Page 7 of Love Letters & Lemon Drops

"I'll see you tomorrow, Solana," he says, hesitating before he heads to the door.

There's a part of me that wants to ask him to come back, but I don't know what I'd say if he did. I hope these things are going to get easier the more time I spend here.

Chapter 4

It's strange to have this much space for myself. Back in Someil, I only really had my bedchamber and a second room where I would write my correspondence. I know I'll be sharing a lot of my new space with Arthur, but it still feels good to be able to walk around and know that it's mine in some way.

Felicia lounges most of the way up the cat tower he made for me, and I smile at her.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" I scratch my cat behind the ears, and she lets out a loud purr. "I hope this means you like Arthur."

She doesn't respond, which isn't a surprise. It's not like she really understands what's going on. As far as she's concerned, I put her in a basket in Someil, and now we're not there. It's not like she can tell that people are speaking a different language.

On the other hand, maybe they're not. I used to practice speaking Falhavien to her all the time.

The door to the private sitting room opens and my maid walks inside, still wearing her uniform from home. I should make sure to find out if that's considered acceptable here or ifshe's supposed to be wearing what the other maids working at Falhaven Castle do.

"Your Highness," she says, dipping into a curtsy. "Princess Evelyn and Princess Veronica are here."

I nod. "Please tell them that I'll be there in a moment." I check that my dress is perfectly presented, even though I know it is. I want to make a good impression on Arthur's sisters, especially as this is the first time I'm actually going to meet them without an entire retinue in front of us.

I take a deep breath and head into the receiving room, noticing that my aunt has already made herself at home in one of the chairs and looks like she could fall asleep. She's always had the uncanny ability to sleep wherever she's sitting, and it seems to have become more pronounced as she's grown older. I'm not convinced that she's the best person to have sent to Falhaven as my chaperone, but that decision was one that was made without me.

The woman I recognise as Princess Veronica notices me entering and nods in my direction, nudging the other woman with her arm. I assume that must be Princess Evelyn, but I only got a brief look at her when I arrived yesterday.

"Your Highnesses," I say, dipping into a curtsy just as Princess Evelyn turns around.

"Princess Solana," she nods her head in response.

I give them what I hope is a friendly smile. "I wasn't expecting you this morning."

"Ah, yes. Artie, erm, Prince Arthur, asked me to give you this." Princess Evelyn holds out a letter to me.

There's a hint of excitement within me as I think about getting a letter from Arthur, even though we're in the same castle.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I say as I take it.

"I don't think there's any need for that," Princess Veronica says. "You can call me Veronica, and you can call her Evelyn, or Evie, everyone does."

The other princess shrugs. "That's true."

"If you're sure that it's proper," I respond, not really knowing what to make of the two princesses in front of me.

"You are marrying our brother," Veronica says. "I think that removes any need for titles when we're in private."

I nod. "Solana." It's strange, especially given how few people have called me by my given name in my life, but I do believe it's something I can get used to. Especially as I plan on living in Falhaven for a long time to come.

I turn my attention to the letter, feeling a little nervous as I run my fingernail under the familiar seal and unfold the paper. The handwriting inside is familiar, but I'm not used to the correspondence being so short.

"He wishes me a pleasant day and hopes I will enjoy my time with the two of you," I say, folding the letter up and putting it in my pocket.

"I'm sorry he isn't here himself. There was an issue at the port that he needed to go and deal with. He didn't want to go, I think he'd much rather be here with you," Veronica says.

"That's all right, he told me as much yesterday." Though I'm a little disappointed, I'm not surprised. Hopefully, this isn't an omen of how things are going to be in the future.

"He asked me to show you around the castle," Evelyn blurts out. "Veronica said she'd come along."

"Because otherwise, you're going to spend three hours taking her on a tour of the kitchens and not get to any of the good things," Veronica counters.

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