Page 18 of Dragons & Dumplings

"It is," Nate agrees. "I'm surprised the filling hasn't made it dense."

"The people from Shengda know what they're doing when it comes to filled buns," I say, eating some more of it. The fluffy bun and the denser pork filling go well together, with the spices and sauces from the filling giving the whole thing a satisfying savoury taste, followed by a sweetness that pairs with it perfectly.

"They do," he agrees, grabbing another one. "Luckily, baking makes me hungry."

"Mmm, me too." It's been a surprisingly long time since dinner, and these are delicious.

I smile at Nate as we eat some more of the buns, feeling a lot of affection for my friend, and for the time we get to spend together.

Chapter 8

After last night's baking, I'm tired but happy as I make my way into the mountain solar for breakfast. I love coming into this room, there's something peaceful about it, even if there are other people in it.

Veronica looks up from her breakfast, taking me by surprise, as she doesn't normally eat in here.

"You look tired," she says.

"I was in the kitchens with Nate last night," I respond, taking a seat and pouring myself some tea.

"Ah, the cook's apprentice?" she asks as if she doesn't already know. Sometimes, it feels as if my younger sister knows everything about everyone, especially around the castle. In contrast, I know next to nothing about anyone.

"Yes."

"Are you sleeping with him?" Veronica asks as she pulls apart her pastry and pops some in her mouth.

"What?"

"Sleeping with him," she repeats.

"Why would I sleep with him? Sleep is something I do on my own," I respond, a little confused about why she's asking.

Veronica gives me a look that I think means she can't really believe what I'm saying. "Not sleeping, sleepingwith."

"What's the difference?" I sit down and start preparing my breakfast.

She groans in frustration. "Sex, Evie. Are you having sex with him?"

"Oh." I blink a couple of times. "No."

"Then I guess I owe Arthur a new hat."

"What?" I ask.

"Never mind. But seriously? What do you do when you go down the kitchens at night?" she asks.

"We bake." I pick up some bread and tear it open.

"That's really all you do?"

"Mmhmm." I add some cheese and take a bite.

"Have you never thought about taking things further?"

"Than baking?" I check. "I'm not really sure what that would be."

"Wow, you're oblivious," my sister mutters.

"I'm just not really sure what you're talking about," I admit. "How would I take things further?"

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