The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Chapter 134

Madeline slowly stood up, taking in the sight of the young woman standing behind her husband. She couldn’t recall the last time she had seen someone who resembled her standing before her.

Seeing the young woman shocked her as much as her husband letting them come to her. Madeline never expected to see any more of the false claims since Victor made the threat he would kill all those coming to lie.

"Victor, is it?" She asked, her hands clutching her dress. Madeline could not have her heart broken once more. She had finally come out of that sunken place to take care of her other daughter and be a good wife to her husband.

"We will leave the two of you to speak. Come," Victor looked at Zayne. It was time for the women to talk.

Zayne nudged Rose forward so she wouldn’t try to leave with him and stepped out with Victor.

Rose watched as the door closed, leaving her with Lady Ambrose.

"Come closer," Madeline said, her body frozen in place. Her knees felt weak and if she took one step she might fall.

Rose did as Madeline requested, taking small steps toward the lady.

Madeline covered her mouth, tears filling her eyes as that feeling was finally back. A connection she never felt with those who came claiming to be her daughter. Still, there was one way to confirm.

Madeline smiled, taking a shaky step forward to Rose. She placed her left hand on Rose’s shoulder as she knew the young lady shared the same emotions before her. "I must look," she said, using her right hand to move Rose’s hair to the left.

Madeline leaned forward, looking for a mark her daughter had.

Rose didn’t know what the lady was looking for. No one ever told her that she had a mark there but then again, Rose bathed quickly in the brothel and her hair was always down. "I-"

"Rosaline," Madeline cried, embracing her daughter. "You’ve come home to me child."

Rose didn’t move her hands to join in embracing her mother. The resemblance was there but Rose couldn’t believe that it was confirmed this was her family. Her mind was already prepared to be turned away and have to search elsewhere even when she saw the portraits.

"You are my mother," Rose said, slowly accepting it.

"We searched for you for so long. I always knew you would return to us. You have grown so much and I missed all of it. Forgive me," Madeline requested, leaning back to get a good look at Rose. "I am a terrible mother. You were taken during my watch. We should have found you."

"You wouldn’t have. I was kept away where no one could see me," Rose said, her hands resting on Madeline’s back to comfort her. "I thought I didn’t have anyone waiting for me. That I was sold."

Madeline palmed Rose’s cheeks. "We did not sell you. We loved you dearly. You were taken from us. If I had awoken earlier, we might have been able to follow their tracks but I wasn’t found unconscious in time. I had been sitting outside nearby with you when I was attacked and when I woke up, I learned you were gone."

Rose noticed a scar on Madeline’s forehead. From afar it wasn’t noticeable but now that they stood close, it was visible. "You were hit on the head?"

Madeline touched the scar which served as a constant reminder of that day. "We did not understand then why they knocked me out, taking only you when they could have gotten a good reward for taking us both. No one ever came asking for money to give you back."

"Oh, where are my manners?" Madeline wiped her eyes. "You should sit so we can speak. You must be tired from wherever you travelled from. I," she tried to speak but was overwhelmed by emotions. "Forgive me. I am normally more put together than this."

"I don’t mind standing. It feels nice to be held," said Rose.

It was different from touching anyone else. It was warm and Madeline’s touch felt like how the safe corners Rose hid in calmed her.

"I would like that too," Madeline replied, trying to fight her tears. "I hope that you will forgive us. Eight years is a long time but I promise, we were searching for you. We spared no money and time to search for you. It is only when my mind was not in the right place that I had to accept to everyone saying you were gone."

For years Madeline was so caught up in trying to find Rose that she started to forget about Anna and being beside her husband. The guilt of not protecting her daughter by having the chance to fight off the kidnappers filled Madeline with thoughts of taking her life to join her late daughter.

It was the only apology she could think of for not protecting Rosaline but one day she snapped out of it as others needed her.

"The town guards where I lived did not help with anyone believed to be missing and the brothel owner where I stayed did not let me out of his sight so I was hidden away there. You wouldn’t have found me even with your money. Graham wouldn’t have let me be taken," said Rose.

Madeline’s heart ached upon knowing Rose had been placed in a brothel. She was hoping someone had found her and raised her in a good home or if Rosaline had passed like many believed it was done peacefully.

Madeline held back her tears as Rose was the one who needed to be comforted. "I am sorry. You should never endure such a life. Where can we find this Graham?"

"He is dead. Zayne killed him for me and he is the one who helped me find you. He has been most helpful since I met him," Rose said, wanting Zayne to be acknowledged for his efforts.

"Then, I must treat him well. Is he your lover?" Madeline questioned, curious about if Rose had found a partner. If she had another family now.

"No. I work as his maid. That is all. He is the general of another kingdom, here to see the king-"

"You visit the palace?" Madeline panicked.

"No. Zayne said that it is dangerous there so I have never seen it but I have seen the princess up close at the festival. Is it dangerous for me to go there as your daughter? Danger with the queen?" Rose asked, recalling her reaction to the queen’s name.

Madeline worried about Rose getting herself noticed by the queen. "I will tell you but first, there is much for me to know about you. Everyone must know that Rosaline is finally home. Is something wrong?"

"I know Rosaline is the name you gave me but I am not used to it. I have gone as Rose for so long," Rose said, needing there to be one change at a time.

Madeline smiled, holding onto Rose’s hand which she never wanted to let go of. "Then you can be Rose. I do not mind what you wish to be called. I am just happy to have you back in my life. I will do my best to make up for the terrible years you endured in that place, Rose."

Madeline patted Rose’s hand. "I want to properly meet the man who brought you to us and there is something I must show you."

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