The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 198

Chapter 198: Chapter 198

Quinn let go of the dagger and looked to Zayne. "Are you going to kill me now?"

"Why would I do that when I handed you this opportunity?" Zayne asked, ignoring Kiara’s muffled pleas for help. "I said you are free. Get cleaned up and return to where the others are held. I suggest you don’t speak of this."

Zayne gave her the chance to kill Kiara which he wouldn’t let others know of what happened. He would leave while Quinn remained and she would be in danger if anyone from this land knew she killed the princess.

Zayne turned around to leave since his last problem in the palace was taken care of. It was only the queen he had to get now but with the princes deaths not known to the kingdom, he was luring her out.

Finn followed Zayne. "I shouldn’t have doubted your plans for the maid. It’s still a little surprising she had it in her to kill the princess."

"Wouldn’t you find the strength to do it after someone almost got you killed and why are you here? I told you to go get Rose," Zayne said, stopping to speak to Finn who shouldn’t have been present.

"Right, right. Bring the little lady for you. We can’t have her falling in love with Alexander and out of love with you. We’re in the love season so if you don’t move fast-"

Zayne pulled on Finn’s shirt to bring him closer to hear, "That is why I am sending you to get her. Stop talking and go."

"Yes, yes. I will get your woman, just calm down. Learn how to smile by the time I return with her. Now, can you let go of me?" Finn asked, pointing to where Zayne held him.

Zayne released Finn to let him leave. "Don’t get yourself killed on the way there."

"And have you miss me? I wouldn’t put you through that. I will try to be back by morning with the lady. Try not to behead anyone else by then," Finn said, setting off for Rose.

Finn looked forward to seeing what lady Rose had changed to. "Should I get Mary?" He wondered.

Finn knew that Mary was also curious about Rose since the two had bonded. He shook his head as he thought of how Mary scared him. "I should be at ease during the ride instead of afraid," he decided to leave Mary behind.

Zayne watched as Finn left to prepare to set out.

By now Victor should have received his message about it being safe for Rose to return. The town was now under Zayne’s control with the town and palace guards kept captive. It wouldn’t be long before more soldiers spread throughout the kingdom to keep watch for any rebellions. Before then, Zayne wanted Rose near to protect her.

Time was quickly drawing in for them to make a decision. Zayne could leave with Rose on his ship or he could stay a little longer to let her be with her family more. The latter could happen as Zayne knew it wouldn’t be fair to part the group so soon.

He considered if Rose wanted to stay while he left. They would be away from each other for weeks since there was much to do when he returned home and the ride back here would take a while.

"Zayne," Liam called, stopping before Zayne. "I didn’t find who you were looking for among the king’s army."

"So, he fled. That sounds like something the coward would do," Zayne replied, thinking of Mathias. The fact he had kicked Rose and wanted to return her to Graham had not slipped Zayne’s mind. "Keep an eye out for him. He may be hiding in the palace."

"Should I kill him right away-"

"No," Zayne stopped Liam. "Bring the bastard to me when you find him."

For Rose to be safe the people in her past Lilian and Mathias both needed to die. It was something Zayne hoped would happen soon.

***

The next day, Rose stood with Finn who made it to the manor last night to accompany her to where Zayne was now. Rose had to pinch herself since she couldn’t believe she was finally going to see Zayne again.

Finn was tight-lipped about what happened in the palace as he said he didn’t want to ruin her reunion with Zayne so she would hear the story from Zayne.

Finn stretched his arms in the air. "I am going to miss sleeping on a comfortable bed. It pays to have a lady as a friend."

"Isn’t it better to have a prince as a friend?" Rose asked, revealing she knew the secret.

"Well yes- Wait!" Finn exclaimed. "You know? He told you that he’s a prince?"

"No. Someone else spilled it before he did. It was surprising but it made sense for a lot of things," Rose said, noting there were hints now that she looked back on her time with Zayne. "Do you hold a title I should know about?"

"No," Finn shook his head. "I was just the boy the queen paid to act as Zayne’s friend. Lucky for her, we became real friends and I followed him to the army. I’m just a soldier."

"I see. To me, you are so much more than that," Rose said to cheer Finn up.

Finn touched his chest. "You know Rose, it’s not too late for you to love me instead. Zayne would understand as long as you cry to him to keep me alive. You’re starting to touch my heart."

Rose laughed at the joke Finn made and started to walk down to the carriage where Victor was. "You are funny."

"I wasn’t being funny," Finn replied, his heart still affected by her words.

"It’s best you were joking," Alexander said as he brushed past Finn. He was already standing behind Zayne and wasn’t willing to stand behind another man to compete for Rose.

"Don’t be angry with me because she might fall for me instead of you two. You came all the way here for nothing," Finn said teasingly.

Alexander tried his best to ignore the mouthy soldier. He didn’t need salt added to his wound over the story not ending how he wanted it to.

"By the way, you don’t happen to know where that friend of yours is, do you? The one who was to be sold with you and Rose. My general would like to get his hands on him," said Finn, reminded of the big search for Mathias.

Alexander faced Finn. "He was not in the palace? Did he run?"

"A lot of the soldiers ran once the king died but we hunted down most. It could be that he fled with them or he’s somewhere near you. Just a little warning since I happen to like you, stay away from him unless you want to die," Finn advised Alexander.

Zayne wasn’t sparing anyone at the moment so it wasn’t a good time for Alexander to do something stupid.

Alexander didn’t think Mathias could be near him since they were not close anymore. Mathias would not want to be around the two people who knew about his past unless Mathias would come looking for him to be protected.

"I am ready," Anna announced, rushing down the steps to go to the carriage. This wasn’t how she wanted to see the palace but it was better than nothing.

"Slow down Anna," Madeline called to her daughter. "Emmett," she turned to the butler. "Take care of the manor for us."

"I will, Lady Ambrose."

Madeline looked down at the carriages and guards on horses to escort them. There was no telling what their time from home would bring but she looked forward to a break from the gossiping town. More importantly, she looked forward to the lover’s reunion.