A Rose for the Crown

Epilogue

Author's POV

"Mom, look at what I found outside!"

"What is it, sweetie?"

"I found a bunny in the garden! Hey, Mom?"

"Oh no, I know that look."

"Can we keep it?"

"How about we ask your father when he comes back okay?"

"Ask your father what?"

"Papa, you're back!" the little girl jumped in his arms in glee.

"How is my little princess going?"

"I'm great and so is Mama!"

"Where is she?"

"Over there," she pointed towards her mother standing by the trees with the bunny in her hands. She joined them petting the little creature.

"How was your day?"

"Would've been better if you were there," he said lightly kissing her temple.

"You say that every day," she giggled.

"But it's true. Palace officials are boring!" he whined, "Now what is this you two lovely ladies wanted to ask me?"

"Lilac wants to keep this little dear she found in the garden."

"Can I Mama? I'll take care of it, I promise."

The woman sighed and looked at her husband for help.

"Of course you can keep it sweetheart!"

"Tenebris!"

"Yay!"

"Lilac, go play inside with your bunny okay? Mommy will be there soon."

The little girl ran to her room with her new friend.

"Tenebris, she turned seven a week ago. Don't you think she's too young to be in charge of a pet?"

"At least she didn't bring back an actual deer."

"True, but if anything happens, you're being held responsible."

"Yes, ma'am."

She sighed and detached her hair, letting it flow down her back, "I think it's time I cut my hair."

"You can't cut your hair! It's so pretty!" He whined.

"I don't know. It's getting hard to drag this mane all day."

Her hair flowed down her body reaching past her knees. Any longer and she'd be picking up twigs.

"Okay, I'll cut it but I refuse for it to go higher than the mid back."

"Okay, now let's go inside. Lilac's waiting."

Hands clasped together they went to meet their little ball of sunshine. When they opened the door their hearts warmed in happiness. She had fallen asleep with the little bunny tucked beside her face.

"Look they bonded already. You can't possibly separate them now." He said running his finger through her hair.

"I get it okay, she can keep the bunny but remember."

"I know Rose if anything happens it's my fault. It's always my fault." he sighed in mock annoyance.

She huffed and walked away to the kitchen. It was time for lunch.

Rose's POV

I was cutting up vegetables in the kitchen with Orchid. A couple of years after he declared his love to me, we got married. We lived in a castle not too far away from the Talus Cave. It was not too hot or too cold. Little Eddy didn't want me to go so we invited his family to stay with us. Orchid does the cooking, cleaning and pretty much all mundane tasks. There's only a handful of servants that live here so it's kind of a lot of work. I keep telling her I can help but she refuses, stubborn woman. Her husband, Eric, was Tenebris' personal guard. Little Eddy was Lilac's best friend and I quote "her knight in shining armour".

"I told you already, you don't have to help me, Rose."

"And I told you that I don't want to sit around and do nothing while you work."

"I acknowledge your request, but I am not prepared to face his wrath should you get hurt."

"Orchid, I'm pregnant, not crippled."

She sighed and kept preparing the meal, "I know but I expect you to sit down in the next 20 minutes."

"Yes, mother."

We prepared the rest of our lavish lunch and rolled it out on a cart. Because of her persistent nature, she managed to make me sit down and do nothing for a solid 5 minutes. I'm still surprised I didn't whine.

She helped me get up and led me to the dining hall. Together we sat and ate talking merrily.

The kids went off to play with Eric. In the meantime, Orchid brought the dishes back to the kitchen. I was left with the love of my life.

"How are they doing?" He asked caressing my growing bump.

"More active than usual. I've been kicked three times today."

"I guess I better prepare myself to have another little one running around."

"If they're anything like you, I'll have my hands full."

He placed his hands to his chest in mock hurt, "How could you say such a thing?"

I ignored him and made my way back to our room. Lily quite literally made a copy of my home. Fairies from all over the forest gathered their energy and magic to build this fortress. Although, they did make small changes to my room. The chandelier that used to hang from the centre was replaced with multiple small crystals hanging from the ceiling. They looked like stars, it was the most beautiful sight at night. The floor was almost the same except for a distinct square of rainbow-coloured tiles situated at each corner of the room. My bed vanished shortly after I left my old domain. I was surprised, to say the least when I saw it in my new room after we moved in. Lilac's crib was still there in all it's lavender beauty. We decided to keep it beside my dresser as a little souvenir of her birth.

"Why did you leave me back there? That wasn't very nice."

I smacked his hand as soon as he touched me, "Stop acting like a child!"

"That's my job, Papa!" our daughter exclaimed as she dashed towards my King.

Tenebris was thrown to the ground, startled by our sunshine's brisk entrance. I laughed and felt a jolt on my stomach.

"They're kicking again," I smiled placing my hand on the area.

Lilac rushed over and felt my stomach, "Why is the baby kicking you?"

"Because the baby is happy!"

Tenebris came over to my side, kissing my temple. This family of mine, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.