The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Chapter 163

In the palace, the royals parted as dinner came to an end.

"Mother, you need to speak to her," Henry whispered to Lilian. He watched as Kiara walked ahead with her maids following her. "She’s not doing her part to get that man to marry her. Father will not listen to me if I tell him."

"Henry, I told you to stop thinking about Kiara and do your best to impress your father. Now is the time for you to be at his side bringing up good ideas to get the truce done. If your father fails, this war might go into your rule. If you are alive to become king," said Lilian.

"I have been at father’s side offering my ideas but he dismisses them. She is plotting something. She spoke of wanting to be queen but she has not done anything," Henry said, wary of Kiara’s next move. "She would kill me if you could."

"She is your sister-"

"Do you fully believe that she would not kill me?" Henry questioned his mother.

Lilian remained silent as she didn’t want to give an awful answer. Her children were against each other too much.

Prince Mateo slipped by to not be caught up in his brother’s conversation with their mother. It would work well for him if Henry and Kiara were to attack each other.

Mateo ran to catch up to Kiara to know of her plans. "Dear sister, why are you in such a rush to leave us?"

"You bore me," Kiara replied. She wasn’t in the mood to speak to either of her brothers. "What is it you want from me now? I will not speak to father on your behalf."

"I have come to offer my help to you," Mateo offered, knowing it was best to be on her side.

Kiara stopped walking and turned to her brother who did well at humouring her. Her shoulders shook from her laughter. "Offer your help? It is like one of the maids telling me they could help me with something other than cleaning. Do you hear yourself, Mateo?"

"I’ve come to offer my help to you and you laugh at me? This is why we do not get along," said Mateo.

Kiara continued to laugh. "I am surprised that you do not find this funny. What can you offer to help me with? To make you king so I wouldn’t be bothered by Henry? To help me marry the man I want? You can’t help me with any of that. You can’t even help yourself."

"You’re not more than a spare. A useless prince who would not be of any use unless Henry were to drop dead. Why do you think father keeps placing you in the army? You are to be the sword that stands in front of Henry. That is why father hardly acknowledges you," Kiara said, seeking joy in Mateo’s realisation.

"Don’t tell me you didn’t know you were worthless. It should have been easy to see that your position of a spare meant waiting for something to happen to Henry-"

"You’re the princess. Between us, you are the more useless one," Mateo fought back. "I am not the one who is being forced to marry."

Kiara smiled, his attempt to stir her emotions failing. She stepped closer to Mateo to place her hand on his shoulder and tiptoed to whisper, "Yet I was the one to convince father the army would be the best place for you. There is trouble in the west and you might need to join the army to help. How do you find my present, brother?"

"You," Mateo said in disbelief. "You sent me there? No. Father thought I could display my skills. It wasn’t you."

"It was quite easy, you see. I went to take tea to father and during that, he said he didn’t know what to do with you. I thought the army would suit you. It wasn’t much of a challenge to have father think it was his idea. You’re lucky that I love you," Kiara said, stepping away from Mateo. "I was going to tell him to send you on our ships somewhere far."

"Let’s get something understood between us. You’re the brother who remains silent. You are like the old paintings that no one here cares for so be just that and go unseen. You are the spare no one thinks about. No one has plans for you other than to shadow Henry. So, you cannot offer me help brother, you need me," Kiara concluded.

Kiara sighed. "This is so disappointing. I liked you more since you were quiet. To think you dared approach me with the thought that I needed you. Listen, if you ever want my help you must think of a way to rid me of this embarrassing moment. You just insulted me, Mateo. Apologise," she demanded.

Who was Mateo for him to act all high and mighty before her?

"Apologise," Kiara spoke up. She was growing quite tired of her brothers taking her for a joke.

"Kiara!" Lilian’s call interrupted Mateo’s apology. "Mateo and all the maids, leave us."

"I am not in the mood for this,’ Kiara muttered.

Mateo and the maids moved since it was the order of the queen.

Before Kiara could smile to get her way out of being scolded, Lilian said, "Do not try to fool me. I am not your father. Must you beat your brother’s down so much?"

Kiara nodded her head. "I had no choice since he made a foolish offer. It is not my fault you have raised sons who do not know how to fight with their words."

"Kiara!" Lilian exclaimed. "There are some things you cannot say to me. You are starting to concern me."

"No. Henry is scared and he runs to you. I do not understand you, mother. You have taught me the best way to survive in the palace and now you get angry when I protect myself. What is it that you want from me? That I protect myself from everyone else but go easy on Henry?" Kiara asked, hoping that was not the case.

"I taught you all that I know so you hold your own against those outside our family. Not for you to kill your brother’s spirits. You are to be centering yourself at the top of young ladies your age not thinking about teasing your brother about wanting the throne. I don’t know what to do with you," Lilian confessed.

"No, you don’t know what to do with Henry. It’s your fault for teaching me what you knew. It scares you that I have perfected all that you know and become better than you. If you would just have a better hold on your sons, I wouldn’t need to break them. They truly bore me," Kiara shared, disappointed that it was too easy for her.

Lilian didn’t like what she heard. "You’re slowly becoming a monster."

"No. I became my protector. You would be thrilled if Henry were this way. Then he would finally be seen as worthy to be our next king. I see your jealousy, mother. You can’t even speak when father is near so why should I listen to you?" Kiara questioned, shaking her head at her mother’s pathetic ways.

"I made a way to be able to stand by father and speak when I like. You are trying to silence me so Henry could shine but unfortunately for you, I will do no such thing. I love you mother," Kiara said, her earlier smile she wore at the dinner present. "That is why I have not gotten into my father’s ear about you."

"Stop meddling while I still love you. Play the role of mother and stay out of our fights. I’d hate to be a monster by sending you away. You left me to find a way for myself in the palace while you pushed Henry forward. Do not be angry now that I see the power in my words," Kiara said, her mother’s fear sparking something new.

"If you try to silence me so Henry stands a chance, I will show you just how much of a monster I can be. Don’t make me eye your seat because I can take it from you. Good night," Kiara curtsied.