Chapter 9 THE NIGHT INTRUDER
Suddenly, Master Crumb began to tremble violently in its corner, the shaking strong enough to make several cups on the shelf rattle.
Its stone walls emitted a sharp scraping sound. The front door suddenly creaked, its iron lock turning on its own. The loud click shattered the silence that had settled so peacefully moments before.
Nora turned quickly, her heart immediately pounding. Her hand instinctively stopped halfway through another bite of her cinnamon roll.
A dark shadow lunged against the shop’s front window. Someone was trying to force the door open, their movements rough and impatient.
Tilly let out a muffled scream before immediately darting into the nearest glass jar, her tiny body trembling violently behind the clear glass.
Nora rose to her feet, her breath catching in her throat. The cinnamon roll in her hand slipped to the floor without her even noticing.
A dark-cloaked intruder forced his way inside, a long dagger gripped tightly in his hand, its blade catching the faint glow of the dim oil lamps.
Nora grabbed the rolling pin and retreated step by step as the figure swung his weapon. Her back struck the edge of the counter.
“Don’t come any closer!” Nora shouted, though her own voice sounded fragile, far from the brave front she wanted to put on.
The side door suddenly burst open with a violent slam, its hinges groaning in protest under the excessive force.
Kael leaped inside in a single swift movement, his silver armor clanging loudly and filling the cramped room with noise. His eyes immediately took in the entire situation.
He lunged at the intruder before the man could get anywhere near Nora, giving the cloaked figure no chance to react.
A brief struggle broke out between the display shelves.
The sound of bodies crashing against the wooden floor echoed loudly, startlingly sharp in the confined space. Several jars shattered after being knocked aside in the chaos.
Kael delivered a powerful kick to the intruder’s chest.
His opponent was sent flying backward, crashing through the half-open front door with a heavy thud.
Shards of glass scattered across the floor, glittering like fragments of ice beneath the lamplight.
The intruder quickly got back on his feet. He staggered for a moment before fleeing into the darkness of the alley without looking back.
Kael did not pursue him.
His breathing remained heavy beneath the plates of his armor, his chest rising and falling rapidly after the sudden burst of tension.
He turned around, his eyes sweeping over Nora from head to toe, making sure there was not even the slightest injury on her body.
“Are you all right?” he asked quickly, his voice still slightly breathless.
“I’m fine,” Nora answered softly, her hands still trembling as she held the rolling pin, which now felt far too heavy to keep gripping.
The night wind blew in through the shattered window, bringing a chill into the room that had previously been warm with the scent of cinnamon.
Tilly finally gathered enough courage to emerge from the jar. She floated low to the ground while straightening her rumpled dress, her eyes still damp with fear that had not yet completely faded.
Without being asked, Kael knelt beside the broken glass.
His large hands began gathering the sharp fragments one by one, his movements far more careful than one would expect from a knight who had just been in a fight.
Nora stared at him in surprise.
The man who usually wielded a sword was now carefully cleaning the floor of her kitchen, almost awkwardly, as though he were more afraid of scratching the wooden floor than facing an armed intruder.
“I’ll get the broom,” he said, stepping toward the corner of the kitchen.
“Sit down,” Kael replied without looking back, his voice firm even as his hands continued gathering the shards. “You’ve had a long enough day.”
Nora did not argue.
She took the broom and small dustpan from the corner of the kitchen, then approached Kael, who was still crouched among the broken glass.
The distance between them suddenly felt incredibly close.
The cold iron scent of his armor mingled with the lingering aroma of cinnamon still hanging in the air, a strange combination that somehow felt comforting.
Kael placed a handful of broken glass onto the dustpan Nora was holding. Their fingers briefly brushed against each other, lasting only a fraction of a second.
His skin felt incredibly cold.
Nora slowly pulled her hand back and lowered her gaze for no clear reason, her cheeks suddenly feeling slightly warm.
“Thank you for coming at the right time,” she whispered sincerely, still avoiding Kael’s gaze.
Kael straightened, adjusting his gloves with a slightly stiff movement. His usually hard jaw appeared somewhat softer.
“I won’t let anyone ruin this place,” he said flatly, though something in his tone sounded more personal than mere duty.
He walked toward the damaged front door and took a piece of wood and several nails from the corner of the room to temporarily cover the broken window. His movements were quick and practiced, as though he were accustomed to doing this kind of work.
Tilly watched Kael’s back from behind Nora’s shoulder. For the first time that night, her wings stopped fluttering anxiously.
“Maybe that knight isn’t as bad as he looks,” she whispered softly.
Nora silently nodded, having no intention of arguing.
Her gaze shifted to the small plate of cinnamon rolls still sitting on the table, some of them still whole and warm.
“Kael,” she called when the man finished hammering in the final nail and was about to leave.
Kael stopped in the doorway and turned around, waiting for her to continue, one eyebrow slightly raised.
“Would you like to try one of these cinnamon rolls before you go?” Nora offered hesitantly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the edge of her apron.
Kael eventually accepted the cinnamon roll that night, though he ate it in silence while standing in the doorway before finally taking his leave.
That night, the lingering sense of security Kael left behind allowed Nora to fall asleep peacefully once again.
Strangely, Nora no longer felt afraid at all inside her bakery.
She now knew that Kael was truly watching over her, even though she had no idea where the man was hiding.
