Page 19 of A Cake of Cherries and Charm

Rosie blinked. “Do you ask your servants many things?”

“Of course.” He smiled slightly. “Where do you think I get most of my intelligence about the castle’s goings-on?”

Rosie stared at him, not sure what to say to that.

But he only stepped back and surveyed her. “That gown becomes you. Is it one my cousin chose?”

Rosie blushed, but this time with pleasure. “Yes,” she said, feeling suddenly as stupid as Lady Sandra made her out to be. But then she remembered what she needed to say.

“I’m glad you’re back,” she said, getting to her feet and hurrying through her words before she lost her nerve. “Because… because I need to thank you for your kindness toward my family and my sister in particular, providing her with the protection from the fairy godmother. And I wanted to… to apologize for the way I spoke to you before you left.”

To her surprise, he only sat on the raised bed and motioned for her to join him. “I meant it when I said I didn’t wish to give offense.” He smiled, but it wasn’t happy. “As you’ve begun to see, court politics really are brutal, and they take years to master, if one can ever truly master them at all.”

“I suppose you’ve suffered from them as well, then?” Rosie asked, suddenly feeling shy. She had no idea why the crown prince kept talking to her, but she must have been more starved for conversation than she knew. Her mouth kept opening and saying things of its own accord.

“Oh, countless times. Like now, for instance.” He grimaced. “My parents are on the hunt for my bride. But loyalties, animosities, and titles complicate everything.”

“So,” she said slowly, “you won’t be able to choose your bride as your brother did?”

“Oh, my parents will consider my wishes,” he said with a gusty sigh. “But in the end, generally, the crown prince marries as the crown chooses.” He gave her a wan smile, a dark lock of hair falling down over his forehead. “But then again, tradition works that way. And traditionally, it’s how alliances are made or strengthened for the kingdom.”

“I suppose I should have known that,” she said with an embarrassed chuckle.

But he just shook his head. “The court games are a little more vicious in my court than in some others. And I think it makes the situation that much more difficult for everyone involved.”

Rosie thought about Lady Sandra and knew exactly what kind of difficulties he was talking about.

“What are you doing?” he asked, nodding at her paper.

“Oh, um, calculating the cost of the cake’s ingredients.”

He raised his brows. “Is this something your mother taught you?”

Rosie laughed, this time in earnest. “Most certainly not. My mother is terrible with numbers, and so is my sister.” She pushed a lock of her own hair out of her face, suddenly self-conscious as he watched her with a surprising intensity. “Our father was quite educated and rather meticulous, however, and he taught me before he died.”

“So I gather then that you’re the one who kept the family in economy,” the prince said.

“Well, yes,” she admitted. “But it wasn’t hard. We’re rather simple people. No one is demanding or entitled. I was always the practical one, though, and Snow was always the one with the golden heart. We work very well that way together.” She smiled fondly then at a memory.

“I remember the first time your brother met her. He was a bear, of course, and she just a girl. Well, I suppose he was just a boy as well, now that I think of it, only in bear form. Anyway, as soon as we realized that he was no ordinary bear, Snow curtsied then and there and introduced us all. Then she shyly asked if he should like to warm himself before the fire and sleep on the rug. And when he did, she spent the rest of the night chattering away at him as though he were her dearest friend.”

Rosie shook her head and grinned at the memory. “I could tell in that moment that he was in love. His eyes hardly left her that night. And every night after that, whenever he was in our cabin, protecting us during those cold winter months.”

She stopped, suddenly aware that she was prattling. But instead of being annoyed or looking as though he wanted to escape, the prince was only watching her again with that same intensity as before–as though he were trying to take her measure in a single look. Not knowing what else to do, she continued to talk.

“I think that’s part of why I’m struggling here.” She sighed. “My sister is excellent at reading people and responding appropriately. It will be helpful in the new role she’s taking on. But I, on the other hand, just say what I think, and often, it’s not the right thing. I think I was made to enjoy work. And I’m…” She paused, looking down at her paper again, suddenly unsure of what to say.

But when she looked up again, he was smiling. It was a kind smile. Not the one he wore in court when called upon to be polite. But gentle and understanding.

“I think you’ll find that–” he began, but in the distance, someone called his name. They both turned to find a servant running toward them.

“Your Highness,” he said, breathing hard as he bowed, “I apologize, but Her Majesty has sent me to find you immediately.”

Rosie nearly missed it, but the prince let out a nearly imperceptible sigh before smiling at the servant and rising.

“Of course. Thank you.” Then he turned to Rosie as the servant left. “I apologize, but it seems I’m needed elsewhere.”

Rosie stood as well and curtsied. “Of course. But… thank you again for all your kindness. And for the tête-à-tête.”