Chapter 3
I dangle a cube of meat on a stick in front of Ember, and she watches it with intent eyes.
She pulls her head back, and a stream of bright orange flame spouts from her mouth, hitting the dangling piece of meat and turning it almost black.
She chirps, spreading her wings and making the light glint off her green scales.
"You're able to get it yourself," I point out. "You don't need me to do it for you."
For a moment, I don't think she's going to listen to me, but then she moves in and chomps down on a piece closest to her. She shakes her head from left to right, using her sharp teeth to pull it apart.
There's a soft plop as the rest of it falls off the hook at the end of my stick and onto the floor.
"You're going to have to clean that up," I tell my dragon, even though I know that she will. Mostly because she doesn't want to waste good meat.
The door to my receiving room opens, and my private secretary walks in. Her dark hair is pulled back from her face, and she wears a livery that matches that of all the other royal servants. Something about her always makes me think that she's a lot older than me, even if she's not.
"Your Highness," she says with a bow of her head.
"Good afternoon, Marion," I respond, setting down Ember's toy.
My dragon seems to realise that playtime is over, and grabs the remaining piece of meat in her jaw. She flaps her wings and flies over to the fireplace, where a small fire is crackling.
A moment later, the door opens again, and one of the maids brings in a tea tray with some biscuits, setting it down on the table in front of my chair. I gesture for Marion to sit with me, and wait until the maid has poured tea for the two of us before dismissing her.
I'm not sure why so much of what we do has to stand on such ceremony, but I've learned to accept it over the years. Some things aren't going to be changed just because I don't think they make much sense.
"I met with the steward this morning," Marion says. "He has a lot to say about the upcoming banquet."
"Mmm, I'm sure he does," I murmur. The steward always has a lot to say. Though thankfully, some of it is useful.
She cracks a smile. "I've also set a meeting with Chef Martina and the department chefs for a few days' time. That should be enough time for the retinue from Wafeland to get here."
"Yes." I swallow hard. I want to ask her about Nate, but I don't think that's what she wants to discuss.
"The steward said to tell you that Chef Matthews is going to be returning to the castle as one of the Wafeland chefs," Marion says.
Nate's really coming home.
"He told me in a letter." There's no point keeping it quiet. As Veronica has told me several times, the fact that I correspond with Nate is common knowledge amongst the palace staff.
"I believe the steward thought you might want to know for when you think about the menu," Marion says."But there's a lot more to discuss," Marion says, distracting me from thoughts of Nate.
"Of course." I gesture for her to continue.
"The advanced retinue from Wafeland will be here within the next few days, and the Prince's family will be arriving a few days after that."
"Do we know which of the Prince's family is coming?" I ask. I'm sure Father might have mentioned it to me at some point, but I've already forgotten.
"One moment," Marion says, flipping open her notebook.
I take the opportunity to pick up my teacup and one of the biscuits, trying not to be too disappointed that it seems to be a basic shortbread.
As good as it is, there's nothing adventurous or new about it, and while I might normally like my food to be predictable, it is a little different when it comes to baked goods.
Marion clears her throat. "Prince Willem's eldest son, the Count Van Bergdal is coming, along with the Countess, and Lady Johanna."
"Should we not be using their Wafelandian titles?" As far as I know, we should be addressing them that way when they're here.
She winces. "I believe that would be the Graaf and Gravin Van Bergdal, and Gravin Johanna," she says, pausing slightly over the pronunciation. "I think."
"I will ask my sister," I respond.
"I'm sure the Princess of Westmillard will know better than I," Marion responds, referring to my older sister by her proper title.
"My sister is certainly better at that kind of thing than I am," I respond, already confused about my own family tree. "Would you consult with her private secretary to find out?"
"Of course," Marion responds.
"Thank you. It's better if I don't get confused about whether or not the Graaf and Gravins outrank me or not."
"I don't believe that they do," she responds. "Prince Daneel is the brother of the current Queen of Wafeland, and the husband of your mother's sister. He is fourth or fifth in line for the throne, whereas you are second."
I nod, hating the reminder that I'm so close to becoming the Queen of Falhaven. At least my father is in good health and Kathryn has plenty of time to have an heir of her own.
Marion picks up her pen, and I grimace. Even if she isn't writing with it yet, I know that pen, and I hate the way it scratches across the surface of the paper when she writes.
I know that I could ask her not to use it, but after Veronica told me I can't ask people to do that, I know to keep quiet about it.
Especially as I went through four different private secretaries within the first year of my father saying I should appoint one.
Marion has held the position ever since, and I don't want to lose someone who understands me well enough to organise the way she does over something as small as a pen.
I wince as she writes a note to herself, presumably about the request I want her to make of Kathryn's private secretary.
"What else did the steward have to say?" I ask, taking a sip of my tea and waiting for her to respond.
"He mentioned something about wanting to know the menu, but I believe that can wait to respond to him about that until we've met with Chef Martina," Marion says. "Though it is traditional for it to be a seasonal menu for the celebratory banquet."
I nod. I remember as much from previous banquets I've attended celebrating the treaty between Falhaven and Wafeland.
The two kingdoms take turns in hosting, and I've only been able to attend the banquets here in Falhaven.
Perhaps if Nate is still in Wafeland next year, I can suggest that I could be the one to go.
I push the thought aside. There's no point in thinking about that until the banquet approaches again.
Marion sets down her teacup with a slight clatter. "The main thing that the steward asked about was the entertainment."
"Would the plan not be to use the usual court musicians and servers?" I ask.
"Yes, for the dancing. But the steward suggested that we also hire the acting troupe who performed for the King's birthday," Marion says.
"Oh." I think back to the event for a moment. "They were rather good." And watching a play is much less intense than listening to loud music the entire evening, so from my perspective, that doesn't sound too bad.
"What should I tell him?" Marion asks.
"Find out what they would perform," I respond. "I don't think we can make a decision until we know that."
"Of course." The scratch of the pen goes again as she writes on the page.
I should ask Veronica whether it would be considered rude for me to gift Marion a pen that I don't think would be as bad, instead of commenting on the sound I don't like.
"He also suggested fireworks. We still have some from the previous trade caravan from Shengda."
"They're always a spectacle," I respond. "Does Wafeland have a treaty with Shengda?"
"I don't believe so."
"Then we should do the fireworks. They will likely be something my cousins haven't seen before."
Marion nods and makes a note.
"Is there anything else?" I ask.
"Not at the moment," Marion says. "Unless you have any other things that you wish from me?"
"Would you tell the kitchen that I'm planning on baking tonight?" I ask.
"I shall do it when I speak to Chef Martina about the upcoming meetings for the banquet," she promises.
"But other than that, I don't believe I need anything." I haven't replied to Nate's letter, so there's no need for her to send one for me. I considered it, but as he'll already have left Wafeland, it's not going to get to him until he returns, and that seems like it would be a waste.
"If that's everything, I'll take my leave," Marion says.
I rise to my feet, allowing her to do the same. "Thank you, Marion."
She bows. "Your Highness."
It isn't until she leaves the room that I let out a sigh.
I understand that I have to do this kind of thing in order to help with the smooth running of Falhaven, but it's intense, and I need a moment to collect myself before I move on to the next part of my day.
Hopefully, no one will want too much from me for the rest of the afternoon.