Lineage of Zeal, Book One: Rosemary

Chapter Three: Departures

The sky lightened gracefully, hanging up its coat of black for a more favorable garment of lilac and honeyed orange. The light of dawn filtered in through the windows of the room Rosemary occupied, splashing the floor, the walls, and the furniture with its morning hues. And, as if on cue, the cock welcomed the coming of the sun over the horizon, just as there was a knock on the door.

Rosemary groaned as she looked about the room she was in. It was not all a dream. She really was in a castle, slated to be the wife of the youngest Prince of Gratia. With a sigh, Rosemary rolled over, putting her back to the door.

Again came the knocking.

"What is it?" Rosemary said from where she lay, her words thick with irritation as she pulled the embroidered quilt over her head.

"I pray I did not wake you," came Renald's voice through the door.

"No, you didn't," said Rosemary, poking her head from the covers like a turtle, "but you're not helping. What do you want?"

"My sincerest apologies. The preparations for your journey are complete. If you would ready yourself and come with me."

Rosemary rolled out of bed, shook out her hair, pulled it back into a ponytail, and threw the door open to find a surprised Renald standing before her. Though he looked as stern and emotionless as ever, she couldn't help but think that to be the case since he did not immediately take to whatever task he was assigned once he had procured Rosemary from her quarters. The man stood there as she looked down on him, unmoving until she cued him.

"What, you were expecting to have to wait? It helps that I don't have anything to change into. I'm not one of the prissy princesses you're used to. Now let's get going."

Renald nodded slowly, as though he were coming out of a daze, and with no further hesitation led Rosemary to the entrance of the castle, where not only the prince, but four more butlers, five maids, and a carriage waited for her. Courtney came to her asking how fared her night, but she paid him no attention. Her focus was on the carriage. She thought she had made it abundantly clear last night: there would be no carriage, not if Courtney wished to accompany her on her terms.

"What's this?" Rosemary asked, pointing to the horse-drawn vehicle emblazoned with the royal crest of Gratia. She allowed the maids a moment to titter not-so-quietly about how informally, not to mention angrily, she addressed the prince. "I thought I said there would be no carriages. No carriages, no guards, no nothing beyond yourself. I would have left last night if I had known you'd go back on your word so easily."

And attempt to leave she did, but the little butler Renald stepped into her path. His action gave her pause for just a moment, but that moment was all Courtney needed to catch up to her. When he neared Rosemary, Renald stepped aside so that Courtney could take his place before the disgruntled red woman. It was all she could do not to barrel through the prince and be on her way because, as she saw it, she had paid her dues. She had attended the prince's dinner. She had slept in his castle. What more did he want? He couldn't still be serious about this whole fiancée thing, because she was tired of playing his little game.

Courtney looked up into her eyes and, at first, said nothing. He studied her, but she refused to meet his gaze. She looked off to the left at the great hedges of the inner courtyard or to the right at the carriage that shouldn't be per their agreement. She was quite tired of dealing with people. All she wanted was to be out looking for her son, and this man had thus far only proved to be a hindrance to her goals.

"My dear Lady Rosemary," began Courtney. He reached up to pull her chin down so he could address her eye to eye, but he let his hand fall halfway toward its destination, turning the opportunity into a chance to straighten a lock of hair that was about to fall into his face.