It had been exactly a week since the prince's visit, and the house was still abuzz with every word and look and complement and mannerism of his from when he'd actually been there. The girls were giddy and prattled on about what they would name their royal children should they marry the prince. Their mother looked on with quiet affection for the whole affair, but Chammielle desired greatly to hide away with a good book. Preferably not a romantic novel like her half sisters were currently devouring.

"Oh! When he kissed our hands goodbye, I thought for certain I would faint!"

Ianthe placed her hand to her head and made a cooing noise like a dove that would fall from the sky.

A week had passed and she still couldn't forget it. He was a little infuriating and a little interesting at the same time. Chammielle was certain none of them had scratched the surface. The back of her hand tingled once more and she decided she didn't want to either.

"Oh! And his justaucorps was so elegant! I'm sure the fabric cost a small fortune alone! He looked as beautiful as a girl, but he was so very dashing!"

"Yes, he is a prince, he is charming, and one of you may very well marry him. But in the meantime, can we have but a shred of sanity restored to these walls? For my sake?"

"Papa!"

The chorus greeted him as he stepped in from the foyer. The girls all leapt up and rushed the man with graying temples to hold him and surround him with kisses. Chammielle was simply tall enough to land one on his cheek over the other three.

"We missed you!"

"How was Franca?"

"Did you hear Prince William came by last week?"

The bespectacled man looked to his wife who stood and greeted him with a nod and a kiss.

"It's true. The rounds have begun. We should be expecting an invitation any day now."

Chammielle perked at that.

"Any day? I thought it would be a month before the invitations were sent out."

Lord Kuchen nodded and dobbed his finger on the end of her speckled nose.

"Yes, it does take a month from the day of his first visit. But my dear, you forget, the house of Kuchen is last this year."

"Last!"

He nodded, a smile on his face looking at the daughter of his first love.

"Indeed. I dare say the royal invitation may very well come tomorrow. Which is why I've brought you all gifts from Franca."

The blonde young ladies and their mother melted into a gaggle of giggling school girls at the mention of gifts. The footman and head servant came in with trunks in hand. Large ones at that. Two more men were sent out to retrieve the rest of the luggage and instructed to bring it all to the second floor in the main sitting room. The girls jumped and clapped and danced in place, and Lady Delphi kissed her smart husband on the mouth. Gifts were how they knew he loved them.

The girls hurried upstairs and the Lord and Lady moved arm and arm together. Chammielle followed, curious of what he'd brought them this time. The previous trip had all been jewels.

"Here we are...Aster, a golden silk ball gown, two tulle garden dresses, and an evening dress in dark plum that I am told is about to be the height of fashion."

The dresses were paraded before her and Chammielle could see her absolute delight all over face despite how she covered her mouth.

"Papa! Oh they're stunning!"

"As are you, my dear. Now, Ianthe, for you there is silver silk stitched with purple embroidery wisteria. Two more tulle dresses, and an evening gown with jewells at the lapel and waist. How do you like them?"

Ianthe was equally grateful, but her response was characteristically more dramatic.

"Papa! You do spoil us so! However will we wear them all and not outshine the other?!"

She leapt forward and hugged the jewelled dress. Ianthe had a thing for sparkly baubles. It didn't matter if they were cheap or priceless. Though she suspected they were costly.

"Chryssia, pink gold with rose ribbons, tulle dresses, and your evening gown is embroidered with chrysanthemums. My dear, you shall look absolutely beautiful."

The third triplet bypassed the dresses and hugged her father instead. Her thank you was quiet but heartfelt. Chammielle smiled at the youngest. She was growing up. What would she do with them?

Lord Kuchen patted her back a while before her stepmother stepped up and whispered something in his ear.

"Of course. Chammielle, that smaller trunk over there is just for you. I believe I have a signed copy of Giuletta Strauss's complete collection of concertos."

Books!

Chammielle smiled widely and went for the trunk. The books were on top, and cradling them was the softest picnic blanket embroidered with blue birds and meadowlarks she'd ever felt. She envisioned many days reading in the garden ahead.

"Papa, thank-"

She turned and behind her stood her whole family, each holding a dress.

"You didn't think I'd leave you out, did you?"

She stood, enamored with the elegant designs. Normally he only ever brought her a lovely bodice and shawl in the way of clothes. Her half sisters loved fancy dresses, but she preferred comfort and the ability to let her mind soar. These were exquisite, and she could hardly believe they were for her. A butter yellow tulle gown had tiny pink and white daisies littering one shoulder and across the bust to the waist. It was her favorite. They looked like chamomile flowers.

"Papa...I don't know what to say..."

"Good. For my quick witted Chami, no words speaks volumes. I do beg you to try them on. If they're uncomfortable we can have them altered."

She didn't know what to do, so she leaned forward and let her head land on his chest. Tears filled her eyes at the amazing amount of money he'd spent on her. She liked bakery trips and books. They were far cheaper than outings to the city or the opera like his wife and her sisters enjoyed. She preferred the simple joys. But now that she saw his willingness and even desire to shower her with the same gifts...it touched her. It was something she didn't know she was missing.

"My dear, sweet Chammielle..."

She wiped at her tears and looked up at him.

"I'm afraid there's more gifts for you to cry over... Your sisters sent word while I was away. Perhaps this did the trick, but there's also a large box of Francan bon bons in my things."

She laughed at that. This was her family. This was her home.

What would she ever do without them?

...

The night had set in, the stars were out, and the moon was nearly full. Lord Kuchen was already in bed with a book, his spectacles down the length of his nose. Lady Delphi slid into bed beside him, but not before lighting a fresh candle for him at his bedside.

"Thank you for prompting me earlier. Chammielle does such a good job at hiding her emotions, I forget she's still a girl in her heart."

Delphi nodded and rubbed at her temple.

"I don't know how to teach her confidence. She's always been so placating and it's a bit frustrating. She doesn't know how rare her looks are. I can't see her without those ruddy and youthful freckles, though together we've tried. They're a gift, but she seems to see them as a curse."

"Hush, you've done your best. She'll find her way, you've done a good job being her mother. You believe that don't you?"

She sighed. Such things were often on her mind. She'd been married for two years and expecting when the little girl covered in strawberry seed spots had been brought into the home. Chammielle had been an adorable pink bundle. Who couldn't love her? And she was a fine lady now.

"I feel I've hindered her in some respects...but I don't know if I can fix that. I only know how my mother raised me, though I've tried to be kinder."

"Tell me then, my lovely wife and the most beautiful girl in the kingdom, if the girls go to the palace and the Prince chooses Chammielle over one of your natural daughters, how would you feel?"

She hesitated a moment. Would she begrudge her for taking such an opportunity from Aster or Ianthe or Chryssia?

"She's my daughter, too. I want what's best for all of them. And besides, his highness's choice is what's best for Garten, and for us all."

"That's my golden love."

They kissed and he cupped her cheek. She'd been but eighteen when the Queen had betrothed them. The years had not been so kind to him as they had to her. But he was everything she could have ever hoped for in a husband. And so much more.

He set his book aside and blew out the candle.

In the dark she heard him speak.

"My dear, I hope you don't take offense at my turning down your thoughtfulness. But I do believe I have left you alone for far too long..."