Page 15

The servants don't say anything as I approach the mountain solar, somewhat intrigued by finally seeing the room.

Arthur has talked about it a lot, not just since I got here, but in my letters too, but so far, I haven't had a chance to visit.

I pat my pocket to make sure I've remembered Arthur's handkerchief, even though I've already checked at least six times since I left my room.

I step inside and my eyes widen as I take in the huge windows, revealing the mountain beyond.

Flecks of snow drift past it, making it look even more magical than it already does.

It's beautiful, but I have to admit that everyone who said that I wouldn't want to travel in it was correct, and my aunt might have to stay at Falhaven Castle for longer than she initially planned if it keeps up like this.

I doubt she'll want to travel home in weather like this.

"What do you think?" Artie asks.

"It's beautiful," I respond. "I know you described it, but this is beyond what I expected."

"My sisters and I often have breakfast in here," he says, coming closer so that he can kiss me hello.

I lean in, enjoying the way it feels to be so close to him.

We break apart and I smile up at him. "I'd like to have breakfast in here sometimes."

"I'd like that too," he says as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me back to him so we can both watch the snow as it falls.

It's so mesmerising as it drifts through the air, almost like it's dancing across my vision. They're even more beautiful than the snowflakes I embroidered on the handkerchief for him.

"I brought you something," I say to Arthur, realising that I need to actually give it to him if I want him to have it. I pull it out of my pocket and hold it out to him. "I'm sorry it wasn't ready when I first arrived, I wanted it to be, but I kept thinking of things I wanted to add to it."

A confused expression crosses his face as he takes the folded-up square from him.

My heart races as I wait for him to look at it, and I realise how important it is that he likes it.

"It's beautiful," he says.

"Thank you."

"You're very talented." He runs a finger over the tiny embroidered horseshoe in one corner.

"I do enjoy embroidery," I respond. "Even if it was something picked for me by Mamá."

"That doesn't mean you can't enjoy it," he points out. "You added snowflakes?"

A blush rushes to my cheeks. "I added them after our first ride together," I admit. "And our first kiss."

His eyes light up as he realises what I'm saying. "It's beautiful. I shall treasure it, always."

"I'm glad you like it." And I can tell he does. I might only have been around him in person for a short while, but I can already tell when he's being genuine, which is most of the time.

"I do." He folds it carefully and slips it into his breast pocket, patting it while smiling so broadly, I think his face might break. "Would you like some tea?"

I nod. "Is that something else you're trying to trade with Rajaad for?"

"Yes, but this is actually from Shengda, we made a trade treaty with them shortly before we met.

Though when I say we, I didn't have anything to do with it.

No one has actually said as much, but I think the delegation were impressed that Evie managed to hatch the dragon egg they gave her, and that helped us secure the deal. " He guides me over to the table.

"There are four settings," I say as I sit down at the table.

"My sisters sometimes come here in the afternoons," Artie says. "I assume that the servants have set places for us every day too, in case we wanted to join."

"Oh."

He picks up the teapot and pours me a cup. The sweet scent of grass fills my nose, unlike anything I've had before. As far as I know, Someil and Shengda don't currently have a trade treaty, which means that we haven't had a lot of their goods in our kingdom.

Arthur sits down next to me, his knee bumping against mine. Unable to resist, I slip my hand under the table and touch his leg. It's the height of bad manners, but with only the two of us here, I don't see the harm in it.

"Would you like some cake?" he asks.

"Did Evie make it?" I ask.

"I don't imagine so, she'd be here to tell us if she did."

As if talking about her summoned the princess, the door to the solar opens and she enters even as Artie cuts the cake.

"Good afternoon," I say.

"Afternoon," she responds. "I brought your lemon drops." She puts a small box down in front of Arthur. There's a second one that has a letter on top that I look at curiously.

"Thank you," Arthur says with a smile. "I appreciate it, Evie."

"You'd better," she mutters as she takes a seat. "You should find yourself a confectioner to make them for you. I'm never making those again."

Artie laughs. "I thought you liked baking."

"This wasn't baking. Do you have any idea how sticky hot sugar is?" She shakes her head. "So yes, I'm never making them again. Enjoy these while you can."

"I think that's us told," Artie says to me.

I smother a laugh. "Thank you, Evie," I say, genuinely grateful.

"You're welcome," she says, already a little preoccupied with her slice of cake.

I'm not sure if she's looking at it like that because she's interested in how it was made, or if it's because she's disappointed in it, but eventually, she decides that it's acceptable to eat and cuts into it with a pastry fork.

"What's the other box for?" I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Oh, they're for Nate," she says, a slight smile lifting at her lips as she says his name.

"Nate's the pastry chef's son, right?" I check with Arthur.

He nods. "He's studying to be a pastry chef in Gaullesse."

"He's actually in Wafeland at the moment," Evie responds. "He's training under all of the best chefs." It's strange to work out what the tone of her voice means.

"And he's your friend?" I ask.

"Mmhmm. We met when we were children," Evie says. "We used to bake together until he went away."

"Will he come back?" I ask.

