Chapter 87

Alyssa

Mistress Amelia led me to the back of the mansion, where a lovely table had been set out in the center of a vibrant garden. I was not the only guest, it appeared; several other young ladies dressed in lush gowns and laughed easily with one another, the gentle clatter of teacups in the air.

“Girls,” said Mistress Amelia, waving a hand to me. “Princess Alyssa has arrived. Princess, this is Claudia, Janice, Tulip and Milly.”

The girls waved giddily at me. They all looked so cheerful, so easy to get along with. They waved me to their table and nearly dragged me into a seat, desperate to learn about me. To know what it was to be a princess.

I did not have much experience with girls my age. My father never cared to allow the exploration of friendship among the nobles. I was only allowed to socialize with the children of his business partners, who were usually far older than me and far less interested in the things I enjoyed.

But I found it easy to talk to these girl, and I fell