"That's enough," Mama says."I hope you don't intend on informing our guests of the history of what they're eating."
"Perhaps it would be best if I didn't talk to them at all," I murmur.
Mama sighs."I think that will do nicely, Chef Matthews.Perhaps with your help, Her Highness might be able to secure a promising match."She gives him a look that I think is meant to say something, but I don't understand why.
"My aim is to please Her Highness," Nate responds.
"I'm sure it is."Mama looks at me."That will be all, Chef Matthews."
"Of course.Your Majesty," he says as he bows to her."Your Highness."He turns to me and bows.
And I hate it.
I know that we have to go through this part when there are other people around, and that happens often enough for us to be used to the exchange.But it feels different in front of Mama.It certainly doesn't feelright.
I watch him go as he leaves the room, wishing that I could go after him and ask if he's all right.Mama might not have said anything outrageous, but I know that can't have been easy.
Mama clears her throat, drawing my attention back to her.She takes a sip of her tea and sets down her cup."I expect that you're going to be your most sociable self for our guests."
"I will do my best," I respond.
"Better than your best," she counters."Either Lady Elizabeth or Prince Francesco would make an excellent match for you.But if you don't like them, then there will be plenty of others at your ball for you to meet."
"I understand what the ball is for, Mama," I respond.
"Good.Then you can go."
I frown, having expected her to talk to me about a lot more regarding the arrival of my suitors, especially when she's had a lot to say on my clothing recently.But perhaps that is simply something that she believes isn't necessary to discuss right now, and this entire meeting was exactly what Nate and Veronica said it would be, a reminder to him that I'm a princess and that any relationship between us isn't possible.
I just have to hope that he doesn't take her words too much to heart.
Chapter13
By the time I get down to the kitchens, I feel as if I'm about to burst into tears, and there's a very real risk that it could happen at any point.IthoughtMama had ignored everything except the food, but it turns out she had an entire afternoon of seamstress appointments for me to attend, and they'd involved a lot of prodding, poking, and decisions that I wouldn't make if I were in charge of my own clothing.But it seems like for this week, I don't get any of it at all.
Ember curls her tail around my neck, and I lift my hand to pull it away.
"Looser," I remind her."I need to breathe."
She lets out a little huff, but does seem to listen to me and loosens the grip of her tail from around me.At least that'sonething dealt with.
I nod to the kitchen staff, but don't linger for longer than a few minutes, not feeling like I can interact with anyone other than those who actually understand me.
It isn't until I get to the door of the smaller kitchen that I feel like I can properly breathe, but I suspect it's not going to last long when the entire day feels like it's itching at my skin.
Ember lets out a squawk and spreads her wings, drawing Nate's attention.He turns around and smiles at me before almost being hit in the face by a five-year-old dragon heading straight for him.
"Ember!"
He untangles himself and smiles at me."I'm fine, she's just eager to get food."
"You're hurt," I respond, horror filling me at the sight of the scratch on his face.
He lifts his hand to it and brings away his fingers covered in a little blood, making me feel even worse."It's only a scratch," he assures me."Come on, Ember, the oven is warm, and there's food here."He pats the top of the woodfire oven.
Amazingly, my dragon actually heeds him, and she launches herself into the air so that she can make herself comfortable on top of it.
Nate grabs a clean cloth to dab his face.
