Teaser Tuesday #128

Buondì!
Il Teaser Tuesday di oggi è tratto da una novella che fa da intramezzo tra il primo e il secondo libro della serie “Unfinished Fairy Tales” di Aya Ling. Avevo letto il primo volume tempo fa e ricordo di averlo apprezzato, quindi ho deciso di continuare la serie. I retellings mi piacciono sempre un sacco!

This isn’t the first time that I’ve gone to Poppy’s house. Still, it is usually her visiting me in the palace. Mr. Davenport is often away since he has an internship with a big-name barrister. Sir Montgomery hired a cook, a housekeeper, and a maid for Poppy. Even though he looked murderous when he arrived at Poppy’s elopement, he really does love his daughter.
When Edward and I arrive, a maid answers the door and ushers us into a neat, comfortable parlor. Edward declines an offer to take his coat, as he’ll be leaving soon to see Henry. When Poppy enters, her hand flies to her mouth, then a huge grin spreads over her face. Sometimes she still seems like a young girl, not an old, matronly married woman.
“Kat! Oh, and Your Highness!” She sweeps into a deep curtsy. “What a wonderful surprise! I was bored out of my life, and I dearly wished to pay you a visit, but Jonathan is adamant that I remain home till I’m fully recovered.”
“Is it the morning sickness?” I ask. While she doesn’t look as bright and energetic as on the croquet field, she doesn’t look pale or sickly at all. “You’re not throwing up your food or anything?”
Poppy looks surprised. “How did you know that?”
Uh-oh. Another piece of knowledge that I, from the modern world, am not supposed to know. Even though I’ve told Poppy that I don’t come from Athelia, she hasn’t really believed me.
“I . . . I came across it when I was reading a book. You know how much I like to read.”
Poppy looks a little puzzled, but then she gestures to the dining room. “Let’s sit down, and I’ll ask Mary to bring some refreshments for you. Do you prefer coffee or tea, Your Highness?” There is a timid note in her voice as she glances at Edward. He isn’t a tyrant, but I guess he might still seem intimidating toward his subjects.
Edward shakes his head. “My apologies, but I must be going. Henry is expecting me.” He drops a quick kiss on my head. “I will be back in two hours. Do not leave without me.”
When he leaves, Poppy visibly relaxes. She sinks into her chair and lets out a sigh of relief.
I giggle. “You look like an ogre just left.”
“I can’t help it. He is the prince, after all. When I came to stay with Claire, she couldn’t stop talking about him, as though he’s a deity sent from heaven.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but he’s human. Like you and me.”
Poppy grins. “I could tell that he really loves you. There is this smoldering flame in his eyes when he looks at you.” She puts a hand on my arm. “I’m so glad that you accepted his proposal, Kat. I know this means you’ll have to sacrifice your chance of going back to your family, but we are here for you. We’ll be your family.”
I smile, touched, but I don’t bother to correct her. “Enough about me,” I say, bringing out the parcel I’ve been carrying. “Here—this is for you . . . I mean, when the baby is born.”
Poppy protests that there’s no need to be so generous, but I place the parcel firmly in her lap. “Open it,” I command in a tone that sounds eerily like Edward’s. Only a few weeks in the palace, and his authoritative attitude is already rubbing off on me.

Chapter 4 – PRINCESS OF ATHELIA di Aya Ling

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