The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 167

Chapter 167: Chapter 167

Rose found it hard to watch Zayne leave without her. After spending so much time with Zayne it was strange to see him leave and know that tomorrow she would not see him again. She would only know through news which travelled to the manor if Zayne was well.

Rose crossed her fingers, wishing that there would be a truce. That King James finally thought of his people and used the time Zayne gave him to make a difference.

It wouldn’t be enough for Rose to start seeing him as her father but it would be a start for her to not be disgusted.

"He left earlier than I thought he would. Your father informed me last night," Madeline said, joining Rose at the bottom of the steps. "I want to say where he is going will be peaceful but you know men. Eventually, it comes to their swords.’

"I don’t mean to scare you," Madeline placed her hand on Rose’s shoulders. "I only want to prepare you for the many rumours which will travel here. Stories will be twisted about him as he is still seen as the enemy."

"He looks to be a man who can take care of himself. I do not care for James but I am a little worried about how it would affect you should there be conflict between him and Zayne."

"I will be fine since I do not see him as my father. I am only worried about Zayne. If only there was a chance for this to go without fighting. I know it is not possible but I don’t want the people I have gotten close to thanks to Zayne to get hurt. I must distract myself," Rose said since standing around here did nothing for her.

"Your lessons with me will start after breakfast so that should make a wonderful distraction. He informed me in the early hours of the day he was sending a surprise for you. It seems it is in his plans to spoil you to keep him on your mind. It is sweet," Madeline said, enjoying the fresh love story.

Madeline wished the two didn’t need to part but at the same time, she wondered if the distance would make their feelings grow more.

"Your husband is a lord but from what Anna has described, you can stand on your own. I want to be that," Rose said, eager to throw herself into many lessons. "It will be tricky for us to be together since we are from different lands. It will take a moment before others do not frown upon such relationships. I want to learn how to speak up. To show more confidence."

"I am too tired of overthinking and needing someone to help me. I am getting better at it but then I overthink to ruin the steps I have taken. I do not know what the future holds for myself and Zayne but I wish for there to be times when he could lean on me. Is it too much?" Rose asked because of her mother’s smile.

"It is not. I smile because I can feel your love for him. I understand wanting to grow to aid your lover. It might be tricky," Madeline agreed. She couldn’t think of anyone who had a public relationship with an outsider. They might certainly be judged. "You don’t need to think about others right now."

Madeline continued, "I will help you but first, let us have breakfast. I cannot have you go without eating all because he is not here."

Rose turned around to go inside with her mother. She couldn’t see Zayne’s carriage from where she stood any longer so it was pointless to remain outside. "Before I forget, thank you. You have been quite understanding when it comes to Zayne."

"Well, your courtship is a lot less messy than how mine started. I would have been shameless to be opposed to you wanting to be with Zayne. I am grateful that you and Anna have the chance to marry the man you want so I will support you as I wanted to be supported in the past," said Madeline, happy that Rose did not have to go down the same path as her.

Madeline’s family had been so quick to save their fallen household that there wasn’t a chance for her to pick the man she loved. She followed her father’s lead.

That seemed like nothing now she got to witness her daughters freely express themselves and be involved in choosing the man they wanted to marry.

"You are crying," Rose said, startled by her mother’s tears.

"Forgive me," Madeline wiped her tears. "There was a point in time when I didn’t know what to do with my life. It is moments like this when I can offer help to you that I think of how much life has changed. I shed tears too fast."

"Maybe you are crying on my behalf," Rose joked since she failed to cry when the moment called for it.

"Maybe it is so," Madeline agreed with Rose.

Far away from the manor, Richard stared in disbelief at the sight before him.

"I am giving you time to take this back before I yell at you. I will consider that you were drunk which is why you would be so foolish to say you want to leave the king’s army," Richard said, wanting to throw the uniform Alexander took off right back at him. "You cannot leave."

"I wanted to be a soldier, not a guard to be used so you can get ahead. I will never love the princess and I have had enough of playing the role of her guard. Leaving the king’s army was all that I could think of to get out of what you tasked me. I am done," Alexander announced, placing the last of his uniform before Richard.

Richard couldn’t believe his ears. It wasn’t uncommon to have someone quit and ask to go home but he never placed one of those people to be Alexander.

Richard stood up. "You cannot leave now when she expects you."

"I am not a plaything meant to keep her happy. I have someone I want to see but I cannot because you keep placing me by the princess’s side. I came here wanting to help the kingdom but you are pushing me to love a woman I never will. Thank you for taking care of me over the years-"

"Alexander!" Richard yelled. He was going to be in deep trouble when the princess realised that Alexander had left the palace. "You must think this over. It’s just a little longer until she marries that general. Then you will be free to do as you want."

Alexander shook his head. If he didn’t leave now he might never get the chance to leave again. "I have given plenty of my time to the king. I cannot anymore if it means letting his daughter do as she wants with me. Goodbye," he said, placing his sword before Richard.

It was about time he saw Rose to take her to a better place.

"Alexander!" Richard called as Alexander turned around to walk to the door. "Speak to Mathias first. Think over it a little more. Shit," he cursed as Alexander did not turn around. "What am I to do now?"

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