Page 43 of Princesses & Pastries
"What?"
"Well, the cheesecake, compared to whatever it is Nate made."
"What if Nate made the cheesecake?" I ask.
"Did he?"
"No. His father did. And he was reluctant to make it with lemon. I thought it might be good to highlight the new bounty of citrus fruits we have available thanks to the treaty with Someil."
Veronica laughs. "And you say you're bad at politics."
"I am. I thought it would be nice. Lemons are still fairly rare this far up north."
She shakes her head, seeming more amused than anything else. "Well, I'm looking forward to tasting what Nate made," she admits as she takes a large slice of the slagroomtaart. "Have you tried it already?"
"Yes. Nate organised a tasting of the whole menu for me after I missed the one the kitchen put on because of my courses."
Veronica stares at me. "He did what?"
"He asked Chef Martina if I could have a tasting still, then took me through all of the dishes himself."
She laughs. "Oh, he would really want to know how you feel."
"I don't know how you got that from him wanting to help me do my job well," I respond.
"Evie, Evie, Evie, what am I going to do with you?" She pushes her spoon through her slice of slagroomtaart and takes a bite, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Other than getting you to convince Nate to move back to Falhaven. Between this and the stroopwafels, I might fall in love with him myself."
"You will not," I say firmly. "You're not into men."
"I can make exceptions." The way she says it makes it sound as if she's joking, but I can't fully tell.
I'm about to ask her further about it when Gravin Johanna appears in front of us. She dips into a curtsy to each of us.
"Cousin," she says, looking at me.
I nod to her in response, hoping she's not here to insult the dessert, though I still don't remember the first time that happened.
"I hear you are to thank for this wonderful feast," she says slowly, her accent stronger than her brother's, but still excellent.
"We have the staff in the kitchens, including some of your own chefs to thank for the food," I say.
"They are very talented," she says. "I believe my grandmother, the Queen of Wafeland, will be pleased to hear about the welcome we have been given here."
I attempt to give her a warm smile, but I don't think I manage very well based on Veronica's response.
"There is still more to come, My Lady," my sister says. "There is a play put on by one of the best theatre troupes in Falhaven. And dancing, if you would like."
"I do like to dance," she says.
"And fireworks," I blurt out.
Gravin Johanna raises an eyebrow. "Fireworks?"
"We get them from Shengda," I say. "They're beautiful."
Veronica nods. "They'll be a perfect way to end the evening."
"Ah. Then I look forward to seeing them. Your Highnesses." She curtsies again to each of us before disappearing back to her seat.
