The Last Dragoness (On Hold)

3|Rosalie

I scooped Elisa up and stalked out of the throne room completely aware that I had just infuriated and humiliated my father. And I was also aware that I just made myself look like the prat princess everyone assumed I was.

I went straight to my chambers ignoring the many questions that the guards asked me. When we came into my chambers Anne was there tidying things. I assumed that I looked upset because she set down the broom that was in her hand and hurried to me. She probably realized that I was back from the court early.

"Do you want to tell me about it?" Anne asked gently.

I sighed and pulled Elisa closer to my chest. "Father treated me like a child in front of all the those men."

Anne sighed and followed me to my bed where I laid Elisa down. "Help me Anne?" I gestured to my dress.

She nodded and proceeded to help me undress and brought me my riding clothes. I was always so much more comfortable in pants. My riding jacket was quilted and light purple. My pants were brown along with my boots. My under shirt was a light silvery grey. I decided not go riding and to just sit on my bed with Elisa and Anne. Father didn't like much that I was so familiar with Anne but she had been with me our entire lives before she was assigned my personal maid.

"Anne?" I asked inquiringly.

"Mm?" She asked looking up from Elisa's hair that she was braiding.

"Don't you think Father is overreacting? For treating me like a delicate thing?" I looked at her and Elisa who was laying on her stomach grinning while Anne played with her hair.

Anne sighed and I knew immediately I wouldn't like what she had to say. "Rose, there are still things you don't understand. So know, I don't think he is overreacting with his decision to not let you go to war."

I glared at her. "Traitor. And how is that you are two years older than me but you understand things I don't." I skipped asking how she knew about Father not letting me go to war because need traveled fast amongst the staff in the castle.

"I am three years older than you and I also wasn't raised a princess. I wasn't shielded like you are. I was born into this position." She said gently.

I grumbled and sat at my vanity. A delicate hand pressed to my arm, I looked over to unsurprisingly saw Elisa standing next to me with a frown.

"What is it?" I asked her while picking her up and setting her on my lap.

"Uncle is just trying to protect you." She said in her crystal voice. "You could die if you went to Timiner."

I sighed because she knew too much for her own good. "I know sweetie. Don't worry about me."

~~~~

Elisa had fallen asleep on my bed. I asked Anne to keep an eye on her so I could go riding for a while to clear my mind. When I got to the end of the hallway my room was on I turned right instead of left. Left led to the stairs that went down into the hall outside of the throne room doors. I followed the passageway until I came to a set of stairs and a passage that led left. I took the stairs quickly because I knew if I went left I would pass some guards who would make it known to my father that I was not in my quarters.

The stairs seemed to go on forever but finally that ended and I stepped out into another foyer. On my left was a balcony and my right there were some tapestries and in the middle was a portrait of my father and mother. Half the picture was draped with a see-through black cloth. A pang of dread and sadness hit me but I pushed it away and continued to the hallway opposite of where I stood.

When I had turned right twice I came upon a dead end. Except it was no dead end. I leaned against the wall next to the window and pushed. There was a small creak and the wall gave way. Behind it was an old rickety set of stairs. I started down them and when I was clear of the door pushed it shut again. It was completely dark in the stairwell but I continued.