Deerhurst nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”
“Then you will join us?”
“Sure pet, I’d love to meet this Miss Trumpet of yours.”
“She’s a true lady.”
“Just like you.”
She pulled a face. “I’m a princess, not a lady.”
If his daughter wanted to be a princess, Deerhurst would damn well find her a prince. “A princess, then.”
“They wear crowns.” She adjusted the small one on her head. “So do I.”
“I cannot argue with that logic, princess.”
“They also wear pretty gowns.”
“That’s right.”
“They rule kingdoms!”
“Yes, yes. When they become queens,” Deerhurst agreed.
“Not the ones I mean. They don’t become queens to rule. They just rule.”
“Fair enough.” Who was he to disagree? “What else does the princess in these kingdoms do?”
“They feed the poor.”
“Very noble.”
“They also rescue little children from doglike monsters.”
Deerhurst paused, but then nodded. “This is a very honorable kingdom.”
“And they eat cake every day!”
“That sounds a bit unhealthy.”
“It’s healthy cake!”
“Is it made from vegetables?”
Her lips puckered. “No.”
“Then it’s—” Deerhurst paused when she crossed her arms over her chest, “—a good thing cakes aren’t made from vegetables.”
“Vegetables taste like dirt.”
“In my kingdom, however, you must eat them.”
“I don’t think you should eat them in any kingdom.”
“One day, when you rule your own kingdom, you can outlaw vegetables, until then, you must eat them.”
“Very well, but only until I rule.”
