The Sweet Queen

   When Aurora dragged her cart to the city gate, the sun had just risen. Before the gate stood knights in shining armor, their metal glinting in the sunlight. As she entered the city, she heard the usual market sounds: merchants shouting, the smell of vegetables, the steam of freshly baked bread… But near her stall, a completely different scene unfolded. People had gathered, shouting: “Lady, I ordered ten yesterday, are they ready?” “I bought a few yesterday, I need more today!” “I’ll pay double, give me first!”—a wealthy man waved silver coins. “Fairness! We’ve been in line since morning!”—women argued. Aurora raised her hand, calling for calm: “Ladies and gentlemen, don’t worry. There’s enough for everyone. Money doesn’t matter, the order of the line does!” At that moment, someone watched from the edge of the market. It was Lord Fenriel’s palace chef. He went to the market every morning, buying milk for aristocratic orders. Today, as usual, he noticed an unexpected scene. He had never seen such a crowd for milk, bread, or wine…

  “What wonder is this?” he thought, and approached Aurora. He thought, “If the Lord sees this, he’ll surely take notice. Sweet or magic, it doesn’t matter. He won’t ignore it.” The chef approached Aurora: “Make way! Before you stands Lord Fenriel’s head chef!” he said firmly. The buyers reluctantly stepped back, unable to oppose the Lord’s rank. The chef turned to Aurora: “I see a crowd here. Tell me, what are you selling?” A wealthy man in line muttered: “She’s here for fun… wasting our time,” he told his companion. Aurora smiled politely: “This is a sweet called chocolate,” she said. The chef pondered. “Chocolate, you say? Judging by this line, it must be something extraordinary. May I try it?” “Of course, sir,” Aurora offered a slice. When the chef tasted it, his eyes lit up. “What a captivating flavor! I’ve tried many sweets, but never felt this. I must bring this to Lord Fenriel,” he thought. “Wrap two pieces for me,” he said. Aurora handed him the chocolates, and he hurried toward the palace. Meanwhile, at Fenriel’s palace, breakfast preparations were in full swing. Servants rushed to set milk, bread, fruits, and wine on the table, waiting for the Lord and his family. When the table was ready, a tall, broad-shouldered man with neatly trimmed brown hair, golden eyes, and clothes adorned with gold entered. This was Lord Fenriel of Grey City. As he sat and reached for a spoon, the chef’s introduction startled Aurora. The thought of being summoned from selling simple sweets at the market to the palace made her heart race. Nervous and slightly afraid, she followed the chef to the marble columns of the gleaming palace. When the tall doors opened, she saw a symbol of wealth and order: silent servants on the marble floor, gilded chandeliers, and expensive tapestries in every corner. “Lord Fenriel, I’ve brought the sweet seller,” the chef said with a bow. “Very well, you’re dismissed,” Fenriel replied coldly. As the servant left, Fenriel stood slightly and gestured Aurora to sit. “Please, sit, lady.” Aurora, self-conscious in her simple dress, seated herself on the luxurious sofa, clasping her hands and glancing around. “I have never tasted your sweet before,” the Lord began. “Such a flavor doesn’t exist even in neighboring kingdoms. Tell me, where did you get this?” Aurora froze. Moris’s warning echoed: never reveal the secret. She thought for a moment, then spoke confidently: “Lord, I did not get this from anyone. I found special beans in the forest. I liked the aroma, so I boiled them with sugar. That’s how this sweet came to be,” she said. Fenriel’s eyes sparkled. Inside, he thought,

 “This is pure wonder! If I fund this, my prestige grows, and I even gain favor with the royal family. I must not lose this girl. If someone else seizes the opportunity, I’ll miss out!” “Lady, I have a proposal for you,” he said, smiling slyly. “I will sponsor your business. I will provide a workshop and a shop. But one condition: you will never reveal the secret of making this sweet. What do you say?” Aurora’s heart pounded. “Moris told me to share knowledge with people… If I refuse, I might offend the Lord. If I accept, I go against Moris… What should I do?” “I wasn’t expecting such an offer. May I think about it?” she asked carefully. “Of course, give me your answer tomorrow,” Fenriel nodded politely. He waved his hand and had a bag placed on the table. “Consider this your first profit. I’ll buy all your current sweets for one hundred gold coins.” Aurora was stunned. “This… this is too much… I only sold one chocolate for two bronze coins.” “Do not worry. Consider this my first sponsorship,” the Lord said with a cold smile—this was not kindness, but a way to persuade her to work with him through wealth. Feeling the weight of gold in her hands, Aurora couldn’t hide her joy and hurried out of the palace. That night, she found Moris and, catching her breath, said: “Can you believe it?! The Lord bought all my sweets for one hundred gold coins! One hundred gold coins equal two hundred thousand bronze coins. This could feed a village. I’ve never seen so much money! But he wants to be a sponsor. One condition: never reveal the making process. And you said to share knowledge… What should I do?” Moris simply smiled. “I expected this. Aristocrats only care about their prestige and profit.” He looked at Aurora, signaling her to accept the offer. Aurora hesitated. Moris said, “If your status rises, you can become an aristocrat. Don’t you need aristocrats who understand the people now?” Aurora asked Moris, “Why do you want me, not yourself, to be the aristocrat? Who are you anyway?” Moris fell silent. Then he took a deep breath and looked her straight in the eyes. “Aurora… I must tell you the truth. I am not a traveler. I am a criminal seeking the kingdom, known among the people as the ‘Night Mist.’ I apologize for hiding this from you.” Aurora flinched but was not afraid. “No matter who you are, you gave me valuable knowledge. I am indebted to you, Moris. Now it’s my turn to help,” she said calmly. Warmth filled Moris’s heart. Her words assured him he had found a companion. After consulting with Moris, Aurora went to Lord Fenriel and informed him that she accepted his offer. Fenriel’s joy overflowed. He immediately mobilized workers to build a special workshop. A new shop arose on one of the city’s main streets. Soon, the bright sign reading “Aurora’s World of Sweets” became a favorite among the townspeople. The day the shop opened was a celebration. People who tasted the sweets once returned repeatedly. Long lines appeared on the streets, sometimes causing disputes over spots. To maintain order, Fenriel stationed guards. As production expanded, Aurora’s fame grew. 

 Her sweets were in demand not only in Grey City but also in neighboring regions. Foreign merchants bought them at high prices to take back to their countries. The common people called Aurora the “Queen of Sweets.” She was no longer just a simple market seller but a beloved figure. Yet behind this success stood Moris, unknown to anyone. And Fenriel, through Aurora’s success, increased his influence within the kingdom, secretly delighted at achieving his goals.