The Royal Rose

The Carriage

Deep in the heart of the forest, in a small cottage lived Rose Mary with her father. He was a merchant and supplied goods to different factories. They weren't very rich, but they had enough to live a contented life.Her mother died giving birth to her, and they had no other relatives.So, it was just Rose and her father.Ray Steven loved his daughter dearly, he worked hard day and night to provide everything to her.But all Rose Mary wanted was two things. First, she wanted to spend time with her father and second, to live in a city. Her father used to visit the city often to supply goods. He always made excuses, and never took her with him. But he always brought back beautiful dresses and jewels.

When Rose was little,she used to get dressed and run across the house to show it to her dad but she was getting bored doing that. She needed friends, at least one other person to talk to.This was the time, when Rose needed her mother so much. Ray Steven understood this, and it made him feel sad.Although, he had brought her a lot of books, so that she could learn about every single thing herself and he tried to fill her mother's place.But she felt lonely.

One day, when it wasn't a very fine morning.The ashen clouds were spread across the sky like a thick blanket. The wind whistled through the trees, and dashed angrily through the clothes on the washing line outside. Rose ran outside to take them off and her golden Retriever,Goldie followed her.

"Go inside,Goldie."

But he kept following her. Rose took off the clothes, one by one but the wind kept snaring angrily at them.

"Rose!"

"Yes,Papa?"

"I'm leaving for the city in a while."

Rose took off the last piece from the washing line, as the wind blew her hair into her eyes.

She brushed her hair back with the free hand, and replied.

"Can I come with you?"

There was no reply, but then her father appeared at the back door. "Not today, but very soon. I'm finding a new house for us in the city."

Rose was excited, and so was Goldie. He jumped around barking, as Rose folded the clothes and placed them on the table. This was the first time in 16 years that her father actually agreed on taking her to the city. She had opened her eyes in this place-a small cottage with a little garden in a middle of the forest.

"You heard that? We will live in the big city." Rose smiled at Goldie and he reciprocated her by wagging his tail. She heard her father coughing hard in his room.She knew, he was ill for more than a week now. But he won't stop working not even for a day. He wanted to earn as much as he could, for his daughter.

"Papa, Are you alright?" Rose peeked through the door.

"Y..Yes! I'm alright, my dear child." He coughed loudly.

"Papa, you should take rest today. You're not well, and the weather's getting worse too."

He smiled, and motioned her to sit next to him.

"I have an unfinished business, after that, I'll stop working for a while. We would spend alot of time together."

"That's all I want from you. I don't need any dress or jewels."

He brushed back her hair, and looked at her innocent face. She was just like her mother.

"Child,This all is for your future."

Rose nodded,"You would be there to take care of me always."

"Not always,my dear. A time would come, when you'd be alone, and I want that time to be pleasant for you."