Princesses Don't Get Fat
Page 10
A dazed Pat completed the job, gathering what seemed edible of the chocolate cake and depositing it on a large dish.
“Thank you.” Valeria smiled at him and then turned to Ralph. Her gaze fell on the long, full apron he was wearing, and she burst out laughing.
“Oh, Ralph.” She leaned against him, shaking with laughter. “This…is…the best birthday…ever…”
Red-faced and frustrated, Ralph yanked off the apron and tossed it on the table.
Valeria finally stopped laughing. She grabbed the dish containing Ralph’s chocolate cake, and held out her hand to him.
“Would you like to join me for tea?”
Ralph answered by taking the dish from her and lacing his fingers through hers.
They walked hand in hand to the balcony. Several maids blushed and giggled when they passed. A couple who knew Valeria well stared at the broken cake Ralph was carrying.
“Pat told me everything,” Valeria said, pushing the door open. “Including the part when you smashed the eggs on the table.”
Ralph’s shoulders sagged. “I should have found someone else to teach me.”
“No, it’s all right. I’m just too perceptive.” Valeria smiled. “And to think that I suspected you had found another girl,” she said with a mischievous wink. “Some nice young lady who doesn’t consume a pound of food a day.”
Ralph knew she was teasing him, but he still couldn’t help feeling irritated. To think that he went through all that trouble, only to hear her telling him that she doubted his fidelity?
He still had her hand in his. Setting the dish of cake on the table, he pulled her into his arms.
“Don’t ever suggest such a thing,” he said, with an undertone of authoritativeness that befitted a future sovereign. “What kind of fiancé do you take me to be? You’re the best thing that has happened to me.”
“I know,” she said, wrapping her arms around him. He smelled of butter and chocolate. “And you’re the reason why I’m staying here.”
Ralph took hold of her chin and tilted her head upwards. Valeria couldn’t help a thrill of anticipation. She closed her eyes and awaited his kiss.
“Arrrgh!”
The two of them broke apart. Effie, who was carrying a pot of freshly brewed tea, gasped. Her face scarlet, Effie set the tea tray on the table and scurried away, muttering that she hadn’t seen anything, hadn’t heard anything, and would the prince and princess please forgive her for interrupting.
Valeria and Ralph looked at each other and laughed.
Nearby, a robin chirped and a few sparrows joined in. Sunlight poured on the balcony, engulfing both of them in the balmy warmth of spring.
If you enjoyed Valeria’s story, read about her wedding in the next book, Princesses Don’t Fight in Skirts. While it features a different princess, Valeria will make a few appearances.
Additionally, if you’d like to know when the third Princess book is released, please sign up for my mailing list at http://www.ayaling.com.
Thanks for reading!
~Aya~
*For a short introduction of Princesses Don’t Fight in Skirts, please turn the page for a short introduction—>
~PRINCESSES DON’T FIGHT IN SKIRTS~
Who says a girl can't wear a dress and wield a sword?
It has become fashionable now for princesses to run away and seek adventure. Princess Arianna of Linderall, however, is willing to stay home and be proper. She screams when she sees spiders, enjoys sewing and dancing, and always looks at her reflection first thing in the morning.
What happens when her great aunt, the first woman warrior in history, decides that Ari is too "traditional" and sends her off to the Royal Rivieran Academy of Fighting Arts? Can she survive the vigorous physical training and earn the respect of her peers? Moreover, can she attract the attention of a prince even when she’s forced to relinquish makeup and dresses during training?