The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 149

Chapter 149: Chapter 149

"You didn’t need to follow me, Victor. Someone has to be inside with Rose," Madeline said, rushing to wipe her tears before Victor could see them. "I only need a moment alone."

"My mother knows she is on thin ice. One more word out of her and I will have her leave. Look at me, Madeline. Do not hide your tears from me," Victor said, standing behind his wife to wait for her to face him.

"Twenty-one years have gone by and she still thinks I am playing a trick on this family. It is not that I keep secrets from her. She gets upset and tries to argue before I can fully explain. I have decided to endure it since I did ruin your life," Madeline said, knowing she greatly messed up.

"You have never once ruined my life-"

"James is out to get you because I left him for you. Out of all the men in the palace, I fell in love with his best friend and then married him. I know what that makes me. You could have been in the palace if not for me. I know that. I know you could have been so much more. Your mother has every right to not accept me," said Madeline.

Victor was set to be the new lord and had a close friendship with James. He was expected to do great things in the palace and with James by his side, he had power many would dream of. All that shattered over a woman offered to the king from a fallen family.

"She does not," Victor disagreed. "How many times must I remind you two that I was well aware of what I got myself into? I would not change my decision then. I was trying to cut ties with James before you came. You gave me the push I needed to get out of the palace."

"Trust me, I am quite used to my mother not listening. You never have to accept anyone looking down on you even if it concerns my mother. You and my children matter more to me than this title or what I could have in the palace. If I had stayed by his side, I might have slowly turned into a bastard. Madeline," Victor said, touching her shoulder.

There was never a moment when he felt deceived or tricked by Madeline as she had cried to him that she was pregnant. He went through with the wedding and took on the responsibility because he loved her.

"I don’t want the girls to see me like this. I need to wash my face first before I go back. Please watch over them until I return. I need someone there by their side," Madeline said, fearing what was said in their absence. "I will tell Rose before anyone steals that chance from me. I just hope she never wants to get to know him."

Though Madeline had not been in the palace in over twenty years it was no secret how the king’s children not born from Lilian were treated. They were forgotten, all slowly leaving this world without anyone realising.

"Rose is smart. She listens well to Zayne and he speaks the truth about the palace. She might not want to go see her father but if she does, I don’t think it would be good to try forcing her to stay here. She is at the age when she can make her own decision. We can only be waiting to support her," Victor said, disliking it but he had no choice.

Victor also worried about Rose going to the palace. If James had known he had shared a daughter with Madeline, his unhealthy obsession with Madeline might have returned. James might use Rose as a pawn to get Madeline back in the palace, something Victor would never allow.

Neither Rose nor Madeline would ever be safe around James and Lilian. They either end up trapped or killed in the palace.

Madeline turned around to face Victor. "I know my appearance must be awful now. It will worry the girls. I won’t allow your mother to get to me today. No one should get under my skin right now. Not when I am too happy about Rose’s return. Stop staring."

Madeline turned away from Victor, trying to hide her appearance.

"You are beautiful when you cry."

"No matter how I look, you say that I am beautiful. I do not trust your words that my appearance is good. I will be back shortly. Go to the girls," Madeline said, tiptoeing to kiss Victor. "Go," she shooed him away.

Victor hesitantly walked away to go back to where the others were. "Don’t be long or I will come again."

Inside the drawing-room, Valerie couldn’t take any more holding back questioning Rose.

"So, are you interested in having tutors like your sister and cousins have? I have never visited one but I can only imagine you were not taught in a brothel," said Valerie.

Zayne looked up from Rose’s hair which was the most interesting thing in the room other than Rose herself. He sensed that it wasn’t just curiosity when Valerie spoke to Rose. There was judgement in her voice. Judgement in her gaze which she didn’t try to hide.

It was there when Valerie looked at him and then when she heard of Rose being from the brothel.

"Yes, I would," Rose replied, excited at the mention of tutors. "I am eager to learn. Zayne was so kind to teach me."

’Teach you what exactly?" Valerie asked, her suspicion growing. Why was he going out of his way to help Rose? How long had he suspected she was a missing lady? How did he know to look here?

"To read. He has also taught me about where he has travelled. Thanks to Zayne, I can now read a map. You should see his wide collection of treasures from his travels. He has many things I have never seen before," said Rose, turning to Anna.

Anna shared Rose’s interest in things from the outside world. Since she could not see the palace, she would settle for seeing trinkets from the outside world. "Like what? I want to see them too. The merchants who came from the seas always come with the best jewels."

"You shouldn’t bother yourself with such things. What comes to the sea or the sea itself isn’t something you should hold interest in. Neither of you have any reason to travel across the sea or go down to the ports. You must focus on finding a good husband. You have not stopped, have you?" Valerie questioned Anna.

"I have not. I will find a good suitor," Anna answered. She was reminded of how much time she wasted sitting down here while other young ladies were searching. "I have balls to attend."

"Good. I don’t have any faith in my other granddaughters since they lack the talent to stay focused so I am depending on you to bring good news. A wedding must come soon. And Rose," Valerie said, inspecting the older one.

Rose should have been married already with a child or two. She was a little past the ripe age many looked to marry. Then there was the brothel and the fact she could not read. There wasn’t much they could use besides the Ambrose name to find her a good husband when the time came.

"We have much work to do if we want to get you involved in this season. We cannot let another year pass without you properly debuting. You are too old to go another year. The best tutors have been taken to prepare the young women but I will have one come to you tomorrow," said Valerie.

Valerie needed the best if she was going to make something out of Rose.

"Thank you. I will try to learn quickly," Rose answered, eager to learn more. This gift was far better than the dresses or jewels gifted to her.

Valerie thought Rose’s enthusiasm meant they could succeed in changing her. For Rose to be better, she had to be ready to learn.

Valerie became uneasy upon noticing Zayne’s gaze. "Is there something you want to ask me?"

"No," Zayne replied, decorating his finger with Rose’s hair once more. "I am only watching and waiting."