The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 183

Chapter 183: Chapter 183

Anna was left puzzled as to what was so special about the field. There could be many bugs present just waiting to touch them. "We have always been different. This is not exciting for me."

"It is because you are just sitting around. Come with me," Rose said, getting to her feet as an idea filled her mind. "We can run around."

Anna tried to hide behind her mother. "We are not children, Rose. What if someone were to see us running around like we have lost our minds?"

"There isn’t anyone aside from the maids and guards. You must join me," Rose said, grabbing Anna’s hands to pull her up. "It won’t be fun if you are not beside me."

"Mother," Anna whined but she allowed Rose to pull her up. "Rose, if I fall you must pick every piece of grass from my hair and I won’t forgive you if a suitor sees me like this."

Rose ignored Anna’s warning and pulled her further into the field for them to run through the flowers. She heard Anna giggling behind her despite not liking the idea at first.

Part of Rose wished what she remembered had included Anna. She would have been happy if she knew she had a little sister somewhere in the kingdom.

Madeline remained in her seat, letting the two enjoy their time running around and laughing. The moment was sweet but Madeline still looked around for danger though there were plenty of guards around.

The thought of both her daughters being taken away from her was there and it was a feeling she could never get rid of. After losing Rose, Madeline thought endlessly about how there was always a chance it could happen again since the person who did it wasn’t caught. Her duty was to look out for danger so that chance would not come again.

"I should have brought a painter," Madeline said to herself.

The scenery of her daughters running around together was something she wanted to capture forever. It was a memory that both girls would carry on in the future since Rose had forgotten their time together.

"Rose!" Anna screamed, falling to the grassy land because of her sister. "That was cruel of you."

"You tripped by yourself. Didn’t she, mother?" Rose asked, turning to face her mother sitting under the tree.

"I will not get in the midst of it," Madeline replied, knowing it was best she didn’t take a side with her answer. "When you two are done rolling around, you must eat. Emmett has instructed the cooks to make many of your favourites."

"We will be done once Anna can stand on her feet," Rose teased Anna.

Anna blew her hair from her face and glared at Rose standing before her. She worried about her appearance but she couldn’t let Rose get away with not getting grass in her hair as well. Anna reached for Rose’s leg and pulled it for her sister to lose her balance.

"It is surprisingly fun," Anna laughed, enjoying Rose’s misfortune. "Now you have grass to pick from your hair and dress."

"I do not mind it. It is you who is bothered by it. It is fun," Rose replied, happily laying back on the grass.

Anna peered at Rose laying like there was a blanket beneath her. "I cannot do that. I will miss this. I wish you had returned a little earlier instead of a time when I am looking to wed. We will not see each other often then and you might leave with Zayne. Promise to write to me and send home all the finest dresses you see across the world."

Rose laughed at Anna’s request. "I can send you dresses if I have the money for it but with letters, you have laughed at how I write. You said I write like a child."

"You do," Anna responded, sticking to what she first told Rose. "But what you write is lovely. You have been learning fast."

"That is because I don’t want to be seen as a fool. Zayne is smart and I am far behind in knowing things about the world. I was once impressed by a colourful lantern. I don’t want to seem like a fool by his side," Rose confessed.

"Does he see you as a fool?" Anna asked, pulling the courage she needed to lay with Rose on the grass.

"He has never said it. Only encouraged me to learn," Rose replied.

"Then that is what matters most. I will not try to convince you that you should slow your learning. I think it is quite reasonable you want to match the man you like but you are not a fool, Rose. You are far from it. If we could share your story, you would be applauded for the things you did to survive. You left that place untouched," said Anna.

Rose looked up at the passing clouds.

"Graham never did the full act I was forced to witness him do with other women but I did not go untouched," Rose revealed, finding some relief in sharing it. "He had touched my body in ways I didn’t like and made me show what he was waiting for when the day came I would accept to be his."

"What?" Anna sat up.

"I never laid with him but he has touched me. It is why I did not like to be touched by anyone," Rose shared. "I have not told anyone this part and I ask that you do not. I don’t want to say it to mother or father."

Rose didn’t want to see their faces should they find out.

"I will not," Anna promised. This news was too much for her to bear alone but she would keep the secret.

Later in the afternoon, the group returned to their rooms to change and have time to themselves.

Madeline sat before a mirror brushing out her hair and the grass her daughters placed in it so she could join them. Today was successful in making Rose and Anna think only of each other. They didn’t question her about Valerie or the palace anymore.

"I should call for a painter," Madeline said, realising it was time they got new portraits to show the family completely once more.

Just as Madeline stood up to send a maid to inform Emmett, Victor entered the room.

"Victor, how did it go with the town guards?" Madeline inquired, approaching her husband.

"It is as Rose said. They are not to talk about missing people or slaves. This is out of hand," Victor said, his anger still present. "What kind of fool would order guards to remain silent on this matter? I couldn’t fight with them on it since I would have to tell them more about Rose. We are stuck."

Victor didn’t want to mention the brothel without asking Rose first. He stuck to the story that she had been amongst others meant to be sold as slaves but that story was not believed. Instead, he was questioned on where he hid Rose for all these years since she showed up out of nowhere.

Madeline hugged Victor to calm him. "Unfortunately, this is the state of the kingdom but there is nothing we can do right now unless the other nobles would put pressure on the king to have him tell the truth. Many would not speak up for fear of losing their lives. I worry about you."

Victor embraced Madeline, using her to forget about his heated conversation with the guards. He missed her during these last days but there was a lot to do to protect his family. "I- Where did those flowers come from?" He asked, puzzled by the flowers in the vase.

"It was delivered by the flower boy you used to me. Wasn’t it?" Madeline asked, her earlier concern present.

"I did not send you flowers," Victor replied, letting go of Madeline to go to the vase.