The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Chapter 102

"Every time I see you these days, you are moody. More moody than usual. She’s safe with Mary," Finn said, trying to cheer up Zayne. "I don’t know anyone foolish enough to bother Mary so no one will approach Rose. Why don’t you get it over with and tell her that you like her?"

"You want him to tell the woman who was surrounded by men trying to bed her that he likes her already?" Liam asked, wanting to sew Finn’s lips shut. "He has to wait."

"He saved her so doesn’t that-"

"She saved herself," Zayne corrected Finn. "And I told her that I care for her."

Finn couldn’t believe his ears. "You did? Then why wasn’t she uncomfortable around you this morning? She waved goodbye like a wife sending off her husband."

"She misunderstood what I told her," Zayne answered.

"Well, of course she did. Why didn’t you say that you like her instead?" Finn wondered as that would have made everything clear.

"Because she looked afraid and part of me hoped she would misunderstand because she would reject my feelings. It was not the right time to tell her and now is not the right time to speak about Rose. Focus on what is ahead of us," Zayne said, inspecting the palace gates that they entered.

All eyes were on them now that they had arrived and some guards were in a stance to point their weapons in their direction.

Zayne was focused on the men wearing the palace uniform and some wearing armour, waiting for them at the front of the wide open doors. The king was nowhere in sight. Not even a prince to greet their visitors. They easily showed how they lacked proper etiquette.

Zayne got down from his horse first.

"Greetings," Richard said, stepping in front of his men. "The king and his sons await you inside. Has the travel here been good?"

Richard’s smile hurt as it was painful to act like he cared about the people before him. It was unfortunate that the king tasked him with being the puppet to give the outsiders a warm welcome. If Alexander had done as he was told then someone else could have this duty.

"It was like any other trip. Though it is a bit insulting that your king could not come out to greet us. Are such manners not taught here?" Zayne asked, genuinely curious about the difference in manners royalty were to show.

Richard gritted his teeth. What sort of question was that? Why would the king wait outside for these few guests? How were any of them worthy of such pleasure? "People like you and me should not worry about what the royals do. It is safer for him to be inside."

"Is it? If I wanted to kill him, what makes him so certain I cannot do it when I see him inside? Easy now," Zayne said as Richard’s men became restless. "I am only trying to understand why he is not here. I would have greeted him if the roles were reversed but we were not all raised with manners."

"You-"

"I would watch how you flare up to our general and prince," Finn spoke up, going to Zayne’s side to defend him. "Surely you did your research to know that one of our princes became the general. Unless you want war to break out before we meet with your king, have them lower their weapons."

Richard forgot the stories that the prince had joined the army. It was hard to believe since he wasn’t used to the princes here taking part in war. "My mistake but he should watch his tongue. I am Richard Burton, commander of this sector of the king’s army. I will lead the way."

Zayne wanted to laugh as Richard failed to offer his hand for a proper greeting. It was fitting for a kingdom like this.

Amongst the king’s men, Mathias stood in disbelief that the man he saw that night had not only been the general but a prince. He had sent Graham to question this bastard and wanted to get even with him. He couldn’t do that now especially when Alexander was off entertaining the princess by the king’s orders.

They weren’t back to being close but Alexander would not stand by and watch him fight alone.

Zayne did a quick look at the men with Richard and easily spotted the coward. Mathias was easy to spot thanks to his expression like he was close to pissing himself. Zayne smiled, awaiting the moment he got the chance to speak to the bastard.

’What is wrong with him?’ Mathias wondered. Their run-in at the brothel happened so long ago. They could forget that night and move past it unless Graham had spoken to them already. Still, how would they know which soldier had sent Graham?

Mathias followed the others inside eagerly looking forward to King James putting the visitors in their place. Their guest might be a prince but he was here to see a king who mattered more. These outsiders were no longer at home and had to bow to King James.

As they walked, Zayne looked at the portraits on the wall. The faces of current and past royalty were displayed. He got a glimpse at King James, his wife and their three children. Two princes and one princess.

The king and his family lived quite comfortably while his people suffered. James made the mistake of not having Zayne come to this town first. Zayne might have believed the wonderful stories about this kingdom first if he had not seen the brothel.

Zayne entered a room where King James sat at the head of the table. The portraits were clearly done to improve his features.

For a meeting about a truce, James opted to dress up like he was to attend a ball. Countless gold rings on his fingers like he was trying to prove his wealth. Beside him was the queen who matched her husband’s display of wealth.

Zayne didn’t bother to look at the princes. "King James."

"King James Williams the second," James properly introduced himself. "My sons Henry and Mateo Williams."

The queen looked to her husband as if waiting for her introduction but then smiled as she knew it was not coming. She remained silent as this wasn’t a place for her to speak.

"You must forgive us as my daughter is running a little late. I look forward to the two of you meeting, Prince Zayne Hamilton," James said, nodding his head as he confirmed his plans. With his daughter wedded to a prince of a great nation, then he would greatly benefit from the union.

It was time his daughter stopped chasing after little soldiers and focused on a man like the one before him.

"Have a seat so we can get started. I am eager to get this truce over with and then we can talk about other things. I am curious to know the tales from your travels. Why did you take it upon yourself to enter the army instead of remaining in the palace," said James.

James would never be so foolish to send his sons out to war. He needed his heirs to be around for the day he would give up the throne.

Zayne headed to a chair at the other end of the table. "Royals should help protect and fight for their kingdom. We cannot all spend our days sitting on our asses doing nothing."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.