Page 29 of Markets & Mooncakes

"He's not here," I say needlessly. I'm sure she can see that he isn't. "But I know the kitchen well, so I might be able to help."

"I have the moulds for the mooncakes," she says. "I was going to give them to him."

"I can do that if you want?" I suggest. "I'm sure he'll be here soon."

She nods. "Thank you."

"Would you show them to me?" I ask curiously. "And tell me what to do with them?" Mama told me not to talk about food too much, but this is a different situation. If Lady Sun Jinglan likes to cook and wants to talk about it, then it can only be a good thing for me to talk to her about it. This will strengthen our connection to Shengda, not weaken it.

"Of course, Your Highness." She dips her head and leans forward to open the bag she brought with her, revealing two well-seasoned pieces of wood with carvings within them.

I go over and lean over them, amazed by the intricate patterns that I assume are going to be part of the mooncakes. "These are beautiful."

"They are," she agrees.

"Where did you get them?"

"I like to cook," she says. "I know that it is not proper for someone of my station, but you understand that."

"I do. Though I prefer to bake rather than cook."

"Princess Veronica said the same."

"But I do like learning about new dishes and ingredients," I add, not wanting her to think that I'm not interested. "It is one of the reasons that I'm so happy for the treaty between our Kingdoms."

"I have not tried a lot of food from Falhaven yet, but I look forward to discovering it."

"I'm sure there will be things that you like," I assure her. "But you can also ask the kitchens for some of your favourite dishes from home. Chef Martina loves to make food that challenges her. So does Nate...Chef Matthews, I mean."

She smiles. "So he truly is your paramour?" She says the last word slowly, as if sounding it out for the first time.

"Yes." I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

"And it is not a secret that your sister should not have said?"

I laugh. "No. I don't think it's very much of a secret."

"Then that is good. I worry that she told me something she should not."

"My sister likes to tease me, that is all. But it isn't a secret. I have known Chef Matthews for a long time. I think a lot of people knew before we did."

"Ah, you were friends." She gives me a smile that makes me think she understands, but considering how bad I am at reading other people, and the fact I've only just met her, I don't think that I can make any statements about her feelings.

"Yes. Friends. We bake things together. Like mooncakes," I say, reaching out to touch the mould. "How do you use them?"

"You cover the plank in flour and then press the ball into the mould." She pushes her fingers into the dip where the grooves are.

"And to get them out?" I ask.

"Turn and bang." She flips over the mould and bangs it down onto the table sharply.

"And that doesn't break them?"

"No. They are solid. You will see if you help Chef Matthews make them."

"I hope to." I smile at her. "And I hope that we make them right. I'm sure you'll be able to tell us where we went wrong if we do."

She laughs. "I had our translator write it down. The recipe, I mean." She sets a piece of paper on the table. "I only recently learned Falhavien, and I can not write it."