The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 121

Chapter 121: Chapter 121

"I do not need to-"

"Stay in the water. We promised the man you came with that we would get you all tidied up. We’re going to throw away this dress."

Rose was lost for words as a group of women gathered around her, taking away the dress Janice had bought and fixed up for her. "It could be washed," she said.

Laughter filled the room.

"He said your name was Rose. You cannot enter the madam’s business and think she would let you keep that filthy dress. You are lucky she took you in at this hour but someone threw water with the droppings of an animal in it so, how could she not? Just sit," Charlotte, one of the women helping to clean up Rose said.

Rose worried about where Zayne had brought her as it reminded her of a brothel. Except, there were dresses, shoes, hats, and bags all around. A separate room with a tub and something that reminded Rose of flowers.

"Where is this place?" Rose inquired.

"How do you not know us? Have you been living around a rock? This is where all the young women looking for a husband come to get cleaned and dressed up to meet the man of their dreams. The madam has gone beyond just making dresses. She wants to create art by tending to her customers so carefully," Charlotte explained.

Charlotte placed more petals in Rose’s water to have the scent get rid of the foul stench Rose came in with. "We shall make you look pretty again and send you back to that man. He has paid plenty for us to do this tonight."

"Tell us," the woman picking the flowers out of Rose’s hair started. "Where did you meet the foreigner? How did you get him to fall for such an innocent-looking woman like you? I would have thought he wanted someone more seductive."

Charlotte splashed water on Olivia. "It is rude for you to speak of what he wants before his lady."

"I am not his lady," Rose replied, once more trying to get up but she was forced to sit. She never had anyone bathe her before.

Charlotte didn’t believe it. "You don’t have to lie to us. We won’t share about your relationship. Normally, it is the parents or the ladies themselves who pay for us to prepare them. I have never seen a man come to pay for our services. There is something between you."

"He came in shielding you from everyone outside and called on others to watch you. He looked like he was going out to kill whoever ruined your dress. Oh, to have a man like that. Stop throwing water at me!" Olivia yelled, frustrated by her dress getting wet.

"Do not dream of him. He is taken," Charlotte said, looking down at Rose and her uncomfortable state. "We are all women here. No need to be shy. You have worked a lot," she noted just from looking at the palm of Rose’s hand. "Enjoy this experience. Many cannot afford it so casually."

"How expensive is it?" Rose asked, worried that Zayne might have paid too much.

Rose wanted to go home but Zayne insisted that she come here to get cleaned up and continue to enjoy her first festival.

Rose couldn’t go back to her earlier spirits as the dress she loved most was ruined and she worried about Zayne going after the person who did this to her. He was confident that he knew who it was and that he would be back soon.

"The man you came with has paid for it. Why must you worry about the price? The least you could do for him is smile when he comes. Right now, you don’t look so happy," said Charlotte.

Rose looked to the door where Mary and Finn were waiting on the other side. She didn’t know how Zayne found them so fast and rather than the two of them staying here to guard her, Rose wanted them to be at Zayne’s side.

What was he going to do to the person who ruined her dress?

Outside the shop, Zayne and Liam searched for where the princess and her guards had wandered off.

If the princess wanted to get away with what she had done, she should have waited for another day. Zayne recognised the woman who ran away after soaking Rose because of her dress. It matched the dress worn by the maid standing with the princess.

"Let’s not do anything stupid. You can’t harm the princess over a dress. That would give the king something to hold over our heads," Liam tried to reason with Zayne.

Liam understood the frustration and the anger Zayne was feeling right now but it was a dangerous game.

"There could be a war if you hurt the princess and you have been trying to find Rose’s parents. That can’t happen if everyone is running away trying to get to safety. Remember, you’re supposed to be the one who makes smart decisions because what you do affects all of us," said Liam.

Zayne ignored Liam as his focus was set on the princess walking around like she had not ruined someone’s night because of her jealousy.

"Princess," Zayne called, getting her attention.

"Back so soon and without your companion," Kiara said, pleased with Rose’s disappearance. This was the way it should be. "Is she not enjoying the festival? I thought my father did well with it."

"Do not speak like you do not know why I am here. One hug has you acting a fool?" Zayne questioned.

It would be so easy to snap her neck but Zayne had to consider the consequences of it. It would be impossible for Rose to find her home if a war continued now as Liam said.

"You should be careful with what you say about the princess of the kingdom you stand in now. I have not been acting a fool and I do not like the tone in which you speak to me. Watch it," Kiara warned. There was only so much disrespect she could ignore. "Do not blame me for your companion running away."

Zayne ignored the princess and looked at the maid he saw. His guess was right as the maid shook with fear. "Your maid ruined Rose’s dress. While you let her take the fall for what you ordered her to do-"

"Take her head," Kiara interjected, stepping to the right for Zayne to grab Quin. "If she did something wrong she should be punished."

Quinn looked down at the ground. It didn’t come as a surprise that the princess would be so quick to sacrifice her though it had been the princess who gave the order. Still, every part of her body shook with fear. She was to be rewarded, not killed.

"What are you waiting for? Do you want my guards to hold her steady? Before you kill her, I would like to know what she did to your companion. For her to mess with Alexander’s sister upsets me," Kiara said, shaking her head at the pitiful Quinn.

Alexander saw right through Kiara. He knew his mistake would lead to trouble for Rose. What he didn’t like was Zayne aiming his sword at Quinn. The maid was innocent so Alexander used his sword to block Zayne’s. "Do not."

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