The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 176

Chapter 176: Chapter 176

When the doors opened Kiara anticipated seeing Alexander waiting for her outside to escort her to dinner. Now that the plan to have her brothers aim their swords at each other’s heads started, Kiara needed someone she could trust to watch her back.

Kiara allowed Alexander to have his space but it was twice now that she noticed he was not by her side.

Kiara turned to Quinn for an explanation. "Where is he?"

"Forgive me, princess. I had not seen him all day and when I went to ask another soldier, they said he had left the king’s army. I was too late to learn where he went. Please forgive me," Quinn pleaded. She was already in deep trouble when it came to the princess.

Kiara bit her tongue to not scream. What idiot would allow Alexander to leave the army when they knew how important he was to her? "He has gone to see that woman. I should have done more."

Ruining the dress was child’s play. If she wanted Alexander to never have any thoughts about leaving her, Kiara knew she should have threatened him and Rose.

"He is hard to understand. I was offering myself to him and he did this. Picking a common woman over me. What is there not to like about me?" Kiara questioned, wanting an honest answer from Quinn.

"There is nothing wrong with you, princess. You are most kind and second to the queen, you are the most beautiful woman in the kingdom-"

"Stop talking. I was willing to let the general have your head for something I made you do yet I am the most kind person. I wanted honesty," Kiara said, pushing Quinn’s head back with her right hand. "Why am I keeping you around me so long?"

Quinn dropped to her knees to beg for forgiveness. "Forgive me but I spoke the truth. You are still the most kind in my eyes and I cannot deny your beauty. Your beauty is not reached by any of your peers. You are the most sought-after lady in all the kingdom. He would be a fool to not pick you."

"Oh, this is why," Kiara said, roughly grabbing Quinn’s chin to force her to look up at her. "I like the way you compliment me no matter how I treat you. You’re different from the others since you understand how your life is in my hands. I’ll keep you by my side for a little longer."

Kiara didn’t see the need to have a pet when the maids were this way.

"If you want me to forgive you then bring Mathias to me after dinner. Tell him that he will regret it if he is not standing before me when I return from dinner. Go," Kiara said, letting go of Quinn.

If there was anyone who could find Alexander to talk some sense into him, it was Mathias. Mathias was the same one who might know where Alexander had run off to.

"Why should Richard stay the commander when he can’t do such a simple task?" Kiara wondered.

She kept her father calm whilst Richard was to keep Alexander as her guard. It was a simple exchange of favours yet others were not doing their part.

Kiara couldn’t think of Alexander for long since she had to prepare herself for the dinner ahead of her.

Kiara headed toward the dining hall with her maids and other guards following her.

"There you are," James greeted Kiara with his right hand held out for her to kiss. "I was starting to think I needed to send a guard for you."

Kiara kissed her father’s hand as she curtsied. "I hope you will forgive me, father. The night was so beautiful that I was lost in admiring its beauty. It might mean that something wonderful is upon us."

"Is that so? I trust your judgement," James replied.

Kiara left her father’s side and curtsied when she reached Lilian.

"You are most clever," Lilian said, avoiding her daughter’s gaze. She should have known the two would work against her and send her out of the palace. "I hope your plans do not cause you harm in the end."

"Please have a safe and wonderful trip to see grandfather. You have spoken many times about missing him. We must spend a lot of time with our parents since we never know when they will be gone from our lives. I look forward to sitting with you to hear all the stories from your trip when you return," said Kiara.

Kiara placed her hand on her mother’s shoulder as she walked toward her seat.

Later her mother would thank her that she did not have to be in the palace to witness the bloody fight with her sons trying to kill each other. Right now, her mother was only calling her a monster because she didn’t know what was coming.

Kiara sat down and smiled right away as she noticed the tension between her brothers. Mateo was back to being quiet but she would love for him to be chatty now.

"I have received word that Prince Zayne is back which means it is time again for Kiara to do her best to convince him to wed her. You must all help her when you can to ensure this engagement happens. To have another child of mine be wed to a royal in another kingdom is a dream I want to see come true," James said, looking at his two useless sons.

James knew he could count on Kiara to help him reach his dreams but the other two were useless. It might be a better idea to start making more use of the other children he had in the palace. ’How many are there now?’ He tried to remember.

Without someone to tell him, James didn’t know how many sons or daughters he had aside from the ones he shared with Lilian. He had plenty of children to make use of and after years of taking care of the ones he didn’t see, it was time that they did something for him.

There were men he wanted on his side which his daughters could wed and if he still had sons, he could place them in the army to silence those who said they hid in the palace.

’Are there sons left?’ He wondered, staring at Lilian. She and her father had been ruthless in removing any women who they suspected had a son so Henry would not have any competition.

As if reading his father’s mind about heirs, Henry asked, "What is all the talk about father having another child? Is there another sibling we must prepare to hide in the palace and feed?"

Lilian glared at her husband. At this age, this madness should stop. All she ever asked of him was to stop embarrassing her by having more illegitimate royals.

Lilian remained silent, awaiting the truth from James.

"What nonsense are you spouting now? I do not have a new child," James said. No one shared the news with him first. "I will have the head of the person who claims to be carrying my child now."

"It is not a baby in the rumours. They say it is a child around my age from the time you were picking your queen," Henry repeated what he heard. Between this and what he now knew about Mateo, the world felt against him. There was always something looking to steal his shine. "I don’t want a new brother or sister. I already have to watch my back with the ones I have now."