Page 5

Being outside the castle with only a couple of guards and the two princesses as company is an odd experience for me, but no one seems particularly worried about us being here, so I assume that it's fine.

It's just so different to how things are in Someil.

I've been longing for this kind of freedom for years and wishing I had the courage to act on it, so now I can, it's a little jarring, though I suspect I will quickly get used to it.

"Does the Winter Fair come every year?" I ask the sisters.

"Oh, yes. It's my favourite," Evelyn says. "Though I also like the Summer Fair. And the Spring Fair. Oh and the Autumn Fair, and the Harvest Festival."

"Is there any fair you don't like?" I ask.

Veronica laughs. "Not if there's a stall that has anything to do with baking," she responds. "When we find it, it'll be the last we see of Evie for the afternoon."

The other princess shrugs, seemingly not insulted by the implication.

"What would you like to see, Solana?" Veronica asks. "I believe there's a woman who makes things for cats, if you want to get her something?"

"Arthur already got her a cat tree, I can't spoil her too much."

"He built it himself," Evelyn says. "Just so you know."

"He did?" My heart aches for the man who isn't here.

"He said no one else could do it the way he wanted."

"Evie," Veronica hisses softly. "You're not supposed to say that."

"Artie didn't tell me that I had to keep it quiet," she protests.

"It's just not the kind of thing you're supposed to tell people."

"How am I supposed to know that?" The question seems to be genuine, but I don't know her well enough to be sure about that.

Veronica rolls her eyes, but turns her attention back to me. "Artie likes to make sure things are perfect, especially when there are animals concerned."

"But also you," Evelyn says. "He would always smile when one of your letters came."

"Evie!"

"His letters made me smile too," I say as I touch my necklace. I wish he was here so I could talk to him, but it is nice to learn more about him from his sisters, especially when the two of them seem to have a lot of interesting things to say.

"Look, Evie, there's the bakery," Veronica says, pointing it out to her.

"Oh, I must go over. Nate told me about a fascinating new technique for pastry in his last letter, maybe they have samples." She doesn't even wait for either of us to respond before she's gone in the direction of a table full of pastries.

"Is she going to be all right?" I ask.

"She'll be fine," Veronica responds. "Evie loves nothing more than baking. She'll find something to entertain herself. So what else would you like to see?"

"I guess everything," I say. "I've never been to anything like this in Someil."

"All right, then we should start..." She trails off. "Well, I think I'm going to go and check out another stall. You've got a better offer." She nods in the direction she's looking.

A little confused, I turn around, only for my heart to skip a beat when I see Arthur striding towards me. He's still wearing what looks like a military uniform under his cape, and his dark hair is tousled, presumably from the journey. He looks dashing, and truly like a prince.

I look behind me, but Veronica has already disappeared.

"You're wearing your necklace," he says, nodding towards where I'm touching it.

"Oh, yes. It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it," he says. "I had it made for you."

"You did?" I look down at it, appreciating it all the more.

"You said that you couldn't wait to see snow."

"I was a little disappointed that there wasn't any when I arrived," I admit.

"I saw some on my way back from the port," he says, stepping closer. "I suspect it'll be here in a week, maybe less."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry I wasn't here this morning,"

"Your sisters said that you were called away," I respond, shuffling from side to side.

"I was. Sometimes, royal duties have to come first. I'm sure you know about that."

I nod. "Yes."

"I'm still sorry that it took me away from you today," Arthur says. "And if you'd allow me to, I'd be honoured to escort you around the fair." He holds his arm out to me.

Without even thinking twice about it, I slip mine through his, enjoying how close it brings the two of us, even with the winter capes we're both wearing.

Even though I was having a fine time with his sisters, I'm glad that I get to spend time with him now, which is what I always wanted. I just hope he feels the same.