Page 23 of Markets & Mooncakes

"I don't think that's ever happened to me."

"No, I don't suppose it has," she responds.

"Will you be all right when we show her around the castle?" I ask, hoping that she's not going to expect me to be the one to make all of the small talk.

My sister rolls her eyes. "I'll be fine. I think she looks nice, I'm not about to lose my entire mind around her."

"You're the one who can't look away."

"Then let's hope that it comes across as me being attentive tomorrow, and I don't accidentally make her uncomfortable."

"I certainly hope so. I don't think Mama would be impressed otherwise, and it wouldn't even need a dalliance in order to do it."

Veronica grimaces. "Let's make sure we go to the kitchens just in case. If she likes to cook, then she'll want to see them. Maybe your baker can even show her what he's working on."

"Baking and cooking aren't the same," I point out.

"It doesn't mean they're not similar," Veronica says. "And she still might be interested. But also, don't do it for her. Do it for me who could use a little extra distraction."

I nod. Partly because it's a reasonable request, partly because any excuse to see Nate is a good one, and partly because Veronica is a good sister, and I want to be able to be a good sister in return.

Chapter 10

Lady Sun Jinglan is waiting in the great hall with her hands folded in front of her, the sleeves of her dress covering them. It must be the fashion in Shengda, because the fabric looks perfectly pristine.

My nervousness grows as I think about how important this tour is. Mama has made it clear that we're supposed to make sure that Lady Sun Jinglan feels welcome in Falhaven, and I'm sure she'll be reporting back to her father.

"Your Highnesses," she says with a bow as Veronica and I approach.

"My Lady," I respond.

Veronica mumbles something, and I start to worry that I really am going to have to be the one who takes charge of the tour, even though I don't want to be. I don't have interesting things to say about many of the rooms.

"Thank you for offering to help me learn the castle today," Lady Sun Jinglan says.

"You're welcome," I respond.

"It's our pleasure," Veronica adds. "Is there anywhere in particular you'd like to go?"

I let out a sigh of relief. It's much better if Veronica takes the lead.

"Anywhere you wish to take me," she responds.

Veronica gestures for us to start with the grand hall itself, telling Lady Sun Jinglan about all of the different statues of the past Kings and Queens of Falhaven. I don't listen all that closely, having heard it many times from the various tutors I've had over the years.

Is this the kind of thing Mama wants Nate to learn? I'm not sure how knowing about all of the past royals is going to serve him if he's dealing with the court as a whole, but it feels as if it might be the kind of thing she would want him to know.

We move on through the other rooms on the ground floor of the castle, though thankfully, we don't head outside. It's raining hard, and I have no desire to deal with the feel of wet fabric against my legs when I walk. If the ambassador and his daughter had arrived in the summer, I'm sure that it would have been different, and Mama will probably instruct us to take her on that part of the tour when the weather improves.

I don't say much, only contributing when Veronica prompts me directly, but that shouldn't be a huge surprise to her. I'm not exactly a good conversationalist.

"Is the weekly market still happening next week?" Veronica asks me, surprising me out of my thoughts.

"What about the market?" I ask.

"Is it happening next week?" Veronica repeats slowly.

"Yes, of course. It happens every week. That's why it's the weekly market," I point out.