they sought companions—not just allies, but people who would stand by them through victories and defeats. Family wasn't always bound by blood; it was found in shared experiences, in trust forged over time.

Serys took a deep breath and turned back toward the bakery. The air was thick with the lingering joy of the festival and the quiet ache of farewells.

As the last of the caravans disappeared beyond the horizon, the crowd at the south gate slowly thinned, leaving only adventurers and merchants lingering to exchange farewells. Serys remained for a moment, watching the dust settle in the wake of her departing family. The familiar ache of parting tugged at her chest, but she took a steady breath and squared her shoulders.

She turned to Gress and Rieze, who stood beside her in contemplative silence. "Come on, we should head back," she said, nudging Rieze lightly. "I have a bakery to run, and you both have no excuse to stand around looking like lost puppies."

Gress scoffed, crossing his arms. "Lost puppy? I'm just relieved my mother isn't here buying half the kingdom. Did you see the number of trunks she packed?"

Rieze chuckled. "And I'm still wondering if my father will actually try making those recipes or if he'll get distracted and decide to bribe a cook instead."

Serys smirked as they started walking back through the bustling streets of Eldoria. The festival banners still rippled in the breeze, though a few vendors had already begun dismantling their stalls. The scent of spiced cider and roasted nuts lingered in the air, mingling with the ever-present aroma of baked bread from her shop. The city was slowly returning to its usual rhythm—still lively, still brimming with stories, but missing the warmth of visiting families.

By the time they reached the bakery, the familiar chaos greeted them. The bell above the door jingled, and Serys barely had time to step inside before Iona, her now flour-dusted assistant, called out, "Took you long enough! We've been fending off customers like a pack of wolves."

At the counter, Ronan was handling a particularly insistent customer, a dwarven merchant waving a pouch heavy with coins. "Nine loaves and no less!" the merchant demanded.

"We have a limit, sir," Ronan replied, maintaining his composure. "And I doubt Lady Serys will make an exception, no matter how full your purse is."

Serys sighed, stepping behind the counter. "He's right. I can't have people hoarding everything before others get a chance." She met the dwarf's stern gaze and added with a knowing smile, "But if you're looking for something special, I might have a few honeyed oat rolls left. Just for you."

The dwarf grumbled but accepted the compromise, placing his order before moving aside for the next customer.

Gress leaned against the counter, watching the exchange with mild amusement. "You're a natural at this, you know."

"I have to be," Serys replied, already tying her apron. "Now, are you two going to keep loitering, or will you make yourselves useful?"

Rieze held up his hands. "I know better than to get in your way when you're in work mode."

Gress chuckled. "Same. But if you ever need an official food taster, I volunteer."

Serys rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest spread. The ache of goodbye still lingered, but the bakery was alive, filled with friends, laughter, and the comforting scent of freshly baked bread.

This was home.

For now, that was enough.