The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 158

Chapter 158: Chapter 158

"Your aunts and cousins should be here already. You didn’t get to meet your cousins last night so this is your chance now but first, we must find a nice spot to stand so we can look around," Madeline informed Rose.

"Do they stop to look each time?" Rose asked, not used to the countless stares.

"Your return is big news but they also pay close attention to the nobles. Anna is of age to wed so there have been many watching to see what she does and who approaches her. They will lose interest and turn to someone else soon," Madeline promised.

Madeline noticed the attention was already on Zayne. He could not hide that he was a stranger to these lands because of his eyes. Zayne had a rare aura to him that commanded all the attention in the room and placed it on him.

Though he had not announced himself as a prince, the way he presented himself gave away that he had a good upbringing in a good home.

Madeline smiled, excited to see if Rose would save Zayne again tonight. She had yet to understand why the two were acting like there was nothing between them. Zayne only looked at Rose and Rose could not stop blushing when he did.

’They will figure it out,’ Madeline thought. As long as no one meddled and allowed them to speak of their feelings alone, she knew the two would be together in the future. ’How can I get them alone?’

A ball was always a wonderful place for many confessions to be made. There was a big garden outside where couples would eventually walk. It was the perfect setting for Zayne and Rose. If only she could get the two to go for a walk while she remained behind to escort Anna, something might happen.

Victor noticed Madeline’s smile. A ball was never so wonderful for her to be smiling so much. "What are you plotting now?"

"I am thinking about love. We must keep a watchful eye on them both. They will both be approached and Rose is not ready for it. I don’t think she realises that she is a valuable candidate for a wife. Since she has been away for so long, many might think they can use her to get wealth. Send them away," said Madeline.

Victor looked over Madeline to see Rose who was distracted by the lights and decor. He had noticed how the little things distracted Rose. It was evident that finding a partner was not on her mind. Rose might prefer to explore the ball.

Then there was the big brute beside her to scare suitors away.

"Mother," Anna clung to her mother after they stopped walking. "My friends are here."

"You must wait a little before you run off from my side, Anna. This is not a ball where you get to run around with your friends. I must be near to protect you. Many will do bad tricks to trap you into marriage," Madeline said, keeping a tight hold on Anna.

Rose became curious about the tricks. "What kind of tricks?"

"There was an incident last year when a man purposely followed a young lady after her escort left her so they would be caught alone. To save her reputation, her father had them wed. It was terrible because she already had a good suitor ready to marry her. She doesn’t show up to balls anymore," Anna explained.

Rose frowned, puzzled by why reputation mattered then when others knew of the man’s plot. "Is reputation that important for her to marry a man who stalked her? Shouldn’t he have been punished or outcasted for that trick?"

"That is not how it works for us. It would have been hard for her to marry as others joked about what she did with him. It was up to her father," Anna said, turning back to the crowd.

"I see," Rose replied. Reputations were more serious than she thought. "Is it like this for your home, Zayne?"

"It is normal that who a lady weds is left up to her father or whichever male relative runs the home she lives in. It would take a strong argument to interfere with the decision," Zayne answered.

Rose found this world of reputation mattering so much to be odd. To marry a man who approached you with bad intentions just to save yourself from gossip was foolish.

’I also worry about it,’ Rose realised.

She had been worrying herself over anyone finding out about the brothel as it would affect her family or Zayne.

"Lady Ambrose."

Rose looked to her right at a man with blond hair and a fancy soldier outfit standing before her father. She noticed Anna’s infatuation with the visitor and it didn’t take long to know he was here to court Anna. He was quick to ask for Anna’s first dance.

"Mother," Anna spoke, seeking permission.

"You may," Madeline allowed it.

Rose watched as Anna accepted the suitor’s hand and moved toward where the others gathered to dance. "Is he a good man?"

"From what I have seen, he is. It is up to Anna to decide and your father after he does a bit more looking into him. Or have you already done it?" Madeline questioned after Victor smiled.

"Lord Ambrose," another man approached the group.

"He is Daniel Spencer, a talented pianist here," Madeline whispered to Rose.

"You two look splendid tonight. I came to say how happy I am to hear you found your daughter. Years of being worried about her are now over with. She is Rosaline, right?" Daniel said, inspecting the young woman beside Madeline.

Rose shared her mother’s beauty so like the men in the room Daniel was eager to court her. After eight years he knew there would be much she had to learn but he was willing to wait it out as she was still an Ambrose.

"I prefer Rose," Rose introduced herself and curtsied to be polite.

"Ah, Rose is even better. You speak so well. And- Oh, you have a guest," Daniel said, wary of the outsider. Why had an outsider come all this way and stood with the Ambroses? "It is good to meet you. I’ve heard news of your arrival in the kingdom. I hope your stay has been pleasant."

’It has," Zayne gave a short response. "You also speak well."

"Thank you. I’ve had plenty of good training since I was young," Daniel replied, uncomfortable with the remark.

Daniel turned to Rose since he was only here for her. He had to beat his peers to courting her before they realised her worth.

A few of the men present were hesitant to court her since she would lack proper training but her wealth was still there. Daniel noticed her beauty and wished to know her story.

"Rose, I know that this is your first dance since your return. Would you give me the honour of being your first dance? I normally sit behind an instrument to play music but tonight, I would like to give dancing a try," Daniel said, holding out his right hand to Rose.

"You have pretty fingers," Zayne’s sudden compliment disrupted the invitation to dance.

"Are they?" Daniel wondered, looking at his hands.

Rose was also puzzled by the timing of the compliment. Was Zayne a fan of pianists?

"If you wish to keep them so pretty I suggest you keep them at your side," Zayne finished.