Page 5 of Princesses & Pastries
"I met with the steward this morning," Marion says. "He has a lot to say about the upcoming banquet."
"Mmm, I'm sure he does," I murmur. The steward always has a lot to say. Though thankfully, some of it is useful.
She cracks a smile. "I've also set a meeting with Chef Martina and the department chefs for a few days' time. That should be enough time for the retinue from Wafeland to get here."
"Yes." I swallow hard. I want to ask her about Nate, but I don't think that's what she wants to discuss.
"The steward said to tell you that Chef Matthews is going to be returning to the castle as one of the Wafeland chefs," Marion says.
Nate's really coming home.
"He told me in a letter." There's no point keeping it quiet. As Veronica has told me several times, the fact that I correspond with Nate is common knowledge amongst the palace staff.
"I believe the steward thought you might want to know for when you think about the menu," Marion says."But there's a lot more to discuss," Marion says, distracting me from thoughts of Nate.
"Of course." I gesture for her to continue.
"The advanced retinue from Wafeland will be here within the next few days, and the Prince's family will be arriving a few days after that."
"Do we know which of the Prince's family is coming?" I ask. I'm sure Father might have mentioned it to me at some point, but I've already forgotten.
"One moment," Marion says, flipping open her notebook.
I take the opportunity to pick up my teacup and one of the biscuits, trying not to be too disappointed that it seems to be a basic shortbread. As good as it is, there's nothing adventurous or new about it, and while I might normally like my food to be predictable, it is a little different when it comes to baked goods.
Marion clears her throat. "Prince Willem's eldest son, the Count Van Bergdal is coming, along with the Countess, and Lady Johanna."
"Should we not be using their Wafelandian titles?" As far as I know, we should be addressing them that way when they're here.
She winces. "I believe that would be the Graaf and Gravin Van Bergdal, and Gravin Johanna," she says, pausing slightly over the pronunciation. "I think."
"I will ask my sister," I respond.
"I'm sure the Princess of Westmillard will know better than I," Marion responds, referring to my older sister by her proper title.
"My sister is certainly better at that kind of thing than I am," I respond, already confused about my own family tree. "Would you consult with her private secretary to find out?"
"Of course," Marion responds.
"Thank you. It's better if I don't get confused about whether or not the Graaf and Gravins outrank me or not."
"I don't believe that they do," she responds. "Prince Daneel is the brother of the current Queen of Wafeland, and the husband of your mother's sister. He is fourth or fifth in line for the throne, whereas you are second."
I nod, hating the reminder that I'm so close to becoming the Queen of Falhaven. At least my father is in good health and Kathryn has plenty of time to have an heir of her own.
Marion picks up her pen, and I grimace. Even if she isn't writing with it yet, I know that pen, and I hate the way it scratches across the surface of the paper when she writes. I know that I could ask her not to use it, but after Veronica told me I can't ask people to do that, I know to keep quiet about it. Especially as I went through four different private secretaries within the first year of my father saying I should appoint one. Marion has held the position ever since, and I don't want to lose someone who understands me well enough to organise the way she does over something as small as a pen.
I wince as she writes a note to herself, presumably about the request I want her to make of Kathryn's private secretary.
"What else did the steward have to say?" I ask, taking a sip of my tea and waiting for her to respond.
"He mentioned something about wanting to know the menu, but I believe that can wait to respond to him about that until we've met with Chef Martina," Marion says. "Though it is traditional for it to be a seasonal menu for the celebratory banquet."
I nod. I remember as much from previous banquets I've attended celebrating the treaty between Falhaven and Wafeland. The two kingdoms take turns in hosting, and I've only been able to attend the banquets here in Falhaven. Perhaps if Nate is still in Wafeland next year, I can suggest that I could be the one to go. I push the thought aside. There's no point in thinking about that until the banquet approaches again.
Marion sets down her teacup with a slight clatter. "The main thing that the steward asked about was the entertainment."
"Would the plan not be to use the usual court musicians and servers?" I ask.
