Following Hearts

Anything to Make You Smile

A week had passed since Rose had walked in on Joplin and Felix in the stables. Two weeks since Rose's announcement at the Coronation Ball. And the public was getting restless.

    The citizens of Adaia were promised a royal engagement, so a royal engagement they would receive. Rose was reminded of this every time she ran into her sister or father, both eager, too eager, for Balthazar to propose so the marriage could continue. When she told Balthazar what happened that day in the stables, what she saw, his heart ached for her.

    "I have nothing to hold onto anymore." Rose paced her room while explaining her predicament to Balthazar. "There's nothing keeping me from marrying you."

    "So you want to go through with this?" Balthazar's eyebrows furrowed.

    "Want is a strong word, but, if I can't be happy, at least I can make my sister and the kingdom happy."

    "Then prepare for the proposal of your life." Balthazar smiled, but his eyes betrayed his cheery expression for a moment, his hazel irises swimming in a deep sea of loneliness.

    "Are you sure you're okay with this? The last time we spoke, you said there might be someone else you-"

    "That doesn't matter," Balthazar cut her off, shaking his head. "The entire reason I'm here, Rose, is for you. I can't promise romance or love, but I can promise that I will do everything in my power to ensure your happiness and comfort for the rest of my life. I'm not a man who breaks his promises."

"But, to give up your own happiness, your own freedom, just like that-"

    "Your kingdom's fate is not the only one resting on this marriage." Balthazar interrupted softly. "I have a duty to my kingdom, to my family, much like you do. Only, mine won't be as forgiving if I fail." His eyes dropped to the floor as he uttered his words. Rose simply nodded, knowing from the look on Balthazar's face that she shouldn't press any further.

    No one but Balthazar, Ginger, and Ambrose knew of the heartbreak Rose had endured, but her pain was clear as day. Ferdinand was gentle, treating Rose as if she were a glass figurine that was about to break. Amelia and King Ramses continued to prod about her relationship with Balthazar, but their questions became less intrusive and more considerate. Even Valentine, whose brash disposition was hardly ever softened by anything, eased her brazen nature around Rose. They sensed something was wrong, but none of them had any clue what was causing the mousy haired Princess so much hurt. How could they when Rose had kept Felix a secret all this time?

    Rose walked the palace halls while she made her way back to her room. When she passed the dining hall, she lowered her head, averting her eyes from the inside of the room. She hadn't set foot in the dining hall since that day in the stables; she didn't want to risk seeing Felix or Joplin ever again. Instead, Ambrose brought her meals upstairs to her room. Although she missed the buzz of the palace during mealtimes, she couldn't stand to see either Joplin's or Felix's face anytime soon.

    She turned the corner and opened the door to her suite, where she saw Ambrose waiting with two steaming plates of food sat upon her bed.

    "Thank you." Rose took the plate from Ambrose and her mouth watered at the wafting smell of grilled cheese. "My favorite. How did you know?"

    "I asked the cook, Henrietta, what you liked." Ambrose shrugged and picked up his own plate.

    "You're too good to me." Rose took a bite of the sandwich and hummed approvingly, her eyes closed in appreciation.

    "No, I'm not. I'm only as good to you as you deserve." Ambrose laid back on the bed, his hands folded behind his head.

    "You know you don't have to stay with me every hour of the day, right?" Rose nudged the broad-shouldered guard with her elbow. "I'm okay, really."