Page 17 of Princesses & Pastries
Betsy turns immediately and curtsies deeply. "Your Majesty."
"Leave us," Mama says, both to my lady's maid, and to the woman who sets a tea tray down on my dresser before leaving.
I frown. Mama has told me countless times that tea is something that shouldn't be taken in bed chambers, even with family.
Mama sits down on my bed and gestures for me to join her. That's never a good sign. Normally, when Mama comes to my room like this, it's because I've said the wrong thing to the wrong person. I go over the past week in my head trying to work out if that's the case, but I can't come up with anything. It's been a quiet week in the palace, other than the arrival of Nate and the rest of the staff, who have been sent ahead of our cousins.
"Is everything all right?" I ask as I make my way over to join her. There's no getting out of a conversation with Mama when she decides that it's time to have one. I just need to deal with it.
She takes a deep breath. "I brought you this." She takes a pouch out of her pocket and holds it out to me. "You should take it every morning."
"What is it?" I ask as I take it from her.
She hesitates for a moment. "Accident tea."
"I'm not having sex with anyone, Mama," I say, remembering what Veronica told me about being more direct with Mama about this kind of thing.
"Evelyn! You shouldn't be speaking like that."
"What should I be saying?" I ask. "If you've brought the tea, then you believe that I'm having sex with someone, when I'm not."
She clears her throat. "I just want you to be safe," Mama says. "And Chef Matthews is back..."
I blink a couple of times. "Why does everyone think I'm having sex with Nate?" The moment I blurt out the question, I regret it.
Mama's expression is impossible for me to read, and I don't even know what to make of it. "If you're not, then there's no harm taking it," Mama says. "Your father and I know that there's nothing we can do to stop you and your siblings finding people with whom you wish to...well, you know."
"I know," I mumble.
"But a baby is a commitment. You shouldn't be having one without being ready for that."
"I don't want a baby, Mama."
"Then drink the tea." She puts her hand on the packet.
I look at it, wanting to continue to protest and point out that I don't need it, but I know Mama well enough to be sure that she's not going to let this drop. "All right."
"Good, thank you." She gives me a small smile, though it doesn't hide that she still seems a little bit ill at ease. Though what do I know?
I brush out my skirts, waiting for whatever is coming next.
"There's hot water for you today," Mama says, gesturing over to the tray she had the maid bring for her. "You should request some from the kitchen each morning."
I nod, though inwardly I think that it's a waste. But if I don't do as she suggests, she's just going to come back in a couple of days and have another awkward conversation with me. "Yes, Mama."
"And I hope that Chef Matthews' return isn't going to distract you from your duties. I know that you need time in the kitchen after you've had a busy day, but I still expect you to show up for dinner and stay for the amount of time we've agreed to."
"Of course, Mama, I know the rules." I wish they weren't true sometimes, especially at the loud evening meals, but I also know better than to argue about it.
"Then I shall let you get on with your day," she says. "I'm sure you have a lot to do with the banquet coming up."
I nod. "I have a meeting with Chef Martina to discuss the menu." And then later, I'll return to the kitchen to bake with Nate, but considering what Mama came to talk to me about, I don't think she really wants to hear that.
"I look forward to seeing what you decide on," she says.
"I have a few ideas," I respond. And hopefully, the kitchen will have some more.
And Nate. He's always been good at coming up with dishes. Technically, he's here to provide instruction on the Wafelandian aspects of the banquet, but I'm sure he can help with the rest too.
