Beauty's Rose

Chapter #4

"MOTHER!" I screamed. I heard her and father's bedroom door creak open just across the hallway. My breathing was fast, and I had a feeling my face mirrored my dyed hair. Red. "What. The. Hell. Is.This." I hissed through gritted teeth as she came into my room.

"What kind of language is that?It's not suitable for a Princes-"

"Don't change the subject, you know what this is." I say, waving the already crinkled note in front of her face. She scans the note, and her eyes light up. "This is marvelous! You can find yourself a Prince!" She said, not meeting my eyes. She was shifty, glancing all around the room.

"What happens if I don't meet them? You would know, seeing as you must've helped arrange it. Who else would do this? And you're always going on at me to find several suitors." I asked her, still fuming. Her eyes narrowed down to slits at my comment.

"And why would you think that? You've assumed that I am part of this brilliant scheme to find you a man?" She sighed. "Wish I'd thought of it. All though, I don't know if your father would've agreed." You would expect that her voice as laced with venom but it wasn't; she was the queen after all. She seemed to always be calm. It could be unnerving, Evie's Mother and all the other women in Hyalae would scream or shout, pointing their fingers; whilst my Mother would stand still, look at you in the eye and say a stern word. That's all it took; she may look beautiful and fragile, but she also had a killer glare and a stern voice. It's terrifying.

"It's obvious you were apart of this- and I keep having that recurring dream where you place a spell on me." She flinched at my comment, and sat down. 

"Fine then. Sit down, and I'll explain. Please don't interrupt me; it's going to take a long time as it is."

~

"I knew you were too fair for a harsh kingdom like Hyalae when you were about nine. Watching you play with butterflies in the meadows, oh, you were so innocent, but too nice for a ruler. If there were any problems, you'd be able sort them out, but never think of the consequences long term. You're also very bad at making decisions, I knew you'd have to have a stable husband to help you along. If you can't make a decision for yourself, how would you make a decision for an entire kingdom? You can't even decide what kind of cereal to eat in the morning! I knew I had to do something, so I looked around for a local warlock who could help me.

"With his help- his name was Lokann Dane, we managed to put a spell on you. It meant that you'd have to pick a man of my choosing, who'd look at things long term, and that you'd marry not just out of love, but with some consideration for the kingdom and the people. During the spell you woke up, which is why you have the recurring dream. There was nothing he could do about that- but anyway. I assume you've read the note? It was written by the warlock, he came here today. Did you see a flash of red robes at your party? That was probably him. Glamour doesn't work well in the Hall, so it appeared as if he was almost flashing in and out. He was keeping an eye on you, he has been for a while actually. Your father doesn't know, he'd never approve. I guess he'll find out now though. You'll have to go and see him in his office soon- not too soon though, he'll be busy replying to everyone about that Vampire scare in the town." 

She was cut off by a quiet knock on the door and Raine poked her head round the door with a small smile. "You okay?" She asked, genuinely curious. "You've seemed a bit off today," Her eyes flickered to mother, and her eyes widened. "Shall I go? Or..?"

"No,  no, it's fine." Mother said getting up, brushing off her skirt as if she hadn't just told me that a spell had been laid on me when I was ten. She sent me a small smile, and was off.

"I'm fine Raine," I reassured her, my breathing shaky. "Here, help me open my presents?" I said with a sly grin, gesturing towards the mammoth pile of presents. I had so many of them, and I was hardly going to be able to do it on my own.  I saw her eyes light up. "Don't you want to do it on your own?" I wondered how often Raine got gifts. All maids and servants went home at Christmas, even those from different Realms. Father made sure of it, knowing otherwise some of them wouldn't be able to see their family at all. I always gave her and the others girts, even small ones.

"Nah! Come on, there's loads of them," She came into my room, and walked towards the presents, and I got up and joined her. We both stood in front of the massive pile of gifts. "So, which one first?"

~

I now owned a lot more stuff. I decided to ask Mary-Lynn to come and help me clean out some of my stuff; she's a minimalist as well as a clothes queen. Thankfully, she picked up on the first ring. I wasn't surprised as I'd spent the night talking to Mother, then sat in Father's office whilst Mother repeated what she'd told me. I'd also done a lot of pacing. Without coffee, the Princess would currently be a zombie.

She agreed to come and help, and true to her word; she did.

~

"Bye!" I called afer Mary-Lynn. She'd just helped me clear out both my room and my wardrobe. She smiled; she couldn't wave as she was clutching bags of my old things to give away. There was also a maid by her side, trying to take some of the heavy looking bags. I laughed as she swatted the maid away. "I'll see you soon!" She called, and then was hidden behind the tinted windows of her car. I push open our heavy front door, which reveals our long hallway, decorated with expensive paintings and intricate wallpaper. We'd be the perfect family to rob, we really would. I make my way up the stairs and into my room. What greets me is an unpleasant sight: one of the petals has fallen off the Rose.

I half walk, half run towards it. The petal read one name: Henry.

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A/N  How's everyone liking it so far? After this chapter it will begin to pick up!

Georgia x