Rosie dashed through the marketplace streets, dodging people in an intricate dance.
What she had told Aidan had only been a half lie. She was going to her aunts' booth... She just didn't need to be there for another four hours.
As she drew closer to her aunts' booth, the crowd became thicker. Her aunts' apothecary was always a popular stop for the people of the village.
"Aunt Flora!" Rosie cried, hurrying into the booth. "Aunt Fauna! Aunt Merryweather!"
"Hello, my dear!" sang Flora. "What brings you back so early?"
"Another pesky suitor?" asked Merryweather bluntly.
"Now Merry!" scolded Fauna. "Be nice!"
Merryweather rolled her eyes. "Well, Rosie? Who was it this time?"
"Aidan," replied Rosie.
"Which one is he again?" Merryweather asked. "The stutterer or the rambler?"
"The rambler," answered Flora. "Honestly, Merry, you'd forget your head if it weren't attached!"
"Hush now, both of you!" reprimanded Fauna. "Stop your squabbling! You sound like old women!"
Rosie wisely said nothing to that.
"Now Rosie, dear," Fauna asked. "What did Aidan want?"
"He wanted to give me this rose," Rosie answered.
"Along with a lengthy explanation as to how he procured it, I'd guess," said Merryweather, smirking.
Rosie didn't answer.
"Ha!" Merryweather said triumphantly. "I knew it!"
"Merry," chided Flora. "Be nice to Rosie."
"Oh fine!" Merryweather said, rolling her eyes.
"It is my 18th birthday in 2 days," added Rosie. "You have to be nice to me."
Immediately, the mood went from joking to serious. Rosie could've sworn that the temperature in the booth had dropped 10 degrees. The aunts exchanged worried glances. Unfortunately, Rosie noticed.
"What's the matter?" Rosie asked hesitantly. "Is something wrong?"
The aunts again exchanged glances. It had always annoyed Rosie when they did that, and they knew it.
"You're keeping something from me!" Rosie accused. "What is it?"
"You're right, my dear," said Flora after a pause. "There is something we've been needing to tell you. Not wanting to, no, but... We need to talk."
"What about?" Rosie asked.
"Not now," said Fauna. "Not in public."
"Then when?" asked Rosie impatiently.
"It's a surprise for your birthday, my dear," Merryweather said calmly.
Now that was odd, and a bit frightening. The three of them almost never agreed on anything. This must be serious. But what could it possibly be?
•-------------------------------------------•
Hi! I hope you liked this chapter too! I promise to update soon, but play practice starts on Monday, so it might not be as long. Be back in a few days!
