Page 10 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

"His letters made me smile too," I say as I touch my necklace. I wish he was here so I could talk to him, but it is nice to learn more about him from his sisters, especially when the two of them seem to have a lot of interesting things to say.

"Look, Evie, there's the bakery," Veronica says, pointing it out to her.

"Oh, I must go over. Nate told me about a fascinating new technique for pastry in his last letter, maybe they have samples." She doesn't even wait for either of us to respond before she's gone in the direction of a table full of pastries.

"Is she going to be all right?" I ask.

"She'll be fine," Veronica responds. "Evie loves nothing more than baking. She'll find something to entertain herself. So what else would you like to see?"

"I guess everything," I say. "I've never been to anything like this in Someil."

"All right, then we should start..." She trails off. "Well, I think I'm going to go and check out another stall. You've got a better offer." She nods in the direction she's looking.

A little confused, I turn around, only for my heart to skip a beat when I see Arthur striding towards me. He's still wearing what looks like a military uniform under his cape, and his dark hair is tousled, presumably from the journey. He looks dashing, and truly like a prince.

I look behind me, but Veronica has already disappeared.

"You're wearing your necklace," he says, nodding towards where I'm touching it.

"Oh, yes. It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it," he says. "I had it made for you."

"You did?" I look down at it, appreciating it all the more.

"You said that you couldn't wait to see snow."

"I was a little disappointed that there wasn't any when I arrived," I admit.

"I saw some on my way back from the port," he says, stepping closer. "I suspect it'll be here in a week, maybe less."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry I wasn't here this morning,"

"Your sisters said that you were called away," I respond, shuffling from side to side.

"I was. Sometimes, royal duties have to come first. I'm sure you know about that."

I nod. "Yes."

"I'm still sorry that it took me away from you today," Arthur says. "And if you'd allow me to, I'd be honoured to escort you around the fair." He holds his arm out to me.

Without even thinking twice about it, I slip mine through his, enjoying how close it brings the two of us, even with the winter capes we're both wearing. Even though I was having a fine time with his sisters, I'm glad that I get to spend time with him now, which is what I always wanted. I just hope he feels the same.

Chapter 6

It's amazing how many things the woman who makes cat accessories has that Felicia doesn't need. And yet, I can't help myself from feeling drawn to the small mouse stuffed with some kind of herbs that cats actually like.

"Should I get it for Felicia?" I ask Arthur.

"Would she like it?" he asks.

"I'm not sure." I frown and consider everything in front of me, even as he digs into his pocket and pulls out a couple of coins, handing them to the woman.

"Consider it my welcome gift to Felicia," he says as the woman wraps up the little mouse and hands it to me.

"You already made her a cat tree, you don't need to do more for her."

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