Chapter 1
I yawn as I head into the mountain solar, kept up by baking last night, even though I know that I should have stopped earlier and gone to bed. Sometimes it's impossible to avoid getting caught up in making something, even if I know I should be more sensible about when I rest.
Rain patters against the large windows, and worry worms its way through me in response. It's heavier than it should be at this time of year, and I dread to think what that means Nate is going to have to travel through on his way here from Wafeland. I know he won't be travelling alone, but it still worries me to think of him having to make the journey in weather like this.
The maid curtsies to me as I pass, reminding me that I'm not alone and I shouldn't let my mind wander too much. I try to smile in response, but it only summons another yawn. Hopefully, it's nothing that a cup of tea can't fix. A new shipment arrived from Shengda last week, and there are several new blends that I'm looking forward to trying.
My younger sister is already seated and helping herself to food, though my other siblings are nowhere to be seen. It's not a huge surprise. Artie is likely with his wife, while Katheryn has never really joined us for breakfast, nor has Ernest, my youngest brother.
Veronica looks up from her plate and smiles at me. "Morning."
"You sound too bright," I respond as I take my seat.
"That's because I had an invigorating night," she responds with a smile.
"I have no idea what you mean by that."
"Nevermind. But there's something that will perk you up. There are croissants this morning." She gestures to the plate of pastries in front of her.
"I know, I made them," I respond as I add one to my plate. At least I know they're going to be good.
"Weren't you complaining about not being able to master them recently?" she asks.
"I was," I admit. "But Nate showed me what to do when he was here with the Wafeland delegation."
"Well, for that, I'm grateful," she says. "And hopeful that he's going to teach you lots more pastries when he returns to the castle." She eats some of her croissant and lets out a humming noise.
"He says he has lots of recipes he's going to share with me," I say.
Veronica raises an eyebrow. "You've still been writing to him?"
"Why wouldn't I write to him?"
"Because he's coming back soon."
"Why would that stop me from writing to him?" I ask again, confused about why she thinks I wouldn't want to.
"I don't know. Maybe you wanted space to figure out your feelings."
"I know how I feel," I mutter. "You made it very clear."
She gives me an interested look. "I can't tell you how to feel," she responds. "And I didn't. All I did was ask you whether you're in love with him. That's an entirely different thing."
"Hardly. It had the same result." I pull apart the croissant and eat one end of it. They're decent, but not as good as the ones Nate made for me, but that's to be expected, even if it's frustrating. He's had a lot more practice.
"So, are you going to tell him?" Veronica asks curiously.
"I don't know. How do you tell someone something like that?"
She leans back in her seat and gives me a look that says I should have this all figured out. "You use your words, Evie."
"I can't just tell him that I love him. What if he doesn't want to hear it?" I pop a bit more of the croissant in my mouth and consider what it might be like to tell Nate. I don't think he'd be cruel about it, but I also don't see any way in which he can respond that will make me feel good. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."
"All right. Are you ready for the delegation from Gaullesse to arrive?"
I wrinkle my nose. "Definitely not. Mama likes us to dress in the latest fashions when they come, and Gaullessian fashion has never been good for me."
"I like it." She gestures to her dress, which I assume is in fashion in the Gaullessian capital right now.
