A Scent of Chaos | ONC 2024

Chapter Seven

Corvin's features scrunched with anger until his hand found mine. His fingers laced, weaving until they locked together, and then he squeezed reassuringly. "From what I've seen, you're doing amazing and that's definitely something to be proud of."

"Thank you." I kept my eyes trained on the lines dividing each piece of stone that made up the ground, unable to meet his gaze. My cheeks heated so much that they could have scolded someone with a mere touch. "What is it like working in the castle compared to the emporium?" I asked, changing the subject so I wouldn't burst into flames. "Surely you would have more space and quiet than you would at Velux."

"I could have all the quiet I want if it wasn't for you barging in," he teased. Corvin let go of my hand, just realising he was still holding it tightly. "It's better in some ways and worse in others. At the castle, I had much more equipment and expensive ingredients to hand with a snap of my fingers. However, I was pestered by maids, guards, and all sorts of people. My father would berate me about my mother at random times too. No matter how often I changed the locks and kept one key all to myself, he always found a way inside.

"At the emporium, I can be who I want. The freedom I want is within constant reach. Yes, there's less space, but I'm not scrutinised and-" Corvin wrapped his arm around my shoulders and steered me around a large puddle that had formed in a dip of the cobbles. It had swelled so big it could have been the beginnings of a lake. "Careful."

"Sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going."

"It's okay." He patted my shoulder before letting go. "I can't remember where I was now," he continued with a sigh.

"Something along the lines of you can be your annoying self and pester others when you please at the emporium," I offered.

Corvin chuckled. "Now, that doesn't sound right." He elbowed me gently, a warning nudge toward the water he had diverted me from.

"His Highness has the freedom to make any perfume he desires now," I kept going, making sure I was an unreachable distance from the Head Perfumer.

"Please, don't start calling me that." He rolled his eyes at the title, discomfort settling in his posture. "I want to leave all the royalty nonsense behind."

"Oh? You don't like it? That just makes me all the more tempted to use it." I smirked, being careful not to step on the edge of the puddle.

Corvin shook his head in dismay. "Next time, I'll let the puddle swallow you whole."

We didn't have much of the walk left until we reached my home. There were only a few turns and we would be standing right in front of it. Normally, the journey would take me the better part of an hour, but with Corvin to keep me company the time had flown by.

"We need to focus on the perfume or we'll never finish it on time. Really, we only have two days left of our remaining four since we have to get the perfume tested and approved. That leaves us with hardly anything." Spending a whole day in the infirmary had shortened the already limited time we had. It was going to be a close call if we were going to create something as magical as he planned.

"I have a faster way to get it approved, so it should only take about a day," he replied with a wink. "Let's just say I haven't left every part of my royal status behind." I was grateful for that. It only lowered the rising tide of my stress by a small sliver, but it was better than nothing.

"Being royalty does have its perks."

"I find this situation to be rather amusing. It was only the other day that you stormed into the workshop with nothing but pure hatred for me and now you seem to like me." Corvin looked to the sky, admiring the clouds which were starting to turn a pale pink with the setting sun.

"Like is a strong word," I scoffed. "I would use tolerate and very sparingly."

Did I like him? This deal was just so I could get the workshop at the end of it. I had to admit being in his presence wasn't as bad as I had expected and he also managed to make an uncontrollable smile grow on my face. He was also kind and caring in a way that nobody had shown me before. Corvin made my heart flutter when he looked into my eyes longer than he should.

Perhaps tolerate wasn't the correct word after all.

"Yeah, yeah. You can tell yourself that if it will make you feel better." We turned the final corner of our journey and our paces slowed. "My charms are too good to not be liked."

I came to a stop outside the first building, turning to face him as I stood before the front steps. "Well, this is my home."

It was a small house — the smallest on the street — but I still loved everything about it. From the faded ochre exterior walls, to the metal gate with a floral, spiral pattern. This was what I was happy to call home. There was a round plot outside of the front that the previous owners had kept thriving with flowers from several different kingdoms, but I hadn't had the time to continue that legacy. If I ever got the time to myself when I wasn't busying myself with new perfume ideas, the garden would be the first thing I attempted to start up.

"This place gets pretty busy later with people coming home from work," I began. "I don't recommend you hide out the front just yet if you plan to keep an eye on me."

"Noted." Corvin feigned a thinking pose as he scanned the area. "I reckon I could hide behind that plant pot there. It has a great angle of your front window."

"If you get caught, you're on your own." I held my hands up in defence, flashing him a grin. "Thank you for walking me home."

"The pleasure was all mine." He tucked his hands into his pockets.

"Would you like to come inside? I haven't got much, but I can offer you some tea and biscuits as a proper form of appreciation for helping me today." It wasn't often I had guests over — in fact, I don't think I had ever brought someone home. I was sure I had some sort of drink and snack to provide.

Corvin's eyes widened and he stared at the ground, a faint pink dusting his cheeks. "Unfortunately, I have some things to take care of back at the emporium. Besides, there's no need to give me anything. I'm just doing what anyone with a head on their shoulders should."

"I'll see you tomorrow then." I gave him a little wave as I climbed the front steps.

"Not too early!" He called back as he started to walk back down the street. "You need to rest!"

When the Head Perfumer rounded the corner, I reached into my pocket for my keys with an infectious smile. Perhaps I did like Corvin Pethra.

Chapter Word Count: 1,933
Total Word Count: 12,736