Page 9 of Royal Icing

“Please, sit.” The queen indicated two chairs in front of a desk.

They sat, and the queen moved behind the desk. “You’ve been briefed on the anniversary party?”

Maya nodded enthusiastically. “We’re looking forward to hearing your ideas for the dessert. The rest of the royal family won’t be joining us?”

Emma almost kicked her. Now was not the time to be shopping for a husband.

“Regrettably, no.” The queen put on a pair of jewel-encrusted reading glasses. “The king tends to leave such matters to me. My direction for you is simple. I want the most magnificent dessert that’s ever been served at a ball. I want people to talk about it for the next year. I want it to be delicious, opulent, artistic. An unforgettable centerpiece that celebrates the rich history of Lynoria and the strength of the monarchy.”

Oh. Was that all?

“Did you have a budget in mind, Your Majesty?” Emma asked. Maya almost always forgot to ask.

“There is no budget. You’ll give your shopping list to the head maid. We’ll have a meeting tomorrow to discuss your ideas. Samples would be helpful. A basic version is fine. There are staples in the pantry you can use, but you’ll need to wait until the dinner service has ended to use the kitchen.”

“Wonderful,” Maya said.

Wonderful? What, were they supposed to bake in the middle of the night while already completely jetlagged?

The queen rang a bell, and a maid hastened into the room. “Could you escort Miss Farrell and Miss Clark to their quarters?”

They both curtsied on their way out of the room.

Anxiety flared in Emma’s chest, but she barely had time to register it before the maid stopped in her tracks and curtsied at a teenage girl. Shit, who was this now?

“Good day, Your Highness,” the maid said.

Oh, it must be the princess who liked their croissants.

“Are you guys from Crumb and Get It?” The girl’s blue eyes sparkled.

“We are,” Maya said before turning her attention to the stretch of hallway behind her.

“I hadthebest espresso croissant of my life when I was in your bakery last year.”

Emma glowed on the inside. Croissants and showstopper cakes were her specialty.

“Thank you so much,” Emma said. “They’re a little labor-intensive, but I love making them.”

“Do you guys want a tour?” the princess asked.

“That would be awesome,” Emma said. “Are you sure you have time?”

The princess tilted her head. “Who’s going to stop me? I’m Ruby, by the way.”

“Emma.” She held her hand out, then snatched it back. She was pretty sure no one was supposed to touch royalty. Instead, she administered another awkward curtsy.

“You don’t need to do that,” the princess said. She reached over and shook Emma’s hand.

Emma turned to Maya, who was back to staring at her phone.

“Coming?” Emma asked.

“I think I’m going to take a nap and then do some exploring on my own,” she said, scanning the halls again. “Don’t be gone for too long. You have homework to do.”

Of course Maya wasn’t planning to help. It figured.

CHAPTER FOUR