“And while you wait,” he then grabbed a menu list and put it in front of me, “what would you like to have?” 
I shook my head as I slightly pushed the menu away. “No need, Grandpa Ben. You already have a lot of people to cater to. And besides,” I leaned forward and whispered, “I didn’t bring enough money with me.” 
He laughed for a moment before his hand landed on my shoulder. “Robert, you don’t need to have money all the time whenever you visit. If you want anything from the bakery, all you need is ask.” He grabbed his pen and a small piece of paper. “Now, choose whatever it is that you want.” 
“Uh,” my knees shook as I grew nervous looking at the list. “Perhaps, the tea and pie that I had before,” I requested, shyly. 
After he wrote my order, Grandpa Ben entered the kitchen. He gave his instructions, as well as encouraged everybody. I turned around and saw the continuous wave of people that arrived. Looking at the servants, it seemed like they’ve been working since early this morning. Some people stayed and ate their food with a satisfied grin plastered on their faces. Others continued to wait in line. And instead of losing people from the line, more came in and waited. 
I looked back to Grandpa Ben and asked, “Don’t they get tired? The people who are waiting?” 
He raised his face and briefly looked at the line. He smiled and said, “I already told them that they can return for their orders. But they preferred to wait.” 
“Today must have been a handful for you and the workers, huh?” I asked. 
“There are no stagnant days for us in this bakery. The only exception we have are our rest days,” he explained as he grabbed a chair and sat across me. “Some would send their servants for their orders. Either they wait or they ask us to have it delivered to their homes.” 
A worker from the kitchen rang a bell. He then put a tray with tea and pie onto the counter behind Grandpa Ben. 
He then served it to me. He slowly laid the tray before me, “Here you are, son. You’ll need something to help you decide on choosing a new champion.” 
“Thank you,” I nodded as I poured tea into my cup. 
He cleared his throat as he returned to his chair. “Lady was a fine champion for you. I saw how close you were as horse and master.” 
I nodded before taking a sip. The tea had a relaxing fragrance. Its divine smell and taste instantly calmed me down. As the hot liquid touched my tongue, it sent chills down my spine. 
“Laura did mention that something happened to your champion. I didn’t know it was her departure. Again, my condolences,” he lowered his voice. He dismissed his cheerful tone and replaced it with a comforting approach. “I, myself, have lost three champions in my lifetime. I understand the pain that you’re going through. Our adventures will always remain here,” he pointed to his heart. 
“At least you have no regrets on what you lost, Grandpa Ben,” I said as I put my cup down. The emptiness slowly formed within my heart once again. My eyes fixated itself on the food before me as my heart began to break. I continued, “Lady and I still had adventures to discover. However, it would seem that time wasn’t on our side. Without her, I would never be able to fulfill those.”
He put a hand on my shoulder, causing me to look up to him. “You mustn’t give up, son. Perhaps those adventures are meant to be explored with somebody else. It’s just waiting for you to open your eyes and heart,” he smiled. 
Could it be with Laura? Or another champion? 
Grandpa Ben has a point in regards to that. Maybe, for the next chapters of my life, Lady wasn’t needed anymore. But still, Lady’s death wasn’t necessary in my opinion. I still had questions about my life and Lady was my only source of solace before Laura came into my life. I’ve yet to discover the answers to my every question and Lady suddenly left. 
♔♔♔ 
After a while of heavenly munching, my meal was devoured entirely. Not a crumb was spared and I let out a silent burp as I adjusted myself on my chair. “Thank you for the meal, Grandpa Ben,” I said as I cleaned the plate and utensils. “I promise I’ll pay for everything on my next visit.” 
With a smile, Grandpa Ben replied, “You don’t have to, son. You’re part of our family and families don’t owe each other anything.” He then took the tray and put on the counter behind him. He shook his hands clean as he returned to me. “Well, unless it's about business matters, there will be a conversation. Am I correct?” he leaned onto the counter, his folded arms supporting him. 
“Grandpa Ben, this,” I pointed at the whole bakery, “is your business. I can’t just eat here and not pay for anything. You would lose profit and eventually, can lose your business.” 
Stepping back with a smile, he shook his head again. He chuckled before he answered, “You’re quite persistent. How about this: pay when you can. However, I’m not obligating you to pay each time you visit.” 
Laura then appeared from the back and carried the tray. Grandpa Ben put his hand on top of hers, stopping her on her tracks. “What are you doing?” he asked. 
Her brows furrowed. “I’m putting this in the sink,” she said as she lifted the tray momentarily.
“You’re definitely not doing that,” said Grandpa Ben as he stole the tray and returned it on the counter. “You’re accompanying Robert,” he pointed towards my direction. “He’s going to choose a new champion and he needs someone to be with him.” 
Laura grew even more confused. “Uh, Grandpa Ben, are you aware of how crowded we are today?” she asked, pointing at the line of customers that didn’t seem to have died down. “You need all the help that you can get.” 
“I’ll have Ronald take care of your duties,” he replied.