Crowned Upon

Chapter 12

"Queen Elena was a queen unlike any Nova had ever seen before. She was beloved in such a tremendous way that I don't truly believe our country or its inhabitants will ever cease to be pained by her early demise. She was full of kindness, class, elegance, and beauty. She will forever be missed, and she will forever be loved. Long live the Queen, God save us all."

She knew the words from memory, her eyes sweeping over the page was merely just a formality. The Official Biography of Elena Mirabella Carrington was the only book Rosalie had ever read willingly. It had become sort of a comfort tactic over the years to flip through the pages.

Rosalie stared at the included pictures of her mother. She was beautiful, of course. Rosalie looked just like her. She often wondered if that was why her father could barely stand to look at her.

She was more than that, though. Rosalie could tell, just from looking at the photos, that she was good. Rosalie had heard from countless people about how amazing of a woman Elena was. It didn't comfort her, the way the words were supposed to. Rather, it made her angry.

Why had these people had the chance to know her mother? Why couldn't Rosalie be good, be loved? Why had her mother left her without teaching her how to be like her?

Rosalie was scowling at a page when she was interrupted. "You look just like her." Kace murmured.

"That's where the similarities end." Rosalie informed him.

He looked like he was going to respond but thought better of it. "Where have you been?" He asked instead.

"Locked away in my tower." She retorted.

"Are you free now?" He took a seat in the leather chair next to hers.

"More or less." She responded, avoiding looking at him. She didn't want to see the pity in his eyes.

"Rose." He murmured.

"Don't say it, Kace." She warned him.

He ignored her. "We need to talk about what happened in that shed."

"Nothing happened." She insisted stubbornly, eyes focused on the print but not reading anything.

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure we both know secrets about each other that nobody else knows. And that's more than nothing."

She snapped the book shut. "Why can't you just leave it alone?" She stood to leave.

He stood, too. "I get that you're scared!" He stepped closer to her. "You spend all of your time pretending to be somebody you're not because you're afraid to show anyone what's really in your heart."

His gaze was burning uncomfortably into hers, but she couldn't look away. He continued, "But guess what? I've seen the real you, Rosie. And I liked it. I really fucking liked it. And I want you to show me more. I want to see all of you, and I want to show you all of me."

She was trapped by his gaze, frozen in place. She couldn't respond, couldn't move. She didn't understand. He liked her? She realized then, as she was looking into his eyes. He wasn't looking at her with pity, he was only looking at her as if he cared.

She didn't know what to say. Fortunately, she was saved from having to respond when Mr. Lincoln entered the library.

His eyes surveyed the two of them standing so closely together. Rosalie took a step back.

"Have either of you heard from James?" He asked.

"Not since breakfast." Kace answered. "Why, is something wrong?"

"We can't find him anywhere." Mr. Lincoln explained. "Did he say anything to you, Rosalie?"

Rosalie bit her lip, guilty. "He's safe."

"You know where he is?" Mr. Lincoln looked relieved.

"Not exactly." Rosalie answered. "He wouldn't tell me where he was going, but he assured me he'd be fine."

"James escaped from the palace?" Kace asked in disbelief. Everyone expected this from Rosalie, but James had always been a rule-follower.

Mr. Lincoln looked like he was going to be sick. "Is he insane?"

"He'll be fine." Rosalie assured them. "I leave all the time. Nothing bad has ever happened."

"He's the prince, Rosalie. Do you know how many people are after him?" Mr. Lincoln snapped at her.

Rosalie flinched slightly. The prince. Right. She'd forgotten how much more important he was than her. She lowered her voice, looking down at her feet. "I'm sorry. But he said he was going to be safe, and I trust him."

She shuffled past Kace, who tried to hold her gaze. She looked away and kept walking.