The Royal Rose

The Ending

The Witch showed them all the manifestations of her spell. Everyone at the palace was old, and frail. All the young girls of the kingdom were drained of their youth and beauty, leaving behind old women sitting quietly in a room. Prince Luke looked around, trying to find his mother and father.

The Witch laughed,"They aren't here, silly boy! I have kept them separately. After all, they're the rulers of this kingdom."

Prince Luke dashed and pulled out a sword from the sculptor's hand. "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

The Witch smiled," I want two things. First thing is this girl next to you. Second thing is that I want you to marry Megan."

"I won't do any of this."

He attacked the Witch but she dodged. She raised her hand, and iron chains appeared around Prince Luke's arms.

"You have to, or your parents would die. And all of the people who have came to attend the ball."

Rose shouted, "What have you done to my father?"

"He died. I made him marry me, because all I wanted was You."

"Why me? What's so special about me?" Rose walked towards Prince Luke, and tried to free his hands.
"You can have me. But Let him go, and free all the people from your spell. Please."

The Witch pointed to her daughter," Check the preparations for the sacrifice."

Megan nodded, and left the room. Prince Luke was still tied, and Rose was stroking his arms gently. "Please let him go."

"Your blood will make me immortal."

"My blood?" Rose shook her head." Why would it?"

"The day, I gave those apples to your mother. I planted an embryo inside her, that wasn't her own. I had stolen the Fairy Queen's fetus. Your mother gave birth to a Fairy princess, and she died because she was only a mortal human. She couldn't bear it. Your mother knew that there was something different about you, before she died. She asked your father to take you away. So, he hid you deep inside the forest where I couldn't find you. But one day, I saw him in the city and it gave me another opportunity to search for you."

"What are you talking about?" Rose shook her head in disbelief. "I can't be a Fairy Princess."

"I married your father, and tried to ask more about you. But he managed to keep you hidden even then until the last time. He was very ill. The poison was working, and before he died, He told me to take care of you."

"YOU POISONED MY FATHER?" Rose picked the sword, and attacked her. The sword scratched her arm, and it started bleeding. "You little bitch!" The Witch raised her hand, and Rose flew across the room and hit the wall.

"ROSE!" Prince Luke shouted. Rose got up and rubbed her head.
"Yes, I killed him. I kept waiting for the full moon to sacrifice you, but you ran away."
She dragged Rose to another room, where an altar was ready for her sacrifice. The moonlight pierced through the windows,and lighted the table. Megan was waiting beside it, while the Witch made her lie down. The chains flew across the table,griping her abdomen tightly. Rose stared at the silver moon, hidden partially behind clouds. 

The witch changed from her normal human form to a large two headed snake, and hissed over her head. There was a sharp voice, from the other room. So, Megan rushed out to check. While the gigantic serpent moved closer to Rose.

"The Royal blood would grant me immortality." 

One of the head whispered. Rose closed her eyes,and recalled her father telling her bed time stories. The stories where good always win over the bad. But where was the good now? Was anyone going to save her, or she'll die on this altar?

Suddenly, there was a sharp scream from the next room. It was Megan's voice. The serpent zigzagged towards the voice, out of the room.

Rose tried to free herself from the chains, but she couldn't. She felt the warmth of someone's hands over hers. The silver moonlight materialized into a woman's face, hovering over her as she opened her eyes.

"Mother?"
It was the same woman, she saw in her dream earlier. She moved her fingers on the chain, and they disappeared. The woman smiled, and vanished away. Rose got up, and rushed towards the door. At the left side of the wooden door were swords, inside frames. Rose pulled out one, and peeked outside the room.

Prince Luke had killed Megan, and her body was decaying at one corner. While, the two headed snake was attacking him. Prince Luke pierced one of the head with his sword, while the other attacked him.
Rose dashed and pushed the whole blade through the snake's throat.

Crimson red fluid started oozing out from the wound, as the darkness of the Palace was gobbled up by the bright golden lights.The music started playing loudly,and the chattering of guests were heard in the ball room. Rose found herself dressed in a beautiful ball gown, standing at the balcony. Everything returned back to normal in a glimpse. She stared at the carriages downstairs, as she heard footsteps behind her. 

Rose turned around quickly,"Who..."

"I'm sorry,Miss. My intentions were not to scare you."

"Prince Luke?"

He bowed and took her hand in his.

"And you are?" He kissed her head softly.

Rose bit her lip,"Rose Mary."

"Nice to meet you."

He stood next to her at the balcony and talked about random things. Rose realized that, the Prince had forgotten about everything or None of those things have ever happened. Prince adored her beauty, and after talking to her, he fell in love with her personality too. There was something about her, that attracted him from the very first sight. She was too familiar. It seemed like he had met her before, somewhere.

Prince Luke held her arm softly, and he remembered. Everything came back in a flash. "You saved my life!"

"You remember?"

"Yes, I do."

He pressed his lips against her softly.Rose kissed him back. The magic of the first kiss knitted the couple together, as one soul.It wasn't long before the young couple got married. The celebrations lasted for a whole month, and people blessed Rose with prayers. She was kind, beautiful and helpful to everyone. It wasn't hard for her to gain popularity among the people. Everyone adored her.Rose and Prince Luke lived happily ever after.

Alice ran away from the Palace with Hansel and never returned back. Rose provided special care to the old housekeeper couple. She took care of everyone, as much as she could.

Rose became the Princess that everyone adored. She became the 'Royal Rose' of the Royalty garden, that blessed everyone with her fragrance. The kingdom prospered, and Prince Luke conquered many lands. It wasn't long before Rose became the Queen of a very powerful King Luke.