Mama nods. "She needs rest and won't be performing royal duties for several weeks."
"Poor Kathryn," Veronica says.
"The Gaullessian delegation is arriving soon," I say.
"Yes. You will be needed to perform Kathryn's duties in her stead." She picks up her teacup and takes a restrained sip.
I let out a small squeak. "I can't do that."
"You can, and you will. You are second in line to the throne, Evelyn. When your sister is indisposed, you are the one who is expected to take over her duties," Mama says.
"Surely there is someone better suited..."
"You are a princess of Falhaven," Mama says sternly. "And you will remember that. We have allowed you the freedom to pursue some of your own interests, but you will not forget that your duty is to this kingdom and its people first and foremost." She takes a sip of her tea.
I look everywhere but her face, not able to meet her gaze. Not that it's new for me to struggle with that, but right now, I truly can't face her.
Veronica puts her hand on my arm. "I'll help you," she promises.
I give her a weak smile, feeling out of my depth before I've even begun.
"I'm glad that is settled," Mama says. "I shall leave the two of you to the rest of your breakfast." She finishes her tea and doesn't wait for either of us to say anything else.
The door closes behind her, and I slump back in my chair. "What am I going to do?" I ask Veronica.
"First, you're going to actually eat something," she says. "You're right, the croissants are better than the ones you made."
"That's because Nate knows what he's doing," I murmur.
"So do you," she reminds me. "Both in baking and as a princess. You know what you've got to do to keep Mama happy. And then you'll go down to the kitchens and make yourself feel normal again."
"But what if Nate doesn't want me there?"
"Why wouldn't he want you to go bake with him?" she asks.
"Because of the whole situation." I wave my hand up in the air, feeling utterly hopeless.
She lets out a sigh. "You need to pull yourself together, Evie. He didn't reject you. He just called you his best friend, something you've called him on many occasions. You need to do what we suggested and try again outside of the kitchen."
I nod. I'm not convinced that she's right about whether I should try to tell him again, but she is right that he didn't tell me anything that I don't already know. I have to hope that our friendship is strong enough to survive.
Chapter 8
Even though I'm nervous about seeing Nate again after last night, I still find myself turning up early to the meeting room off from the kitchens in the hope that he'll be here and we'll get a chance to speak with one another before the others arrive to discuss the upcoming feast for the Gaullessian delegation.
The moment I step inside, I'm relieved to find that I'm not the only one who has had that thought, and Nate is standing there looking at one of the paintings. I don't know who made them, but they depict a stunning range of feasting tables.
He turns when he hears me enter, a smile spreading over his face. "Good afternoon."
"Afternoon," I respond.
"How is the Princess of Westmillard?" Nate asks as he makes his way over to me.
"Sick," I respond.
"Yes, you mentioned that. We sent her some more soup and quiche earlier."
"She's sick enough that I'm supposed to take over her duties when the Gaullessian delegation arrives. As well as doing my own." I grimace even as I say it, but don't have to elaborate further.
