Page 7

A knock sounds on my sitting room door and my maid soon steps inside and curtsies.

"What is it, Maria?" I ask as I set down my embroidery hoop. It seems that the handkerchief I'm making for Arthur won't be finished today.

"Prince Arthur is here to see you, Your Highness," she says.

I nod. "Very well, show him in."

She does a double-take for a moment. "Would you like me to fetch the Duquesa?"

I'm about to say yes when I realise I don't want my aunt here. "No, I don't think that will be necessary."

"Of course, Your Highness." She disappears from the room, leaving me to marvel at how easy it is to adjust to the norms of how things are here.

Perhaps she's talked with some of the servants who have been working here for years and has been told what things are like.

I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I'll talk to her about it at some point. Or maybe not.

I cover my embroidery to protect it and nestle it safely in the box with my thread collection. As much as I want to finish his gift, I also want to spend time with him.

I get to my feet as the door opens again and Arthur steps inside. He's wearing a waistcoat and shirt under his jacket, looking very different from when he was in uniform, but just as handsome.

"His Highness, Prince Arthur," Maria says.

"Thank you," I respond with a polite smile in her direction.

"Good afternoon," Arthur says.

"Afternoon," I respond.

"How has your morning been?"

"It was nice, thank you," I respond. "I took a walk in the gardens. My aunt complained about the cold the entire time."

"You should have Veronica show you around them," he says. "She knows the gardens well."

I nod. "That would be nice, if you think she would be amenable to it."

"I'm sure she would," he assures me. He puts his hand in his pocket and pulls out a small bag. "I brought this for Felicia."

"Another present?" I ask.

"A treat," he promises. "I also brought some marzipan for you." He pulls a small box out of his pocket and holds it out.

"You didn't have to do that."

"I did. I've wanted to send you some for years, but I always worried that it would get damaged on the journey."

"That's very sweet of you," I respond. "Perhaps I could swap it for some lemon drops. I don't have many left, but I do have some." I take the box from him and hurry over to my desk where I'm keeping my own bag of sweets.

He takes it as a chance to head over to where Felicia is lounging on her cat tower. Her tail flicks back and forth as she studies the approaching prince.

"I have something for you," he says softly, not startling her at all as he takes whatever it is he's brought out of his pocket and holds it out to her.

My cat's eyes narrow as she studies the offering. She leans forward and sniffs it dramatically before batting it with her paw.

"Felicia!"

She completely ignores me, far too focused on what Arthur has in his hand.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Dried beef," he responds. "The stablemaster swears by it being the best cat treat."

"I don't think she's ever had any," I respond, coming over so that I can watch my cat.

She bats at the piece of beef again and Arthur lets go of it so it falls onto the cat tree for her. She pounces, her paws completely covering it.

"Now we're not going to see any of her at all," I joke.

"That's good, because I came to see you."

"And yet you went straight for my cat."

"I must apologise."

"You must not," I respond. "I can understand it. Would you like to take a seat with me?" I suggest, waving towards the chaise.

His face lights up and he nods.

"Do you have anywhere to be this afternoon?" I ask as I make my way over, making sure to collect the box with the marzipan and the bag with lemon drops before I take my seat.

"No, I am yours for the afternoon," he responds. "I did think of inviting you for a ride, but Veronica told me you didn't have a horse of your own."

"I never had much reason for riding in Someil. Mamá used to have me sit in the carriage with her." My skirts move around me, creating a barrier between us that I don't expect.

"Would you like to?" he asks. "Go riding?"

"I would," I say. "I learned how, and I enjoyed it when I did."

"Then we should head down to the stables tomorrow, and we can find the perfect horse for you."

"I don't know the first thing about horses," I say.

"Luckily, I do," he assures me.

"Does that mean I'm finally going to meet Brownfoot?" I ask, opening the bag of lemon drops and offering him one.

He takes it with a smile. "If you'd like to."

"You've met my cat, it only seems fair that I meet your horse," I respond.

"And eventually, you'll meet Evie's dragon too. I'm surprised she didn't have her with her at the ball when we met." He pops the lemon drop into his mouth and I find myself watching every movement with a little too much interest.

"I forgot she had one," I admit. "I haven't seen much of Princess Evelyn since I got here, just when she and Princess Veronica showed me around."

"You don't have to be so formal about naming them if you don't want to," he assures me. "You can call them Veronica and Evie."

"I know, they used Artie for you too. It just feels so informal, I'm not used to it."

"You can call me Artie if you want," he assures me.

"Artie," I murmur, trying it out. "It does suit you."

"It is my name," he points out. "And what my sisters have called me for years."

"Are you sure it would be acceptable for me to call you Artie?"

He reaches out and takes my hands in his. "You know me better than anyone ever has, you can call me whatever you wish to."

I nod slowly and bite my lip, drawing his attention there without meaning to. "I've only ever been called Solana, and only by my parents and in private."

"Is that what you want to be called?" he asks.

"I don't know. What could it be shortened to?"

"Ana?" he suggests. "Or Sola? Or you can go by Solana. Veronica doesn't shorten her name."

"Ana doesn't feel right," I say. "But I think I like Sola."

"We can try it, if you'd like. It doesn't have to be for everyone, just for us."

"I think I'd like that." I smile at him, realising that I feel very comfortable with him around. Maybe it's because I know him already through our letters, and now I've been at Falhaven Castle for a few days, the realisation that this is the same Arthur I've come to know has really sunk in.

"Then we can try," he promises. "Sola."

A small thrill goes through me at the sound of my name coming from his lips. I look down, noticing our entwined hands and feeling something more within me. I can't explain the feeling inside me, or the urge to touch him more, but it's there.

Slowly, I pull one of my hands from under his and begin to trace patterns over his skin, revelling in every moment of contact between us. He doesn't say anything, just letting me enjoy my exploration. I've never done anything like this before, and there's something nice about it.

"How are you feeling being away from home?" Arthur asks.

"It's fine," I respond. "There are things I miss, and I know I'm going to be sad when I've eaten the rest of my lemon drops and I can't get more. But I like it here so far."

"I'm glad. Once we're married and winter has passed, we can go on a visit to Someil, if you'd like."

"I think that would be nice."

"I'm sure your parents will be pleased to see you."

"Mamá will be. She doesn't like to travel, so I don't think she'll visit us. It will be nice to introduce the two of you."

"Then that's what we shall do," he promises. "I shall get everything organised."

"I can help, if you'd like," I say softly. "I've not had much to do with that part of things, but I would like to get to know more of it."

"Of course. Anything you'd like." From the earnest expression on his face, there's no doubt in my mind that he's telling the truth.

"Thank you...Artie."

He beams at me, his dark blue eyes lighting up and the crinkles around them deepening. I want to make him react like this again. As many times as I possibly can, because I want to see him react like this at every chance I get.