Royal Flower

Chapter Seven

Acacia tried not to flinch when she heard a burst of laughter from the other side of the room. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, Ivy seemed to see right through her facade.

"Are you okay, Acacia?" Ivy asked.

Acacia exhaled before glancing at Ivy. "Me? I'm fine," she said. Ivy just stared at Acacia expectantly for another few moments. Acacia finally sighed. "This party is just too happy."

Ivy shrugged in agreement. "I think so too. I kind of just want this party to end."

Marguerite suddenly came over with glasses of water. "Everything alright, girls?" When she saw Ivy and Acacia's eyes, Marguerite frowned as she set down the goblets on a nearby table. "What's wrong?"

Ivy spoke up. "Why couldn't Rose's birthday party be like... not today?"

Acacia also nodded. Marguerite sighed softly before saying, "I'm sorry, girls. Rose initially wanted to extend the date, but the party ended up being today."

Acacia asked, "If Rose wanted the party another day, why didn't we move it?"

Marguerite replied, "Amaryllis insisted on having the party today."

"Why? It's obvious none of us are having a good time," Ivy argued.

"Sweetie, Amaryllis believed that this was the best way to move on," Marguerite finally said, patting Ivy's shoulder. She glanced at Rose, who was talking with Lily. "Your sister is a strong woman. I have no doubt both of you will grow up to be as strong as her." When Marguerite looked back at Ivy and Acacia, she could see that they were still uncomfortable being in a room full of celebration. "It's getting late, and since the both of you don't want to be here, do you want me to walk you both to your rooms?"

Ivy and Acacia instantly nodded, seeing their opportunity to get away from the happy celebration.

Marguerite smiled, "Let's go, then."

Ivy and Acacia grabbed both of Marguerite's hands as Marguerite walked down out of the ballroom. Chase watched them warily as they disappeared.

There's Marguerite... but Amaryllis still isn't here, Chase thought. Hmm, well I might as well keep an eye on Rose while I'm waiting for Amaryllis.

Chase pushed past other citizens, his eyes fixed on Rose. Lily was at her side, keeping her company. They were both standing at a high table. They seemed to be waiting for someone. Chase stood by a nearby high table so that he could see Rose and Lily and hear them as well without being obvious.

"Have you seen Violet, Lily?" Rose asked worriedly. "It's been two hours and she still hasn't shown up."

Lily shook her head. "I haven't seen her all day."

Rose continued to look around. She then put a hand to her heart and sighed in relief. "There she is."

Chase looked at the other side of the room where Rose and Lily were looking. Violet came in the entrance dressed in a purple gown with her hair in slightly messy waves. A stable boy escorted her towards Rose and Lily.

"There you are," Rose said when Violet reached the table. "We were worried about you." Rose then furrowed her eyebrows. "Why do you smell like horses?"

Violet rolled her eyes and replied, "I went horseback riding."

"So that's what you've been doing all day." Lily smiled.

Lily and Violet exchanged a few laughs. Rose kept a neutral expression. She then saw the stable boy. "Who is this, Violet?"

The stable boy looked slightly surprised when Rose addressed him. Violet gestured. "This is Julian, the new stable boy."