Don’t tell me you’re going to stay up all night working on that thing again, she meowed.
“I did not stay up all night.”
She stretched herself out on the pillows.Of course. Just until three in the morning.
“I’m almost done,” I said. “I only need to attach the sleeves and sew the sides and gather the body and...blazing fires.”
I was nowhere near done. The icy air bit my ankles as I slipped out of the sheets and dug out my sewing supplies. It didn’t matter that my limbs were begging for rest.
If I couldn’t apologize verbally, at least the crown prince would have a new shirt as a consolation gift.
Misty mewed in annoyance and stuck her head under the covers.Torture yourself if you want.I’mgoing to dream of pleasant things andnotimpale myself multiple times for a garment.
21
Iwas determined tospend all of next day finishing the shirt, as I had only managed to press the collar and stitch up the sides during the night. But my plans were ruined when Lady Marianna knocked on my door in the afternoon.
“Narcissa? Join me in the kitchen, will you?” she said mysteriously before disappearing.
I was disgruntled at being interrupted, but annoyance at Lady Marianna wasn’t sustainable. The delectable aroma of baked goods and the toasty temperature instantly improved my mood as I entered the kitchen.
“Gently, dear. Don’t dent my cookware,” Lady Marianna said to Prince Ash, who was putting away pots with unnecessary clanging. She smiled when she saw me. “Just in time. Come, come.”
She led me to the counter in the center where a selection of desserts, golden brown and glazed, were spread out in neat rows. “I thought you could help me choose what Bennett would like for his birthday.”
I bit my cheek. “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with his tastes.”
Prince Ash joined us at the counter. “Redheads,” he said in a singsong voice.
I blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
He laughed. “Don’t tell me you never noticed Bennett staring at you when we were younger.”
I scoffed. If he liked me, Mother’s plan would have come to fruition years ago. “You told me he wasn’t interested in anything but old books,” I said.
Prince Ash shrugged. “Mostly. But I’d say he thought you pretty for a year or so. Your personality, on the other hand—”
