Dark Rose [#Wattys2016]

Twelve**Chloe

Dedicated to Jai_Notez

" 'NO', SAID THE KING. 'I HAD RATHER DIE THAN PLACE YOU IN SUCH A GREAT DANGER AS YOU MUST MEET WITH IN YOUR JOURNEY."

-"THE WATER OF LIFE"; THE BROTHERS GRIMM

"I UNDERSTAND THAT MY DAUGHTER trusts you." King Adam confirmed.

I nodded. "I guess so." I rubbed my hands on my jeans, feeling a little weirded out. Of all the days, I had never thought I would speaking to the King about harboring his daughter in my house, meet the nephew of a another royal family, and find out that the princess's life line is tied a small and simple Rose, much like the Labette tale of this country. Well, it's not a tale anymore.

"Good. I believe you, even though your answer didn't seem as reassuring." He poured a glass of scotch and sat down across from me in his desk. My back was beginning to ache from the hard oak wood chairs. I had to shift every few seconds. "Here are my conditions: My daughter is more important than my own life, and while I carry myself well, this situation is as hard on me as anyone else in this kingdom. As King, allowing the princess to be taken away to a safer place than here is easy, but as a father it's painful." He looked at me, searching for understanding, but as sad as it was, I couldn't give him that. "Now, I need you to promise that you will do everything in your power to keep her safe. I realize how enormous this is to request this of you, given the night you've probably had, but I don't have any other options at this moment. I need you to harbor my daughter in your house until we can figure this situation out."

I opened to my mouth to speak but before I could say anything he says, "She will go to school as a normal school girl, disguised of course. We can enroll her on Monday. I will give her enough money for clothes and other expenses and of course I will pay you—"

"Please don't." I interrupted, but once I realized that I shut my mouth. "I'm sorry." I apologized. "Look, I understand that this is serious, and I will keep her safe. You shouldn't need to pay me for that." I amended.

For a moment, he looked astonished that I would say something like that.

"Alright." He said finally. "She'll be going with you tonight. The sooner, the better." He finished the rest of his glass, and set the cup down, folding his hands in front of him.

"Okay." I agreed.

King Adam flicked his hand upwards and Jim came around, his hands folded behind his back and stood next to his boss. "Jim, will bring some of her things from here, but we'll move the Rose somewhere else. Clearly, it's not safe here anymore. And I know Autumn feels the same way." He shook his sadly and rubbed his eyes. This was probably stressful on everyone, especially for the King and Queen.

"I guess we should go." I said, standing up as gracefully as I could. "I'm sure you've a lot of stress over this." Of course they do, you moron. I immediately winced at my inner voice, noting that she right.

"I appreciate your kindness." King Adam said, and that was about as close to a "thank you" that I could possibly get.

"No problem." I paused. "Your Highness." I bowed shortly and walked out the door, which was blocked by two of the guards. "Excuse me." I smiled politely. They wouldn't budge.

"Let her pass." The King said, and without procrastinating, they stood back in a formal pose—fist behind their backs and their left arms rigid and straight—and let me pass.

"Thank you." I nodded to both of them, but they still didn't move. Feeling the air settling on an awkward cloud, I decided to leave it be and move on. I met a maid halfway down the long hall and when she saw my face her immediate reaction was turn the other way. The maid opened a door and poked her face in, saying something and nodding at the same time. Finally, someone pushed open the door and a man in a grey suit and black slacks came out. He had blond and white hair and an afterglow like sunshine.