The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Chapter 160

Anna couldn’t enjoy what sounded like a confession from Rose as she was still shocked that they were having this conversation. "Olivia, I told you that I suspected he likes her so you should stop. Did you think I warned you as a joke?"

"No, I think you did it to keep him to her. I have prepared for this moment for so many years. If anyone is deserving of courting him it is me. I’m sure we’ll be wonderful friends if you would back off," Olivia informed Rose. She knew something she didn’t want to tell Anna as then it would be two Ambrose to keep away from Zayne.

Rose chuckled. "You are being this way when Zayne has said that he is not looking to get married. You are wasting your time being rude to me. I suggest you use your time on someone else."

Olivia would not be fooled by Rose. "Do you take me for a fool? I will not fall for your trick to keep me away from him."

"Then, why don’t you ask him?" Rose suggested.

Zayne spared no one from his honesty. Should he choose to dance with Olivia then Rose didn’t know him as well as she thought she started to.

"I’ve disturbed your talk so I will return to my mother’s side. I wish I could say that it was pleasant seeing you again but it wasn’t," Rose said, turning away from the two to go to Madeline.

Rose’s only regret was that she might have placed Anna in a bad position. It could not have felt good to be in the middle of your longtime friend and sister not getting along. She had to worry about what Anna would say later.

"Well done," Madeline clapped her hands. "I am proud of you."

"I did not enjoy it," Rose confessed.

"It is fine that you are not someone who loves to confront others. You spoke up to defend yourself. It is not like you are going around causing trouble. Had you stayed quiet she might have kept rudely speaking to you," Madeline said, glancing at Anna having a little argument with Olivia.

Once in the position of looking for a husband, Madeline knew how this time brought out the worst in young women but that didn’t mean she would gloss over Olivia’s rudeness.

Maybe some were yet to see Rose as an Ambrose but Madeline did not care. There was some respect to be given to Rose. Rose had done her part now Madeline could do her part as a mother. The best way to resolve this matter so Olivia didn’t bother Rose was to go to Olivia’s mother.

"Will Anna be fine?" Rose questioned, noticing that Anna was upset. "I didn’t mean to ruin it for her."

"You did not. I trust that Anna is making the right decision when it comes to that friendship. So, with what you said about not moving from his side, does that mean you are aware of your feelings?" Madeline asked.

Rose shyly looked away from her mother. It wasn’t something she wanted too many to hear. "I don’t understand feelings. I know that it sounds foolish but I struggle to understand what I feel and make sense of what others feel. Not with anger and jealousy. I am used to those two as I witnessed it a lot."

"Someone has told me they loved me before. I didn’t know any other kind of love so it scared me. His feelings scared me. Now that I am free I know his feelings were not love but I am still trying to make sense of it. How do I know if I love someone or just like them?" Rose asked, hoping her mother had answers.

Madeline looked at Victor. "I suppose love feels different for everyone but to me, it is like I feel tickled whenever he is near and when he isn’t around, I feel pulled to search for him. You are aware of the slightest touch from him and just speaking to him makes your heart feel full. It might be different for you."

"Think about this. Zayne has to return to the palace and then he must set sail for his home across the sea. How would it make you feel to never see him again?" Madeline asked.

"I would be sad. I have become quite close to him. I am used to seeing him every day now," Rose answered.

"Maybe you two just make good friends. I believe a woman and man could have a friendship with nothing more. Or, maybe you have welcomed him into your heart without realising. It doesn’t need to be love, Rose. Feelings will grow into love over time. If you like him, I suggest you start to make something happen instead of avoiding it," said Madeline.

"It is possible to lose him if you wait too long. It is perfectly normal if he were to grow bored of waiting. The only way you can find out about love is to move toward acknowledging your feelings for Zayne. I can find you a moment alone," Madeline offered.

"You told me not to be alone with him tonight," Rose repeated the most important rule.

Madeline smiled. "You won’t be so alone. I will leave Victor to watch over Anna and walk at a distance behind you. You are not the only one seeking a moment alone. Many make use of the garden. What do you want to do?"

Rose glanced at Zayne, noticing he started to return to them with Victor at his side. "What if I liked him and had to leave? Wouldn’t you be sad?"

"I would be," Madeline admitted. "You will be far away though you just returned but I know you would be happy. Your happiness is all I think about. I know you want to explore. The most I have seen you smile is when you told me of his map."

"I can always drag Victor across the world to see you," Madeline added.

Rose smiled, imagining Madeline pulling Victor out of the manor. "I would like a moment alone with him."

"Wonderful. Victor!" Madeline called to her husband. "A quick word."

"You looked to be having a fun talk a moment ago. Did she trouble you?" Zayne questioned, looking over Rose at the now bickering pair of friends.

"She tried to but I spoke up for myself," Rose answered.

"Well done."

"She has feelings for you and wishes to court you," Rose revealed, examining his reaction.

"She has made it hard to ignore. Are you trying to ask if I would court her?" Zayne asked, hoping that was not the case. Was she still doubting his feelings for her?

"No. I know you would not have any feelings for her. I don’t mean to trouble you but do you mind going outside with me? You do not need to say yes. It is much warmer here. Oh!" Rose whined, touching her head where Zayne flicked her. "That was not nice of you."

"But it succeeded in getting you to stop rambling. It is better than my first plan to pinch your lips together. I would love to join you outside but I care about protecting you," Zayne said, knowing how much gossip would start.

"My mother will join us at a distance. She is ready," Rose said after Madeline nodded which meant Victor knew of them leaving.

"Very well," Zayne replied, offering his hand to Rose. He couldn’t tell what the two had planned but he knew he would be entertained somehow.

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