Chapter 1

Clariza was jolted awake by the familiar sounds of her father and brother bustling about in the kitchen. The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the sound of flour being sifted and dough being kneaded.

She stretched, blinking sleepily at the early morning light that filtered through the small window of her room.Curious about the unusual commotion, she stepped out of bed and made her way to the kitchen.

"Why does it feel like everyone is so busy today?" she asked, rubbing her eyes as she approached her elder brother.

He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, pausing for a moment from his task. "Don't you know? Today’s the day when the king will choose which of his two sons will inherit the throne. There’s going to be a grand feast at the palace tonight."

Their father, kneading a mound of dough with practiced hands, chimed in, "Exactly. So, get dressed and help us, Clariza. We’ve got a lot of bread to deliver to the palace later."

Clariza nodded quickly. She was a kind and dutiful daughter, always ready to lend a hand when needed. Without further delay, she hurried to get ready, eager to help her family and curious about the events that would unfold later that day.

Clariza’s life had not been without hardship. Her mother had passed away when she was young, taken by a severe heart illness. Yet, even in her absence, Clariza had never lacked love or care. Her father, Artimeo, and her older brother, Rio, had dedicated themselves to ensuring that she grew up surrounded by affection and warmth.

Artimeo worked tirelessly in their small bakery .Despite the challenges they faced, Clariza had grown into a beautiful and intelligent young woman, known throughout their village for her kindness and gentle spirit.

Many suitors had tried to win her heart, captivated by her grace and charm. But Clariza had turned them all away, not because she was uninterested in love, but because she felt a deep sense of duty to her family. At twenty-five, she remained single, focused on helping her father and brother, and determined to see them through their struggles before even considering marriage.

To her, family came first, and she found fulfillment in their happiness and well-being. The idea of a husband or children of her own had always been something she placed on the back burner, knowing that there would be time for that later—once their lives were more stable.

The soft chime of the bell above the bakery's front door caught their attention. Clariza and Rio exchanged a quick glance, knowing who it was before she even called out. "Good morning! Rio, where are you?" came Hellen's familiar voice, warm and cheerful as always.

Hellen, Rio's wife of three years, entered the kitchen with a basket in hand, her smile lighting up the room. Despite their hopes, the couple had yet to be blessed with children, but their bond was strong, and they supported each other through every trial.She placed the basket on the counter, revealing it to be full of fresh berries, ready to be used in the bakery’s popular berry muffins. Walking over to Rio, she gently wiped the sweat from his brow, her touch tender and loving."Is the first batch of choco cookies ready?" Hellen asked, glancing around at the trays of baked goods.

"They need to be delivered to the palace soon."Artimeo pointed to a stack of five sealed boxes neatly arranged on the side.

"All packed and ready to go," he said with a nod of satisfaction.

Hellen turned to Clariza with a thoughtful expression. "Clariza, would you like to help with the delivery to the palace? I just remembered I need to pick up more berries from Sir Pedro’s orchard."

Clariza smiled and nodded. "Sure, I can take care of the delivery. Don’t worry about it," she replied, happy to lend a hand.

With that, the plan was set. Clariza quickly prepared herself for the trip, the thought of visiting the palace sparking a flicker of excitement within her. She had always been curious about the grand celebrations that took place within those towering walls, and though she was only delivering cookies, the chance to glimpse the grandeur up close was something she looked forward to.

Carefully, Rio helped load the sealed boxes onto their small wagon, which was hitched to a sturdy horse. Clariza climbed into the driver's seat, taking hold of the reins.

Before she could leave, Hellen walked over, giving her some last-minute instructions."Don't go through the front entrance," Hellen advised, her tone serious. "Head to the back of the palace instead. There are too many people at the front today, and the palace staff will be busy. If you're unsure where to go, I'm sure there will be plenty of people you can ask. Look for the door that leads into the kitchen. Once you're there, just tell them the cookies are from Artimeo’s Bakery. They’ll know what to do. And don’t forget to collect their payment!" she added with a light laugh, her eyes twinkling.

Clariza nodded, absorbing every word. With a final wave to her family, she gently urged the horse forward, starting her journey to the palace.As she made her way through the bustling town, she was greeted by familiar faces. Some waved, others called out cheerful greetings, and Clariza responded with polite smiles and nods. The people of the town knew her well, not only because of the delicious bread her family produced but also because of her striking beauty.

Unbeknownst to Clariza, her beauty was admired by many. She had inherited her mother’s large, expressive eyes, a delicate nose, and smooth, flawless skin. Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down past her shoulders, and her figure was slender yet shapely, perfectly complementing her modest height. Though she was humble and unassuming, her presence never went unnoticed.

As Clariza neared the palace, she noticed the increasing number of people converging toward the grand gates. Merchants, businessmen, and all sorts of individuals were making their way to the palace. Some were commoners like herself, while others rode in ornate carriages, likely wealthy individuals or royals from distant lands. The sight of these elegant carriages, adorned with intricate designs and drawn by majestic horses, made Clariza pause for a moment in admiration.

“Those must be important people,” she thought to herself, her eyes following the grand procession.

Keeping to the side of the road, Clariza guided her wagon steadily, careful not to disturb the flow of traffic. However, her peaceful journey was abruptly interrupted when a carriage, speeding recklessly down the road, nearly ran her over. The sudden rush of the carriage sent her wagon swerving dangerously to the side, causing the boxes of cookies to teeter on the edge of falling into the grass.

Clariza struggled to maintain control, her heart pounding in her chest. She managed to steady the horse and keep the wagon from tipping over, but in the process, she lost her balance and fell to the ground with a thud. The impact left her momentarily stunned, but it quickly gave way to a surge of frustration.

How could someone be so careless? Gritting her teeth, she sprang to her feet, determined not to let the incident slide. She quickly untied the horse from the wagon, mounted it with practiced ease, and took off after the carriage. Clariza had been skilled at riding since she was a child, taught by her father to handle horses with confidence and grace.

“No one should be able to get away with such recklessness,” she thought fiercely, her determination only growing as she closed the gap between them. Whoever had nearly caused her to lose the precious cargo—and possibly even her life—needed to be held accountable.

As she drew closer, Clariza prepared herself for a confrontation, her resolve unshaken. She might be just a baker's daughter, but she knew right from wrong, and this was something she couldn’t let slide.

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