Saving Rose

Chapter 2

Rose stared at her mother, mouth agape. It must be a mistake. Or some kind of strange birthday joke she didn't quite understand. Her mother would never make her marry someone she didn't like, let alone someone she didn't know. Would she?

"I know this is a lot to take in," her mother murmured, squeezing Rose's hand. "I understand you might be feeling overwhelmed by the idea."

But the squeeze of her mother's hand sprinkled a dose of reality on Rose's head, and she felt in that moment as if she had been plunged into a bucket of ice water.

"So...this isn't a joke?" she whispered, staring down at her hands. They seemed so small inside her mother's. So small and helpless. "But what if I don't want to marry Prince Andrew?"

"I'm afraid it isn't a joke," her mother agreed. "Believe me, I wish things could be another way. I wish you could marry for love, the way your father and I did. But this is the way it has to be."

Grappling with the knowledge that she would soon be wed to a stranger, Rose pulled her hands away and stood. She folded her arms across her chest, lips puckering into a purse as she rounded on her mother.

"Why?" she asked, the word sharp and pointed. "Why do I have to marry him?"

The Queen rose from her throne, the very image of elegance and grace, so very unlike her daughter in that moment. "Prince Andrew's father represents that nations to the West. If you and Prince Andrew marry, then our Kingdom will become allies with his. This is a chance for a very powerful partnership, one that won't be possible without you."

Rose remained silent. She watched the maids continue to lift gems high into the air where they hung in place, woven into intricate patterns, scattering shards of colored light across the floor.

"So that's it?" she whispered, fighting back the hot prickle of tears behind her eyes. "I get no say?"

"I know it seems hard right now," her mother soothed, wrapping an arm about Rose's shoulders. "But the strength of this Kingdom depends on you. You're the only one who can save us, Rose. You're doing something wonderful for the palace, and the city. And for us. For your family too."

Rose sighed. Perhaps this was what it meant, to get older. Her mother always said there would come a time when she would have to put away childish things and accept her place in the world. But somehow, Rose never figured it would happen so soon. With all hopes of receiving her birthday wish now dashed, she nodded.

"If I have to marry Prince Andrew, then I have to," she whispered, fighting around the lump in her throat.

The Queen smiled. "You've made me very proud, Rose. Now, let's make these decorations sing. The hall must look resplendent if we're to host a wedding here!"

She clapped her hands, and the gemstone chandeliers shook several times before falling to the floor with a clatter. All the while Rose watched as the women around her flew into a tizzy, gathering up only the most beautiful of all gems, and a knot of dread formed in her chest. In one short day, she would be marrying a stranger.

Her whole life as she knew it was about to change.