A cozy looking tavern.

You sit down at a table near the front door, while Grace moves to sit opposite of you. You would like for her to sit a little closer though. You put down your hand to your side, stretching your arm out to her. You feel her take your hand and move her chair a little closer to your own.

''N-Not so close, my prince...! I'm just a commoner...'' Grace mumbles, flustered by your advances.

You laugh, ''Hey, don't call me prince! For now, I'm just Edmund!'' You protest jokingly. ''Besides, I don't mind at all! Unless you don't want to sit so close to me? If so, then forgive me...''

Grace shakes her head, ''No, no... I'm just not used to being this close to a noble... Let alone a prince!'' She adds quickly when she notices your disappointed expression. She moves closer to you, but still refuses to call you by name. ''I could never be so disrespectful, my prince!'' Grace counters.

''How about a glass of wine? And a plate of meat?'' You order.

Grace smiles, ''I would love some of that! I'm famished, the day has been long.''

Order anything you want, Grace. I'll pay for everything.'' You wink at her.

Grace giggles, ''Oh, thank you!'' She looks at all the food on display. ''I don't know what to pick...''

You lean in towards her. ''Let me help you choose... How about some roasted chicken?'' You tell her.

Grace smiles brightly, ''Oh yes, please!''

You order a whole roasted chicken, along with some potatoes, vegetables, and two cups of white wine.

''So, Grace...'' You start. ''Tell me a little about yourself.''

Grace looks down at her cup of wine, no doubt pondering in her mind what would be information about her worth sharing with a prince, luckily for her, just about anything will do for you, ''Um... I am fourty one years old. I run a small bread stall in the market...''

''What about your family, Grace? Your husband must be one lucky man.'' You add. When it comes to women, you tend to go for a not so subtle approach, it works wonder when you are royalty.

Grace blushes, ''No, no, I'm single! I have never found someone... And now I fear I might be a little too old for that.'' She mutters sadly.

You grab your wine and take a sip, ''I personally like my women a little older.''

Grace's cheeks burn a bright red color, ''O-oh, really?''

You nod at her, ''Yes! Not too, too old, though!''

Grace giggles. You raise your glass to your lips and take another sip.

''Anything else you would like to tell me about yourself? I'm all ears, Grace.'' You smile at her.

''Hmm...'' Grace thinks for a moment and looks around the tavern. ''I'm a good cook, actually! I used to work for my mother's bakery. Her husband was a baker, so both of them taught me everything they knew.''

''Oh? If you cook as well as you make bread, I'm afraid I just might have to take you to the castle with me.'' You tell her, emptying the glass of wine.

''T-Take me? You mean... Like, permanently?'' Grace asks.