"I would."
"It's a Bakewell pudding," I say."Flaky pastry with raspberry jam that's made from fruit that grows in the royal gardens, and then an almond paste topping.The almonds aren't grown in the royal gardens though."
"I do not imagine they grow well in Falhaven," he agrees.
"Most of our almonds come from Someil," I respond."Even from before my brother's marriage to Princess Solana."I cut a slice of the pudding and put it on his plate before getting one for myself.
Prince Francesco cuts into his and takes a bite, nodding in satisfaction."It is good.I have not heard of it before."
"It's a Falhavien dish," I respond."Legend says that..."I trail off.
"Legend says?"he prompts.
I clear my throat."I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I'm not supposed to talk about the history of food."
"That seems like a strange rule," he responds.
I look over to the other table, but Mama doesn't seem to be paying me as much attention as she was when I was speaking with Lady Elizabeth."Mama believes that I can talk too much about the subject."
"I happen to enjoy it," Prince Francesco responds."So, what does the legend say?"
"That an innkeeper asked her cook to make jam tart, but the cook got confused and put almond paste over the jam, creating Bakewell pudding," I say."It's not a particularly interesting legend now that I say it out loud."
He laughs."I think it is probably the origin of many foods."
"True."I give him a small smile.
"Where did you learn about the legend?"he asks.
"My..."I clear my throat."Someone told me."
"Ah, I see."
"You do?"
"Someone you do not wish to name?"he asks."Perhaps because the Queen does not wish you to."
"I shouldn't, please don't ask me to."
He nods."I understand.Perhaps we might speak of other things," he suggests."Are you looking forward to your ball tomorrow?"
I don't know how to answer that.Mama hasn't explicitly said that I'm supposed to say that I am, but I don't imagine that she'd be particularly happy if I told the truth.
"It will be a wonderful event," I say.It's not even really a lie.I'm sure it's going to be a good event for everyone else.And Veronica keeps promising that I'm going to find something to enjoy about it, and I have no reason not to trust her, even if it feels rather contrary to my previous experience of masquerade balls.
"Will your sister be attending?"the Prince asks.
"Princess Veronica is attending, yes," I respond.
"I meant Princess Kathryn,"
I frown, not having expected that question."I believe so."While she's still suffering from her sickness, I know she wants to.
"I made Her Highness' acquaintance on my last visit to Falhaven," he says."I was hoping that we might get a chance to speak to one another again."
"Oh, well, I'm sure that you can make a request.She might be able to meet you for tea tomorrow."I don't know if that's true, but if he wants to speak with Kathryn, then it seems like the best choice.
He nods."Perhaps."
