Page 41 of Princesses & Pastries
I wince at the use of my title. Normally, I can get by without using my duchess title, but today is about celebrating the treaty between Falhaven and Wafeland, which means reminding everyone of my station. And, like all of my siblings, I was gifted a dukedom on my twentieth birthday, and the one that's usually given to those second in line to the throne. Hopefully, that's not something that will ever matter. Before long, Kathryn will find someone she wants to marry, though I suppose that part is optional, and she'll have children who will happily push me down the line of succession.
At least, that's my hope.
I nod to several people who acknowledge me as I pass, wishing I could remember all of their names, but being hopelessly lost without Veronica. She has such a talent for remembering who everyone is and what their connections to other people are.
Luckily, Mama has never questioned why I usually put myself next to Veronica on banquet seating plans. Either that, or she's glad that there's less of a chance of someone noticing that I don't like my gravy to touch other sauces on my plate.
I take my seat and fuss with my skirt, making sure it's not trapped under me in a way that's going to be frustrating at a future point. I've had enough experiences of that to know to be careful of it.
Noise already fills the hall, along with several of the other members of nobility. My cousin sits on the opposite side of the table and raises a glass of wine to me. I pick up my own to toast him back. I've been blessed with not having to make small talk with him, though I suppose if he wants to talk about his preference for croissants and stroopwafels, I could attempt it.
Veronica takes a seat beside me and lets out a sigh. "I hope the food's going to be good tonight, because I'm starving."
"Of course the food is good," I respond. "Do you think I'd let Father down by organising bad food with the kitchens?"
She snorts. "I don't think that has anything to do with Father. The kitchen is probably too concerned about you saying something bad about their food."
"I wouldn't do that."
"Maybe not. But I bet you're also brutally honest about what you think."
"I give my opinions, but I'd never be rude. On purpose, anyway," I protest.
"And there we are. So, when are we going to see you disappear tonight? Straight after dessert?" she asks.
"No."
"What? You're not going to disappear off to bake?" Her surprise is warranted.
I clear my throat. "No, actually."
She raises an eyebrow. "You surprise me."
"I got that."
"I'd have thought you'd be spending as much of the evening with your baker as possible," she says.
"I am spending time with Nate," I respond. "We're just...not baking tonight."
She blinks a few times. "You're not going to leave the banquet to bake?"
"I thought he might want to see the fireworks," I murmur.
"Oh, Evie."
"Don't oh, Evie me, this is all your fault."
"I don't see how it's my fault," she counters.
Before I can respond to her, the doors to the banquet hall open, and my parents stride in. I rise to my feet along with everyone else.
"Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Falhaven," the herald calls.
Around the room, nobles and other members of the court bow and curtsy to them as they pass, including us when they reach our table, though our curtsies are shallower than everyone else's due to our proximity to their station.
"So, why is it my fault?" Veronica says as we retake our seats and the servants start to bring around the first course of the banquet, placing serving dishes within reach of all of the guests.
"Oh, I don't know, how about are you in love with Nate?" I attempt to say the words in her voice, but I don't think I manage very well.
