The conversation lapses, and it isn't long before he takes his leave with a deep bow and promises me a dance tomorrow.It's the thing that's least endeared him to me throughout the entire conversation.
"So, how was this one?"Veronica asks quietly enough that Mama can't hear.
"He was nice enough," I respond."But he wasn't Nate."
"I suspect that's going to be the problem no matter who Mama suggests to you as a potential match."
I look over to where Mama is speaking with one of the servants."That's true."
"What are you going to do about it?"Veronica asks.
"The only thing I can do," I respond."I'm going to have to tell her."I hate the idea of doing that, and making myself vulnerable to Mama's anger, but I know it's what has to be done.The idea of going through even a week more of Mama making me have tea with people I have no interest in, while being kept from the kitchens and the person I want to be with just doesn't sound doable.
"I thought it was going to take you more than two suitors to realise that," Veronica says.
"Nate's said some things too," I respond."I just need to figure out how to have the conversation."
"Good luck, because I don't envy you at all."
I nod, but mostly because I don't know what else to do, just that I can't stand much more of this.Maybe once the ball is over, I'm going to figure out how to tell her.
Chapter18
The ball hasn't even started yet, and I'm already exhausted.My tiara is pinching at the sides of my head, and my dress is itching despite the changes Veronica suggested the seamstresses make.
Mama turns to me and fusses with several of the bows so that they sit right."You look beautiful, Evelyn."
"Thank you," I respond.
"Do we need to go over the expectations for the ball?"she asks.
"I know them.You want me to dance with anyone who asks, but particularly with Lady Elizabeth and Prince Francesco.I'm not to leave before the end, and I'm to make acceptable small talk," I rattle off.She's been through this several times, and I know what I have to do even if I don't particularly want to do it.
"Good."She takes her place next to my father and nods to the servants standing on the door.
"Their Royal Majesties, King Henry and Queen Cecilia of Falhaven, Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Westmillard, and Their Royal Highnesses Princess Evelyn, Princess Veronica, Prince Arthur, and Princess Solana," they call out into the room.
"It defeats the point of a masquerade if everyone knows who we are," I mutter.
Veronica snorts from her position next to me."You're the one who asked for a masquerade."
"Because you told me to.I didn't want one."
"I'm sure you'll find something to enjoy about it," she says as we make our way into the room with the assembled nobility bowing to us as we do.
"You keep saying that, but I have no idea what that means."
"You'll see," she responds cryptically."Are you ready for the first dance?"
"You know that I'm not."
"You're the guest of honour, you're the one who is supposed to do it," she says.
"I know the rules.We went to the same etiquette classes," I remind her.
"At least you can predict who it's with.Prince Francesco is the highest-ranking guest."
"Mmm."At least that means that Mama will count that dance as done.It's best to get it out of the way, even if I don't want to do it.There are so many other ways I'd prefer to spend my birthday, and one of them is down in the kitchen, but Mama would never let me do that.
