The Tale of a Princess Fallen from Grace

Chapter Four

It had been a couple of days since Rose's secret meeting with Romi the stable boy. She made sure to stay clear of everything to do with horses, although it did not mean that her mind did not wander to him. On the contrary, she had thought about Romi more then she would ever admit. He was just different to any man she had ever met before. It did not help that she had nothing to take her mind off him apart from sporadic lunches and appointments with Nijah's sisters.

Luckily that would be changing today though. Rose's younger sister Aurora was arriving with her husband King Theodosius and their babies Maxim and Magdalena ahead of Josiah's birthday ball. Rose had not seen her sister in a few months, so she had joyful enthusiasm in her heart and was really looking forward to catching up her and seeing her darling niece and nephew.

Rose was currently eating breakfast in her room, a delightful serving of fresh fruit, puff pastries, jams and meats. The sunlight was streaming in through the large arrow-shaped window, and she was content to eat alone after her maids had dressed her and braided her waist length golden hair.

Rose lifted her head as she heard a distant horse neighing, reminding her yet again of Romi.

She sighed as she placed her sweet pastry back on the painted china plate, wondering if it certified her as a lunatic if she checked to see if it was he. She decided she did not care, as there was only her neatly made four-poster bed in the room to judge her. She made her way at a leisurely pace to the window and curiously looked outside. The sun was shining brilliantly, and a gentle breeze was carefully scooping a few golden-brown leaves from their resting place and moving them further across the dusty land. And there was Romi with a smile upon his face as clear as day. He was leading two majestic black beauties into the nearby field, their hooves lightly patting against the dusty slightly uneven road.

She watched on as two young maids passed by him, giggling and waving as he smiled at them and wished them a good morning. Rose supposed he was... handsome. However, his looks did not matter; he was just an acquaintance - and even that was against the rules. Still, she found herself staring at him as he got further away from her window, until she realised what she was doing and forced herself to look away. She was simply curious about him, but she did not want her feelings to run any deeper. She was already walking on unstable ground, and certainly did not want anyone to know how her thoughts were straying.

A polite knock on the door made her jump and drew her from her thoughts.

"Come in!" She called out as she smoothed her deep red cotton frock with gold detailing down.

A maid peeped her head around the door, and after curtsying respectfully entered and began to talk.

"Good morning your highness Princess Rosilabeth, I have been asked to let you know that their highnesses King Theodosius and Queen Aurora of Yemini have arrived in Aubriemia."

"Oh thank you so much. May you take me to them?" Rose asked excitedly.

"Of course, right this way milady." The maid smiled, her amber eyes and dark skin glowing in the soft light.

Rose followed her into the hallway and through the old stone castle, until they arrived at the great hall with huge painted-glass windows and ornate tapestries hanging from the walls. Inside was Aurora and Theodosius and their children, and Henri and Nijah with theirs. They were two perfect couples with fulfilled lives, and Rose felt quite alone and unaccomplished in comparison.

"Rosilabeth!" Aurora squealed as she noticed her beloved sister standing uncertainly by the great oak doors.

"Hello dear Aurora." Rose could not help the grin that broke out onto her features as her sister dashed forward to embrace her.

"Oh I am so happy to see you! You look so beautiful!" Aurora gushed in the sweet way she was always prone to.

"You too Aurora, although you know that your beauty is unmatched."

It was true. Rose fully considered Aurora to be one of the most beautiful women in the world, and definitely the most pleasing to look at out of her and their elder sister Sapphira. Not only did she have hair that looked like it was spun from gold, ocean blue eyes and delicate, proportioned features, she had a kindness and beauty that radiated from deep within. Sadly, she had had a troubling childhood as pirates kidnapped her when she was only nine years old, and had spent many terrible years at the hands of their brutality, yet she was still a ray of sun amongst storm clouds, and the most positive person Rose knew. She wished she could be more like her younger sister who was loved, accomplished, happy and beauteous inside and out.

"Do not be silly Rosilabeth; I still have not lost the baby weight!" Aurora exclaimed with a merry laugh, although Rose thought she looked to be in the best shape of her life. Her figure was more womanly now.

"Maxim, Magdalena, come here darlings, look - it is Auntie Rosie!" Aurora exclaimed as she bent to her children's height, as Maxim was holding onto his father's cloak and Magdalena was offering her cousin Kinnette a flower.

Rose's eyes automatically flickered to Josiah who was in his step-in mothers arms. Nijah caught her looking and smiled warmly, which Rose returned a little stiffly.

"Annie Wosie?" Magdalena mispronounced adorably as she pointed at Rose with a huge smile.

She then launched herself towards Rose with a giggle, melting her heart with love and sweetness. Her yellow dress with little pink flowers on swished around her feet before she threw herself into Rose's awaiting arms (as she crouched to her level) with a dimpled grin. She was a beautiful baby with bright green eyes that shone like gemstones and wavy fair hair complimenting her peaches-and-cream complexion.

"Hello Magdalena, you look very beautiful." Rose exclaimed with a smile.

"Hallow, hallow." Magdalena chattered before asking to be put down and stumbled over to her twin who was trying to chew his father's cloak.

"She is going to be beautiful, just like you." Rose hummed.

"Thank you my dear, although I have a feeling she is going to be a handful. She hates the word no, and brushing her hair is always a dreadful palaver." Aurora sighed before perking up. "I fully intend for this to be a holiday dear Rosilabeth, and I would love to do some exploring with you! Would you like to go on a horse riding expedition to Emerald Mountain tomorrow? I have heard its beauty is untouched and well worth the ride!"

"Are you sure you want to go with me? One of Nijah's sisters might be better." Rose suggested with a wince, as she was not the best equestrian and really did not want to run into Romi again.

"Do not be silly Rose! We hardly ever get to spend time together, so I am going to take full advantage of the time we do have. We will ask a guide to take us so that we do not get lost. Besides, Theo will watch over the children so there is no way I am going to waste an opportunity to go out just me and you!" Aurora exclaimed making Rose smile happily.

Theo looked over from his conversation with King Henri as he heard his name mentioned and winked at his wife. Rose was thankful her sister and she were so close, even though they did not see each other very often, as Aurora was Queen of Yemini.

"Ok, well then I would love to go." Rose nodded in confirmation.

She had heard about Emerald Mountain but had never been there - it was the greenest place in Aubriemia, and the second tallest mountain on the continent. It was only accessible by horseback making it very exclusive, and tales of its beauty passed through the generations as ghostly stories, but few could say they had actually been. It was not going to be a very comfortable ride considering Aubriemia was always very hot and humid, but Aurora seemed excited to go so Rose did not feel as though she could decline the offer.

She was embarrassed about it, but she also could not stop wondering whether Romi would be the one taking them up the mountain. Strangely, that made her want to go even more...

Who's read 'The Tale of a Princess Kidnapped by Pirates', Aurora's story? I hope you enjoy this chapter and everyone is staying safe inside! XOXO

Edited