Page 3 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

I can't tear my gaze away as we grow closer, and it isn't until my aunt stirs that I remember I'm supposed to be acting like the princess I am, and more importantly, as the ambassador for Someil that I'm to be.

Even so, it's difficult to sit back and let the footman open the door of the carriage for me. My aunt goes first, chuntering about something or other as she does. I think she's complaining about the drive despite the fact she's been asleep for most of it and it's not something she had to worry about.

I grab the basket with Felicia inside it and thread it over my arm. "I know Arthur is going to be pleased to meet you," I tell my cat, though she doesn't respond. I suppose that's her prerogative as a cat.

I pull my skirt to the side as I climb down from the carriage and walk with my aunt towards the three people waiting at the front of the castle. My heart rises to my throat with nerves. After so long thinking about this moment, it's hard to believe that it's actually here and I'm finally going to see Arthur.

Guards line the path up to the castle, making me a little nervous, considering that it's going to mean that the royal family are in attendance. I know of all of them from Arthur's letters, and I met all except for Prince Ernest when I visited before.

I take a deep breath and make the short walk up the stairs with my aunt beside me, and guards of our own behind. The rest of the wagons carrying my belongings and gifts for Falhavenare still rolling up to the castle, but they aren't necessary for my greeting.

The King stands at the centre of his children with his head held high. He looks like an older version of his son, with dark hair peppered with grey, and a bushy beard that puts my father's to shame.

Arthur steps forward and my heart leaps to my throat. He's even more handsome than my memory and his portrait have painted him, and I'm not really sure what to do with that.

"Your Highness," I say, remembering to switch to Falhavien at the last moment. I dip into a curtsy, but don't go too low. Arthur isn't the crown prince, and therefore doesn't outrank me.

"Princess," he responds, bowing to me. "Welcome to Falhaven Castle."

"Erm, thank you," I mumble, not really knowing what else to say. I've been practising Falhavien for years, and I'm normally good at it, but my words are failing me now there's a little pressure. "May I present my aunt, the Duquesa of Herodia." I gesture to my aunt who does a little bit of a clumsy curtsy, no doubt still feeling a little bit sleepy after her nap in the carriage.

"Your Highness," she says in broken Falhavien.

"It is a pleasure to welcome you to our home," Arthur says. "I hope you have had a pleasant journey."

"It has been satisfactory," my aunt says, regaining a bit of her composure.

Arthur nods. "Allow me to introduce you to my family," he says, gesturing behind him. "My parents, the King and Queen of Falhaven, and my siblings. Princesses Kathryn, Evelyn, and Veronica, and my younger brother, Prince Ernest."

He gestures to them all in turn, and each of them bows as to their status. Most of Arthur's siblings match me in rank, save for Princess Kathryn, the heir to her father's throne. It's strangeto see it working this way. In Someil, it doesn't matter that I'm older than my brother, he's still the one who inherits.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," I say, dipping down into a curtsy of my own.

"If you would allow me to show you to your rooms, I can have the servants bring your things," he says.

"That would be most kind." I look at the man in front of me, trying to work out what to make of him. Nothing he's said has been personal, or implied the connection the two of us have shared through our letters, but I suppose we are in the strange situation where there are a lot of people around and I don't know how much they know about our relationship.

One of Arthur's sisters heads down the steps and curtsies to my aunt despite not needing to. "Would you allow me to escort you, Duquesa?" She shoots Arthur a look that almost seems as if she's planned it this way on purpose.

My aunt nods and leans on the younger woman as she starts to make her way up the steps.

Arthur holds his arm out to me. "Your Highness."

I give him a tentative smile and slip my free arm through his, resettling my basket so that it isn't as heavy.

"Would you like me to get a servant to take that for you?" he asks.

"No," I say firmly before realising I shouldn't be shutting down an offer of help like that. "It's just that the contents of the basket are special to me."

"Felicia?" he guesses, his whole demeanour softening a little.

"Yes."

"I'm surprised she hasn't insisted on being introduced yet."

I laugh. "I think she'll probably be hiding because of the noise."

"I look forward to meeting her."

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