The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 171

Chapter 171: Chapter 171

"You are not doing as I told you, Rose. I can see the books slipping already. If they fall, I will add another to it so we can better show how many times you have failed. Do not laugh," Madeline told Anna. "You’re bad at this."

"Must there be a certain way to how we walk?" Rose questioned, moving slowly to not drop the books on her head.

"Yes. You should be able to curtsy just as I showed you without letting any of the books on your head drop. This shows that you must pace yourself when you walk. When you are among your peers you need not rush to go anywhere. Your back," Madeline said, carefully touching Rose to straighten her back. "Do not slouch. The posture bothers me."

Anna bit into one of the slices of apple brought to her. "I do not miss these days of having to learn how to properly walk or dance. It is draining. You have a wonderful excuse for holding this off, Rose."

"I want to learn it quickly. There are only a few minutes left,’ Rose said, eyeing the large standing clock in the room. "Then it is my spelling lesson."

Anna still found it hard to believe that Rose could not read or spell many words. "You make me question all that I know. Many say a man would not want a woman who doesn’t know how to read or write yet you managed to find a prince to like you. Have I been doing this all wrong?"

"It is too late for you to break your old habits. I will have you play the piano when it comes time for Rose’s dancing lessons. I can’t have you getting bored."

Anna regretted coming to sit in the room since her mother was finding something for her to do. "Mother," she whined. "I was only here to offer support to Rose."

"And you will be doing so by providing her music. She has not heard you play. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see Anna display her musical talents, Rose?" Madeline asked.

Rose glanced at Anna who mouthed to save her. "I already have my reading lessons today as well. I might not have time to fit in dancing today if you do not mind, mother."

"You two are already working against me," Madeline said but she didn’t mind it. They were both in a better place than how they started.

"Mother, where has father wandered off to? First, it was Zayne before I woke up and now father left in a hurry. Is there something I must be aware of? Grandmother said she was coming but she is late," Anna said, finding it all to be suspicious.

What happened to her cousins getting a second chance to visit and see Rose?

"Is it because of what grandmother said to Rose? I know that it wasn’t right," Anna said, thinking of the ruined reunion. "She shouldn’t have said what she did to Rose. Is that where father has gone? I often see my cousins and they repeat what the aunts say. It is no use to hide it from Rose and I."

"Well done," Madeline congratulated Rose since she was able to reach the wall without letting one of the books fall.

"Mother-"

"Your grandmother is causing a bit of trouble for us amongst the family. I don’t want either one of you to get too involved. That is not where your father has gone in the evening. He told me that he was meeting with a friend. Do not worry about Valerie. Either of you," Madeline said since neither of them did anything wrong.

"It will all get resolved in time. Your grandmother’s anger has more to do with me than something concerning the two of you. Now, focus and do it again," Madeline clapped her hands to get Rose moving.

Madeline used Rose’s lessons as a distraction from the trouble brewing from Valerie but she couldn’t ignore it for long. They closed the gates so Rose could have her lessons which upset Valerie.

There wasn’t a way their relationship could get any better after Madeline denied Valerie’s offer to find a tutor for Rose. Valerie took it as a slap to the face and it was strange that she was surprisingly quiet instead of trying to visit the manor.

Anna placed another slice of apple in her mouth. Did she have to also end her relationship with her grandmother? The thought of that hurt more than losing Olivia. "It will all be fine as long as grandmother sees that Rose and Zayne are quite suited for each other. He is a prince but I do not think he is so out of reach that Rose cannot be with him."

"If only everyone were like you to see that," Madeline replied, knowing Valerie was too stubborn to care about love. "You two must stick together."

"I will. I can get Rose and grandmother to get along. Or not," Anna changed her mind after seeing Rose’s reaction. "It will be odd to not have family dinners anymore."

"I will not stop you from going to see your grandmother but should she try to get in your head about us, I must. It is giving me a headache to hear about this now so please girls find something else to talk about," Madeline said, touching her head as the pain grew.

She had too much on her plate these days. It was unfortunate that a relative was the main one trying to ruin her enjoying Rose’s return. There was much to worry about Valerie knowing Zayne was a prince and where Rose had been all these years.

"We will take a break," Madeline announced. She needed to sit for a moment to let the headache pass.

A knock at the door came at the right time for the conversation to shift.

Emmett entered the room and closed the door behind him. "Lady Ambrose, suitors are requesting an audience with your daughters."

"Daughters?" Madeline repeated, puzzled by this. "Rose didn’t dance with anyone last night. You only spoke to Daniel, didn’t you?"

"I did," Rose nodded her head. Why would she have anyone here wanting to meet her when Anna was the one dancing away all night?

Anna didn’t care for a reason. "It can only be that they took one look at her and fell in love. I am curious who came for me. Mother, you will not turn them away, will you?"

"I can accept your suitors but I do not know about anyone here for Rose. What of Zayne?" Madeline asked, leaving it to Rose to decide.

"I don’t want to see anyone," Rose answered.