The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Chapter 161

"Did you find it overwhelming inside?" Zayne asked the moment they were in the clear of having no one around.

"No. Once I didn’t think about the stares, I settled in well. I," Rose started but first turned to her mother who already backed them. "I just wanted to talk about feelings. If you just let me ramble for a moment. I fear this is the only way I can say what is on my mind."

"I have told you that I am still trying to understand everything. That being with someone was never in my plans but I am quite certain that I do not like thinking of when you would not be near. I have not fully convinced myself that we are equal. You appear well above me in my eyes and sometimes it is not so bad," said Rose.

She had moments of liking that a man like Zayne cared for. He had helped her without expecting something in return. To know that a prince saw something in her sparked a new confidence.

"Feelings are confusing and like everything else, I have a lot to learn. You make me feel weird but not a bad kind of weird. It is feelings I have never felt before. I want to try to better understand them. From what my mother explained it is possible that I like you," Rose confessed.

Rose had experienced all of what Madeline spoke of. Knowing that it was because of her liking Zayne allowed her to move forward instead of staying puzzled.

"I do not want you to go and I don’t want to leave your side. I am not uncomfortable with your touch like I am with others. The thought of you leaving greatly bothers me. If that is how it feels for you as well and you like me then I do like you. I am sorry that I did not say it as confidently as you did," Rose apologised.

Zayne had been so certain of his feelings when he confessed but yet she was here still questioning what she felt. How was it that the young women inside quickly knew of which man they loved? Why couldn’t it come more easily for her?

"Rose," Zayne called, palming her face to have her look up. "I know it is a great step for you to have thought about this and realise that you might have feelings for me. Do not apologise. I knew I had to be patient from the start."

Zayne continued, "I don’t expect your feelings to be like mine. For you to speak of loving me. Knowing that you are figuring it out and you know you like me is quite enough. What does figuring out these feelings entail?"

Rose didn’t know herself. "We should do what other couples do."

"I would not recommend that. Most are in a rush to get married to secure their future while others. Well, you are too innocent to hear it," said Zayne.

"I am not innocent," Rose muttered, his warm hand on her face made her nervous. "There isn’t much time for me to figure it out."

"I can make time, Rose. I decide when my ships must depart for home. You do not need to rush and force yourself to like me-"

"You said it was nearing the time that I made my decision," Rose repeated his words from the day before.

"You kept running each time I tried to court you, Rose. It is a bit hard to await an answer from someone you like. Without overthinking feelings, do you think you like me? Love is the complicated part but we can start with if you like me," said Zayne.

Rose nodded her head. "I do like you. I am certain."

"That is a good start. We can figure out love if we last. Now, say it again," Zayne urged Rose. It felt wonderful to finally hear her say that she liked him. They had come a long way to reach this point.

"I like you. I like you, Zayne. I like you," Rose repeated, putting forth her best effort to sound more confident each time.

There was some relief now that she said it and didn’t dwell on it.

Rose enjoyed that Zayne didn’t ask more of her. He was willing to let her figure out her feelings and what real love was like.

"I like you, Rose. Never would I have guessed that a bunny would be my weakness," Zayne said, wrapping his right hand around her waist.

Madeline still backed him but he knew she was very aware of what they were doing now. Zayne would have liked it if they were back at the manor for him to do as he liked without worrying about someone spotting them.

Rumours and gossip were never something Zayne paid attention to. As a prince and general, there were always too many to keep with but now he had to be mindful of what affected Rose. She didn’t need a scandal to her name because he wanted to kiss her now.

"Now it is out that you like me, what does that mean for us? What changes?" Zayne questioned.

"I was hoping you had the answer. I won’t be upset if you have experienced this with another woman. We should not both be clueless," Rose said, hoping Zayne would take charge like he always did.

She remembered what Mary said about the soldiers being with women when they travelled.

"It was only when I was a boy that I could think of telling someone I liked them. Since I came of age to find a wife, I was already buried in tasks as a prince and building my place in the army. I had no time for loving anyone. Frankly, I have no time for it now," Zayne admitted.

His focus was to be on the truce but then Rose happened.

"Oh, I’m-"

"Don’t apologise. If you ramble or apologise when you don’t need to I should just kiss you to make you silent. Be mindful of my plans," Zayne said, causing Rose to fold her lips. "I am not asking for us to be intimate but if I wanted to kiss you, could I?"

It was too risky to do it without warning when he didn’t know if Rose’s boundaries had changed.

Rose blushed, surprised by the mention of kissing. She had not thought about how they could do that now. "It is what couples do, right? They kiss to show what they feel. It is fine with me. Forgive me if I appear startled at first. I will only need a small moment to get used to it."

"Then, I shall start small," Zayne said, leaning down to kiss Rose’s cheek. Her skin was soft and warm despite the cold air trying to chase them back inside. "You may kiss me whenever you like."

Rose looked down, trying to hide her face as she knew she had to be blushing too much. She rested her head on his chest, grateful that Zayne held her as her knees suddenly felt weak. "You do not need to ask me each time. You can just kiss me."

Rose wanted to find a hole to crawl into and cover herself with dirt so Zayne couldn’t see how embarrassed she was. There was quite the opposite. Zayne had no shame and she was shy. How would this work?

The sound of Madeline clearing her throat made Rose step out of Zayne’s hold like she had done something wrong.

"I see someone coming this way. We must move," Madeline informed the pair.

"Right," Rose said, going to her mother’s side before she was caught with Zayne. Rose couldn’t meet her mother’s eyes at first as she knew Madeline might have heard a few things. "Please do not ask."

"I won’t right now," Madeline replied.

Just as Zayne was about to join the two, he noticed the pianist walking with two men he had noticed could not keep their eyes off of Rose when they first arrived. They patted his back and laughed like he had done something foolish.

"Zayne?" Madeline called, puzzled by him not moving.

"I will join you shortly. I am enjoying the night air," Zayne replied.

Madeline thought nothing of it. From Zayne’s height and build alone, no one would trouble Zayne. Not unless they were confident they could win a fight. Instead of convincing him to return inside, she left with Rose.