Page 33 of Markets & Mooncakes

Do I love baking because I love him? Or do I love him because I love baking? Nate and baking have been so entwined for so long that I'm not sure I'm ever going to know the answer. But I suppose it doesn't matter. The only thing that does is that he feels the same.

I take a bite of the bread and butter pudding and let out a low hum. "That's delicious."

"It is," he agrees.

"It really sorts out the salt problem. You would never know that it was too salty before that." I dig in for more, being careful not to burn my mouth on the hot fruit. "It's a good use of the tea loaf."

He nods. "If I end up with leftover tea loaf of another kind, I think I might do this. I can't really send up a bread and butter pudding for a royal meal, but for a private one, I could."

"I would eat it. I think Veronica would like it too. She likes fruit cake."

"Then next time the two of you have lunch, I'll send one up."

I let out a sigh and enjoy the rest of my food. This is the best part of coming down to the kitchen, and I hope that even as things change for us, this does not.

Chapter 14

The market is bustling with people, many of them shouting about their wares or trying to haggle over prices. That's not something I've ever really done because I haven't had the need to, which is good because it seems exhausting.

Veronica and Lady Sun Jinglan are up ahead, with a royal guard and one from the ambassador's household keeping track of every move. There are a couple more royal guards behind us as well, but they're keeping enough of a distance that I feel like I'm in a bubble with Nate.

I'm glad that he's been able to come with us, it has made it feel a lot less like Mama is forcing me to try and socialise with our guest. Not that I mind as much as I thought I would. She's told me interesting things about food and dragons, so that's already better than anticipated.

Despite the guards, it doesn't feel like anyone is paying any attention to us, which is probably true. Artie comes down to the village a lot, so it isn't as if the guards are a new thing for most of the villagers.

I reach out and take Nate's hand in mine, looking at him to see how he responds to the initiation.

He gives my hand a squeeze and smiles back, making me certain that he's comfortable with it. It's not the same as being open about our relationship in court, but there's something about being in the village and making it clear that we're together that makes me feel good. I think it's because I don't have to worry about hiding anything.

"She looks happy," he says, nodding towards where Lady Sun Jinglan is leaning over one of the stalls and talking to Veronica.

"I don't think I would be that comfortable if I'd just moved to a new kingdom and didn't know anyone or the customs or even the language. She said that she started learning it to come here," I say, a little in awe of the other woman.

"Maybe it's the welcome that you and Princess Veronica have given her," Nate suggests. "This is the third time you've taken her to see things, and she's barely been here for two weeks."

I frown. "I suppose that's true. I just don't think of myself as particularly welcoming. Not that I want to be unwelcoming. I'm just...me." I wave my hand down myself as if trying to explain what that means.

"Well, I happen to like you," Nate responds. "Do you want some mulled wine?"

"Yes, actually. I'm glad it's not raining, but it is cold."

He laughs and directs me over to the stall, pulling out his coin purse.

"You should let me..."

"No," he counters. "I don't get to buy you things very often. Let me get these."

"But why should you pay when the money can come from my household?"

"Please, Evie?"

Despite not seeing the logic, I nod. It seems to be important to him, and I certainly don't want to upset him.

One of my guards steps over to the stall and exchanges a few words with the stallholder before taking a mug and drinking some.

He nods to Nate, who steps up to the merchant and pays for two mugs of mulled wine, handing one of them to me. I wrap my hands around it and take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of cinnamon and lemon along with the deep red wine that's been used as the base. I take a sip, glad that it hasn't been overly sweetened, even if I like sweet things.

"Thank you," I say to Nate.