Page 30 of The Princess's Pet

The Princess stopped growling and cleared her throat. “Yes, I find myself rather possessive of this particular source, cousin,” she said, her voice strained slightly. “You would do well to remember that and ensure that your staff is aware,” the Princess commanded, and Lady Amelia smiled brightly.

“Of course, no one from my house would even attempt to harm your pet,” Lady Amelia replied. “Come inside, the drive from the Academy is long, I certainly don’t miss it from when I was studying,” she said, leading us into the manor.

Inside was modern and bright, beige, light browns, and pale blues were the colour theme, in contrast to the old stonework and windows on the outside.

We followed Lady Amelia through the ground floor of the house to a bright sunroom where there was a circular table decorated with a large vase of a mixture of white oriental lily, avalanche roses, lisianthus, and chrysanthemums. It matched the minimal and bright décor of the room. Glass walls surrounded the pentagonal room and looked out on a large well-kept garden with gravel footpaths separating lush flowerbeds.

There was tea, finger sandwiches, and miniature cakes and pastries on fancy towers waiting at the table. And as cute as the mini food was, it was the vase of flowers that held my attention. It was a lovely arrangement.

“I love your mini scones and cream, Amelia,” the Princess said cheerily as we reached the table.

“I made a batch just for you,” Amelia responded, smiling at the compliment.

The Princess pulled out a chair, and her hand on my lower back guided me to sit. She took the seat next to me and immediately reached for a little scone stuffed with thick cream and jam.

I watched as she brought it to her lips and took a bite. She hummed appreciatively, closing her eyes in delight. A small bit of cream sat at the corner of her mouth and she brought her thumb up to wipe it, cleaning her hands on the light blue napkin that sat in front of her. Watching someone eat had never been more enchanting.

“Here, pet.” She held out the scone to my lips that she had already taken a bite of. “Try this,” she commanded, and I obediently opened my mouth and allowed her to feed me, despite being acutely aware that Lady Amelia was watching. I couldn’t deny the Princess when she looked at me with simple happiness and asked me to share that happiness with her. She seemed open in a way I hadn’t seen before.

“It’s good,” I told her.

“It’s second only to your blood,” she said casually as she popped the last bite of the scone into her mouth. I felt myself blush at her words and didn’t know whether to be pleased with the compliment or upset that she seemed to see me as only a meal.

“Percy, where are you from? How did you come to be Selene’s pet?” Lady Amelia asked me.

“I found her when visiting the beaches out west. I couldn’t resist her scent and purchased her from her father,” the Princess answered for me.

Lady Amelia turned to the Princess, amused “Can Percy not answer for herself?”

“My pet understands that I don’t wish for her to discuss me with anyone,” the Princess said unaffected.

“Very wise, cousin, given recent events,” Lady Amelia replied, and I saw the pain of her mother’s loss across the Princess’s face.

The Princess simply nodded, picking up a blue and white teapot, and pouring herself a cup before pouring the steaming liquid into a cup for me.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” I said, accepting the small milk jug she handed me.

The tea was fine, but I preferred coffee.

“Amelia, how is Henry?” the Princess asked, changing the subject.

“He has become a little hell-raiser, ever since he started school.” Amelia laughed. “He resembles his father in looks and character,” she added, as she sipped her tea.

“You did insist on marrying from the Obscurum coven. And where is my nephew now?” the Princess asked, smiling.

“He’s with his father visiting Vlad’s parents,” Amelia answered.

“A shame,” The Princess deflated slightly. “I had hoped to see him, it’s been a while.”

“You should visit more often,” Amelia replied.

I listened as the two women talked about Amelia’s family and her husband’s work. It was nice to watch the Princess laugh freely with her cousin.

“Anyway, enough about me, I can see that a lot is going on with you, Selene. Since you arrived you’ve been doting on the girl,” Amelia said seriously, as though demanding an answer to something that was being poorly kept from her.

“Are you suggesting I can’t enjoy my pet, cousin?” the Princess asked.

“Of course not, it’s just you’re the last person I thought would buy yourself a bloodslave. It’s unexpected behaviour, out of character,” Amelia replied, reaching out and taking the Princess’s hand.

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