The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 154

Chapter 154: Chapter 154

"Grandmother is bringing a tutor so I can learn before the ball tomorrow," Rose said, thinking her mother should be aware.

"Of course, she would. You have much to learn but I don’t want to throw so much on you at once. A tutor might not be so understanding of our situation. I can teach you the basics first and then bring in a tutor. You will be comfortable with me," said Madeline, knowing a tutor from Valerie might be hard on Rose.

"I would like that but how do I tell grandmother I do not want the tutor?" Rose asked, worried about Valerie’s reaction. Her grandmother already didn’t like her.

"I will tell her. It was my duty to find you a tutor and for the ball, you don’t need to attend if you don’t feel ready. The invitation was for Anna to attend and be courted by suitors. I can send Victor and stay here with you," Madeline offered.

Though the offer was kind Rose could not accept it. She couldn’t steal Madeline away on a night that Anna would want her mother near. "I want to go. I won’t dance so I don’t need to be good at it. Please teach me how a lady is to act so I don’t make a fool of myself or this family."

"Very well," Madeline replied, agreeing. "We can start the basics early tomorrow. There won’t be much to learn since you don’t want to dance and honestly, I want to shield you from speaking to many. They are just looking to gossip."

Madeline held Rose’s hand. "You will need to speak to Zayne now as he will make a wonderful dance partner for you to learn with. Even though you don’t want to dance you never know what can happen. You must speak to him to know why he hid being a prince."

"Okay," Rose nodded her head. "I know where he is."

"I will join you there. Rose, tell me honestly. Was there something said by anyone about you not being suited for Zayne? I was away for too long to protect you. That was careless of me," Madeline said, regretting her earlier decision. "Please tell me."

Rose hesitated. "I don’t want you to argue again."

"Rose, I cannot let someone disrespect you and I do nothing about it. I am your mother and regardless of who looks down on you, I will always be ready to defend you. It is my duty as your mother so please tell me," Madeline requested once more.

"Valerie told me of Zayne being a prince as well that men like him take women like me as mistresses. The brothel owner would not have me take customers because he wanted me for himself. He is the only one who troubled me. I have not-"

"Rose," Madeline spoke over Rose. "You do not need to explain. I believe you and even if something happened, it doesn’t change that you are my daughter. You are the victim. You were to be at home here but you were taken from us. Only an evil person would speak ill of you whilst knowing what happened."

"I will not allow you to sit with Valerie anymore. Anna will as she loves her grandmother and I will not take that away from her, but Valerie is never to be left with you if I am not around. I don’t even want her to be present at dinner," said Madeline.

Madeline continued, "I try not to chase her away or argue with her as then Victor has to escort his mother out. I don’t like being the reason he does not have his mother here but she leaves me no choice. There is something I must tell you after you speak to Zayne. Something I hope you can forgive me for."

Madeline worried about Rose’s reaction to who her real father was. What would Rose think of her for keeping this a secret? How would she be with Victor now? Would she want to see James?

Rose didn’t know what it was but she was ready to forgive her mother. Madeline never once seemed like a bad mother to her.

They returned to the drawing room where Victor poured a drink for Zayne.

"Where are the others?" Victor asked, going to Madeline and Rose’s side.

"They are looking at the gifts your sisters brought for Rose. Victor, I need your help to lift something. Come with me," Madeline said, holding out her hand to Victor. She smiled, hoping he would catch on to what she wanted. "You must come now."

Victor reluctantly held Madeline’s hand. Why were they leaving the young pair alone? "The door must remain open-"

Victor was silenced by Madeline pulling on his hand suddenly, taking him toward the door which she closed behind them.

Zayne drowned the last of the rum Victor gave him to taste and then said, "Your mother is quite strong."

"She is," Rose agreed, still stuck on the memory of Madeline pulling Victor. "I would have never placed her as able to pull him. I am jealous that you are in this quiet room," she said, turning to face Zayne. "You look right at home."

"I have a good talent for making myself comfortable. What has happened for your mother to bring you here? Has your grandmother troubled you?" Zayne asked, setting the empty glass to the side.

"You noticed she is not fond of me?"

"I notice many things when it comes to you, Rose. She is making it hard for me to keep my record of never arguing with anyone’s grandmother. So, what has she done now?" Zayne questioned, knowing Valerie had done something.

"Are you truly a prince?" Rose asked, needing this answered first. "You did not tell me."

"I don’t like to speak of it. I am a general in the army and when I return home, I do not reside in the palace. I greatly enjoyed that you didn’t know. I don’t regret not speaking of it as it would have been harder for you to accept my advances. Are you angry with me?" Zayne asked as he stood up.

"I am not. I am only confused as to why you wouldn’t tell me but I know that I have my secrets so I cannot be upset with you. You didn’t know that I came from a good home before you shared your feelings so why did you show interest in me? A woman from a brothel," Rose had to know.

"I thought I answered this already, Rose. I like you as you are, not for what you could offer me with status. Did you not believe my confession?" Zayne questioned, his finger now hooked on the necklace he gave her.

Rose started to feel like all the air in her body was slowly leaving because of how close she was to Zayne. "I believed it. You must understand my side to be confused as to why a prince would settle for me. Valerie said princes take women like me as a mistress. I do not want to be a mistress."

Zayne released the necklace and moved his hand to Rose’s chin to keep her looking at him. His thumb was positioned to touch her lips. He felt her flinch at first but she did not run from him. "You will never be a mistress, Rose. If anyone were to try making you a mistress, I would give the order for my ships to come and my army to storm this land."

"Your grandmother is a fool who doesn’t know anything. I want you," Zayne confessed, pressing his thumb against her lip. He would love nothing more than to kiss her now. "I want every part of you to be mine and I will belong to you. I want you so much that I think I have started to love you. I know I am starting to love you," he changed his words.

Zayne moved his thumb across Rose’s lip, finding pleasure in just touching her. "I would like to kiss you right now but I won’t. It is nearing time you make your decision, Rose. Will you accept me or keep running away?"

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