The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 194

Chapter 194: Chapter 194

"It pains me to see you seated by the window so much and I am almost tempted to convince Victor to take you closer to him. It is a battle each time I see you. I’m sure he is fine," Madeline said, joining Rose by the window. "He would be happy to know you miss him. Your love grows with each passing day."

Rose welcomed her mother sitting by the window with her. "I was thinking about the friends I made thanks to working for him. I think of Janice and how I have not gotten the chance to speak to them. I started to be close to a soldier named Mary. She was my guard at first."

"A woman amongst soldiers. I would love to meet her. Once we hear news about the palace then we can consider going closer to Zayne. I am eagerly awaiting news just like you but for a different reason. I shouldn’t say this to you but I am hoping James dies. Then I wouldn’t need to worry about where you go around the kingdom," said Madeline.

With James dead there wouldn’t be anyone desperate to take Rose to the palace should the secret get out. Rose would only need to be careful where she ventured since many would like to use a lord’s daughter.

"Do you have any plans for when you see him?" Madeline asked, trying to give Rose something to look forward to.

Rose nodded her head. There was one thing Zayne asked her for when he left and she was gaining the courage to do it. She was more certain of her feelings now after some time away from him, in a complete turn of event, Rose wanted to hold him.

Madeline smiled, sensing Rose was a little too embarrassed to tell her. "You don’t have to share it with me. If you want to give him something for your reunion, I can send a servant out."

"Mother, there is something that has been on my mind. If I leave to explore the seas with Zayne, will there be money for me to take? I have run out of what I had saved from working for Zayne. I have been thinking of how I will buy what I will need," Rose confessed.

Madeline didn’t see the need for Rose to worry about this. "There is money set aside for you so you won’t need to work again but I am most certain he will take care of you. He didn’t spare any money when it came to the gifts he sent."

"I am not fond of relying on anyone. What if something changes and he doesn’t want to take care of me? It is not like we are married. I’ve been learning that the world isn’t like I thought. There are so many rules and so many things expected from us," Rose said, trying her best to remember all of it.

"I am not anywhere near ready for marriage and I am still getting to know Zayne. I should have a way to take care of myself so in the event of something bad, I can find my way home. Forgive me, my mind cannot help thinking of the bad possibilities. I do look forward to being with Zayne," Rose said, wishing to show her thoughts weren’t all negative.

"Don’t worry. I understand what you are trying to say. People can change unexpectedly so it is fair to want to be prepared if there is ever that chance. In the beginning, I didn’t want to use Victor’s money since I didn’t feel I had the right to it even as his wife. I will give you money to put aside," Madeline promised.

Madeline thought of something else she had been meaning to speak to Rose about. "You can always come to me to ask about anything concerning Zayne and what you feel. As your relationship grows there will be new things you experience. It might be frightening at first but you don’t need to run away."

Madeline continued, "You should tell him about what you feel and ask him to tell you what he feels. It is-"

"Are you trying to explain a man being with a woman?" Rose asked, feeling awkward speaking of this with her mother. "I know what happens."

"You saw what happened in a brothel and it is not like that. There are still some things that trouble you and I want you to know the love between lovers is nothing like the lust you witnessed in the brothel. It is not the same when there is love. Real love," Madeline added, assuming love was thrown around in the brothel.

"I know. I have already witnessed that not all men are like what I believed. It was foolish to place everyone to be like Graham. I must admit that I am scared of what will come being with Zayne but I am excited. He makes me happy," Rose said, looking down at her lap. "I am happy I didn’t run away from such happiness."

Madeline touched Rose’s hand. "I worried for nothing. Still, you can always come to ask. I will try my best not to make it as embarrassing as it is now. Emmett," she addressed the butler. "What troubles you? Is it news about the palace?"

Emmett glanced at Rose, the current target of the gossip in town. "There is new gossip growing around the town. A maid I sent out returned with news about Rose. It is spreading that Lady Rose was once in a brothel where she entertained men. I don’t know where it started."

Madeline bit her tongue to refrain from saying Valerie’s name next to Rose since there wasn’t any proof of it. "Please leave us for a moment, Emmett."

Rose was disappointed to hear the news was out but she knew this would happen at some point. The secret wasn’t with just her and Zayne anymore. Everyone who knew could not be trusted.

"I’m sorry," Madeline apologised. It felt like her fault.

"You do not need to apologise. I knew deep down I would not be so lucky for it to stay a secret forever. I am fine but I worry about you and the family name. Everyone says reputations are important-"

"My daughter is more important," Madeline spoke over Rose. "You were the victim of a kidnapping. How could I ever think about my reputation at a time like this? I was only thinking of you having a quiet life. Many are vicious and would love to see you break down over this. I will find who spread it."

"And do what?" Rose asked, curious as to what would happen. "I have a feeling it is not anyone here who started the gossip. I can make a few assumptions and with that, I will stay away from who I suspect. Finding the person who spread it and silencing those speaking will only spark others wanting to talk. Just leave it."

Rose didn’t have any interest in fighting the gossip to hide it. She was the girl taken from her home and placed in a brothel. If the town wanted to be so bad to judge her for something that wasn’t her choice then so be it.

’Rose," Madeline replied, not finding this a good idea.

"I was in a brothel. I wanted to forget it but life has a way of making me remember it. I know what I did and didn’t do there. Some have accepted me and others turned me away. I don’t want to sit here and sulk about the truth being out. I will focus on those who accept me and ignore the talk," said Rose.

When she had her family and Zayne, the town’s words did not matter.

"For many years I have hid away from the harsh stares of those who hated seeing the women from the brothel. I’ve been pointed to and called awful names. What the town is doing now is not new and I will not allow it to bother me again. This came in time to stop the suitors," Rose said, relieved their visits would stop.

Madeline still worried about Rose being affected by all the gossip but there was something to be proud of. "I am grateful that I was given the chance to see you grow little by little. Still, your mother will take care of this."

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