Arthur grimaces at the question, and I realise I might have made a mistake.

Evie clears her throat. "He says so in his letters, but there hasn't been a position for him yet."

I want to ask more about the situation, especially if she's writing to him and sending gifts.

It sounds a lot like what Arthur and I had, but all anyone has referred to them as is friends.

Maybe that's true, or maybe there's something between them.

I can only imagine the difficulties that would cause.

Being friends with a servant is already something that would be frowned upon in Someil, but a relationship would be a whole other level.

I pick up my tea instead of asking probing questions. I have a lot of time left in Falhaven, I'm sure I'll learn about the nuances of everyone's relationships at some point.

The door to the solar opens again, and Veronica walks into the room. Her gaze lands on Arthur and she lets out a sigh of relief. "Father is looking for you," she says.

"I told him that I wasn't working this afternoon," Arthur responds. "I have plans." He looks at me and smiles.

"He's still looking for you," she says.

Arthur lets out a frustrated smile and reaches out to take my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry, I should go see what he wants. Will you be all right?"

"Of course. I have your sisters for company," I assure him.

"Good." He looks over at Veronica, as if debating whether or not to kiss me while the two of them are in the room.

Deciding that I should help with the decision, I lean in and kiss his cheek. "I'll see you later."

He nods and gets to his feet, saying goodbye to each of his sisters and leaving the room to go and find his father.

"Do you know what that's about?" I ask Veronica.

"I've no idea. Probably about one of the trade negotiations they're in the middle of," she says as she takes a seat.

"Is he the only one who works with your father?"

"No, we all have our roles to play," Veronica responds. "I work a lot with the treasury, while Evie does a lot of the planning for banquets."

"I thought you didn't like them much?" I ask Evie.

She shrugs. "Planning banquets and attending them are two different things." Ah, so it's the food she likes planning.

"Did you not help your parents with running things back in Someil?" Veronica asks as she helps herself to a slice of cake.

"No, it wasn't really the kind of thing they wanted me to do. I would never be given duties like yours."

"I'm sure you can have some now that you're here. Artie will likely want help," Veronica says. "And he'll do anything you want him to."

"He's been very attentive since I got here," I say. "I just wish I could do something for him."

"Then you should," Evie says.

"I'd like to, but I don't know what," I say. "I suppose it would be nice to have some time alone."

"You can just ask the servants not to disturb you," Evie suggests, picking up her cup and taking a sip.

"I was thinking more alone than that."

Veronica gives me a knowing look. "I think that can be arranged. There are some small lodges on the castle grounds that are sometimes used to house guests. We could help you put together a picnic. You'd like that, Evie, you'd get to bake for it."

Her eyes light up. "I could. What do you like? Or what do you not like? I can make all of Artie's favourites, and yours too."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. But I'm sure Artie's favourites will be good," I promise her.

Evie shakes her head. "He wouldn't like that. He'd want you to have some things you like too."

"Lemon tarts," I say. "They're one of my favourites."

"Nate sent me a recipe from Gaullesse for them, I've not had a chance to make it yet, but I know they'd let me have some lemons if I said it was for you."

"They'd let you have lemons if you just asked for them," Veronica points out.

"Well, yes." Evie leans back in her seat, clearly planning the menu in her head.

"Do you think Artie would like that?" I ask Veronica.

She nods. "He would."

"Good. And we can be alone? No one will disturb us?"

"We won't tell anyone else you're there," she promises. "So, I'm going to assume you want some accident tea?" she asks. She cuts a piece of her cake and eats it while she waits for my response.

"Accident tea?" I echo.

"So that you don't get pregnant. Unless you want a baby soon."

"Oh, no, I'd rather wait," I say quickly. I'm not against having children at some point, but I certainly don't want to think about one now.

"I don't see how accident tea is going to help avoid a baby," Evie says, apparently tuning in to the conversation enough to follow it.

Her sister just stares at her for a moment. "What?"

"Mama used to give me accident tea, it's to help against accidents ."

"What are you on about?" Veronica asks. "When did Mama give it to you?"

Evie frowns and considers. "Maybe five years ago or so. She stopped around the time Nate left. Maybe she thought I'd spend less time in the kitchen then."

Veronica groans and runs a hand over her face. "The accident she meant was pregnancy, Evie."

The other princess blinks a couple of times. "I don't see why."

"Because she clearly thought you and Nate were sleeping together," Veronica points out.

"We weren't."

"I know, you told me and I had to buy Artie a hat," Veronica mumbles.

I smother a laugh, but feel a little better about assuming there's something more between Evie and her friend, it seems like I'm not the only one to think that way. "I'd like some of the tea," I say to Veronica.

She nods. "I'll speak to the apothecary. And Mama, apparently, so she knows to be more explicit next time she gives Evie something like that."

"I appreciate it." I know there's going to have to be a bit more going into it, but this is a good start, and I'm going to make sure I have something wonderful waiting for Arthur so we can enjoy some time together.

I know we'll have all the time in the world after the wedding, but that isn't the same, and I know this is going to be important for us.