Chapter 16

Gemma and Peet were in the parlour. Gemma was knitting something while Peet was quietly reading the day’s newspaper. They lifted their eyes when they heard me come in, and Gemma quickly placed her knitting down on the table beside her and hurried to greet me.

“Essa! We were worried. Why are you dressed like this?” She cooed all over me.

I was a bit surprised they had waited for my return. Was this what it was like to have concerned parents? I never really had that. My parents had been strict, but my Princess schedule never permitted me to do things like this. Not to mention I was almost always accompanied wherever I went. My parents never had to worry.

“I’m fine,” I said while trying to get out of Gemma’s hug. “I went to see about my business here in the city. I didn’t want to look too conspicuous, so I removed the dress.”

Her eyes became sad, but she quickly recovered and shook her head. Peet was also looking at me with a concerned look. He had placed the paper beside him and had