The Thorns of a Rose

December 12, 1510. I had just woken up from a dream, well more like a nightmare. This isn't the first time I've had this vision. Yet all I can remember is a man with dark brown hair and every time I wake up his face fades from memory. The man holds a silver knife that is bathed in a thick crimson liquid. I'm almost certain that it was blood. At the man's feet, lays a woman. Her back was facing me so I wasn't able to see her face. All I could see was her hair, black as the night and wavy like the ocean.

I sighed and put down my journal. Hoping that some water would help me fall back asleep, I headed down stairs and entered the kitchen. I tried to be as quiet as possible, I didn't want to wake any servants.

In the kitchens I poured myself a glass of water. Before I could take a sip of my drink I saw a woman standing in front of me. She seemed translucent, but at the same time I could make out the details of her face. She had a few freckles dotted across her cheeks, kind eyes that made you forget your worries, and long wavy hair that went part way down her back. I must be delusional I decided. I drank my water as if no one was there.

"It's rude to ignore people." My delusion told me. "Especially since I'm here to help you."

"Are you even real?" I asked.

"I'm not alive if that's what you are asking, but if I'm real or not is up to you." The woman replied.

"Why are you here?" I questioned.

"To uncover the past and what was taken from you." The woman stated.

I just shook my head. This is too weird. Walking away, I retreated to my chambers. I fell back asleep and pretended that it never happened. Everything would be okay in the morning. When I woke up the next morning I had a pounding headache. I sent my servant to go and find the court physician. Shortly after there was a knock on my door, which did not help my headache.

"It's I, the court physician, you summoned me?" The Physician asked.

"Yes, come in." I told him. The door creaked opened.

"What may I do for you Princess Rose?'" He questioned.

"I have a terrible headache and desire medicine to relieve it." I asked.

"Of course princess. I will send a servant for supplies. In the meantime I will have a look at you," The physician declared. The servant scurried off, and the physician turned back towards me, "Did you sleep well last night?"

"I did wake up once from a bad dream, but other than that, yes." I replied.

"What was this dream about, if I may ask?" He questioned.

I then proceeded to tell him of my dream, as he attended to me. I told him everything except for the woman I had seen last night. When I had finished the servant returned with a tray of supplies. The physician went over to it, and mixed together a few items.

"Here drink this it should help." The physician said while handing a cup to me

I swallowed the creamy liquid quickly and thanked him. He collected the ingredients and had them returned to storage. He followed the servant to the door, but paused to look at me.

"One more thing before I go. I believe your mind is trying to tell you something. The library is the best place to learn more about anything." The physician commented.

I stared at the door after he left. That was the second time I've been pushed to find something. I thought back to my dream and what I knew from it. If it had been blood on the knife then I should look into recent murders.

The physician mentioned the library, so I might as well start there. I got out of bed and put on one of my simpler gowns. I left my chambers and made my way to the library. I was stopped once by a servant, who only asked if I needed anything. As I entered the library, the records keeper approached me.