Page 53 of Trapped with the Undercover Prince

“Well, she wasn’t just looking out for herself. She was pregnant with my mother.”

Zar’s grandmother nodded and glanced at him. “Tell me about this pancake tradition.”

Anna smiled, wiped the tears from her face without embarrassment or ceremony, and proceeded to explain the long working hours she went through as a young doctor, and how pancakes were her reward.

The staff brought out the late breakfast, and Anna was excited by all the different toppings. Most especially the whipped cream.

Gabby quickly got caught up in some sort of tasting scheme that Anna challenged her to, and it reduced everyone to smiles and laughter.

Once the food was cleared away, Anna started looking at the door as if trying to figure out how to leave gracefully.

The queen cleared her throat and captured everyone’s attention. “Anna, we would like to honor your heroism and service to the people of Lerasia.”

“Oh.” She looked at Zar with wide eyes, begging for help. “That’s really not necessary.”

“What sort of honor, Mother?” he asked.

“It was Gabby’s suggestion, actually. Something to lighten all our hearts.”

Some of the panic on Anna’s face faded, and she looked at Gabby.

His next oldest sister smiled and said primly, “A ball.”

“A ball?” Anna asked like she was afraid of the answer. “With gowns and a live band?”

“Yes, which means we need to go shopping for an appropriate dress for you.”

Anna blushed. “Well, the thing is...I don’t know the fancy kind of dancing.”

“There’s an unfancy kind?” Zar asked.

She smacked him on the shoulder. “Well, okay, it’s mostly just swaying.”

“I can sway,” he said, imagining her in a cream-colored gown with pearls in her auburn hair.

“I’ll bet you can,” Anna said under her breath.

“You’ll be fine, Anna,” Estelle said. “Lots of people just sway these days.”

“When will this ball be happening?” Anna asked.

“In three days,” the queen said. “Lots of time to find a dress.”

“Yeah,” Anna said, looking like she was sorry she ate so many pancakes. “Lots of time.”

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