The Forgotten Princess Rose
Chapter 205

Chapter 205: Chapter 205

As night fell upon the kingdom, the time for Zayne to return to the palace to hear the princess’s answer had come.

Rose walked with him to the door. She thought of convincing Zayne to return once he was done but did not want to appear too needy. It wasn’t a long ride away from the palace where they couldn’t see each other tomorrow and they had already enjoyed many hours together.

What would Zayne think if she grabbed his hand and asked him to stay longer? A room could quickly be prepared for him and Rose was certain no one here would let it get out that he had spent the night.

The kingdom had other things to worry about instead of where Zayne slept at night.

Rose knew she just had to give it a try to get him to stay but she again thought it was too much.

"Rose," Zayne stopped her before she missed her step. "Are you daydreaming as you walk?"

Rose faced Zayne. His carriage was waiting for him to get inside. Her final chance was now. "It is late. I need to go to bed as soon as you leave."

’Coward,’ she scolded herself.

"You should. I had to listen to annoying little chirping birds because you wanted to look for them. I finally got rid of the sound but now it is back. If I cannot sleep you need to take responsibility for it," Zayne said jokingly.

Zayne noticed something troubled Rose but he needed her to talk. It couldn’t always be him getting something out of her. "I need to leave so go inside. I will come early in the morning to go for a ride with you."

Rose nodded her head. She wanted to hit herself for letting the chance to ask slip by.

Zayne settled for kissing her cheek since she was distracted. "Good night, Rose."

He had not considered wanting to be near Rose all day when he told Willow he would return to her.

Zayne started to walk toward his carriage to make the goodbye short. He would see Rose in the morning and take her somewhere so she wouldn’t be inside the gates for another day.

"You," Zayne stopped after feeling her hand on the sleeve of his shirt. "Rose."

"Can you stay the night? Please," she pleaded, looking down at the ground. Rose realised her current stance of avoiding his eyes wouldn’t help her so she looked up at Zayne. They had long passed the point where she should not be shy anymore. "Can you stay the night here? I don’t want you to go yet."

Zayne did not respond right away. Instead, he looked to the sky and sighed.

Rose misunderstood his reaction and released Zayne’s shirt. She should have known not to ask for him to stay right now when he had much to do. "I-I’m sorry. Please forget what I asked and be on your way. Why did I do this?"

"I am glad that you did. It’s about time you start telling me that you do not want me to go. I have waited long for you to be this way. Give me one hour to speak to the princess and then I will return. We must be clear on something first," Zayne said, lifting her right hand to kiss the back of it. "Are you inviting me to have a spare room or to share a room with you?"

"You know it will upset my father if you share a room with me. We shouldn’t sneak around like we have something to hide. I can have a room prepared for you," Rose suggested.

"It will be more painful for me to know I can walk to see you than being in the palace where I can’t reach you. I can take care of your father’s issue if you trust me. We will only rest. Nothing more to worry about me ruining you," he reassured Rose.

An unmarried couple sharing a bed would consider her ruined as well but Zayne knew Victor was most concerned about a sudden child being announced. It was easy to deny rumours as long as Rose was never said to be expecting.

"I can visit to lay with you and be gone before anyone wakes to find us together. It is up to you," Zayne left it to Rose.

"If you return within the hour, I will open my door for you to stay until I fall asleep. I will not if you are late," Rose said, willing to take a risk.

Was it so wrong that now she understood what she felt for Zayne she wanted to be near him?

It was going to quickly spread that she once lived in a brothel and many would not believe she did not serve men. Did she need to care about what a lady should do when her name was most likely already ruined?

"Wait! You are leaving so fast," Rose said after Zayne let go of her hand to go to the carriage. Must the short goodbye be so fast?

"I only have one hour," Zayne replied. He couldn’t waste even a second.

Rose thought he would have known she would keep the door open for him but there was something enjoyable about how seriously he took her words.

"I forgot to tell him," Rose realised.

It had slipped her mind to tell Zayne her secret was now out but it might be best that Zayne did not know. He had not taken anyone’s fingers but now he was focused on their eyes. She was going to save him from having another bad interest.

Rose turned around to return inside now that the carriage was out of sight. She almost stumbled when she found her mother near the door. "Mother," she greeted Madeline. "Zayne has left for the palace.’

"I saw. I did not want to join you to ruin the moment. What time will he be back? I know he will be back," Madeline said before Rose could think of a lie.

"Within an hour," Rose chose to be honest. "I know it isn’t what a lady should do. I have been thinking that I do not like the life of a lady. I wish to be free from the rules."

"It is expected of you. I find myself tired of it at times. I will not judge you if you do not want to be like your peers. You are more suited as a free spirit and it was hard to miss how much you wanted to be near him today. It would be surprising if he was not returning. I only ask that you avoid my mistake of carrying a child before a wedding," said Madeline.

Her secret was hidden as many believed she had gotten pregnant with Victor’s child early but Madeline had witnessed what was said to those caught. The women carried all the judgement.

"He will only be there until I fall asleep and then he will find another room. He spoke of marrying me so we would not be so secretive," Rose revealed.

"It is good to know his heart is in the right place. Well, if you would excuse me. It appears I must keep my husband busy tonight so no one dies. Please be careful," Madeline advised Rose.

Rose sighed in relief. She was lucky to have a mother who tried to save her from gossip but also understood that she didn’t fit into this social world. As long as Zayne was not seen by Victor when he returned the night would end well.

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