"What did you just say?" Rose asked, staring at the three ladies standing in her room.
"I said, Mister Henry told Welma not to serve you dinner in your bedchambers tonight as you won’t be dining in your quarters as usual. Rather, you’d join the crown prince to eat dinner," Chelsy explained, slowly this ti.
Rose heard her clearly the first ti, but much like the first ti, it still didn’t make much sense to her. Why would she join him for dinner?
"Why?" she asked, looking from one person to another.
Chelsy shook her head while looking at Rose with a puzzled expression. Welma also wore a similar expression—only Isla seed excited.
"We do not know," Welma replied.
"Are you certain of this?" Rose asked in disbelief. She had only half her behind on the chair beside the table.
Chelsy nodded. "The kitchen didn’t even make dinner for you so you have no option but to eat with his highness," Isla comnted, and Welma nodded in confirmation.
"When we arrived—Isla and I—we were told to go away and find Mister Henry. Of course, it was hard to find him, it’s dinner ti, and he would be busy organizing dinner for the royal family. Luckily, we found Welma instead, and she told us what he said."
"It’s already ti for dinner," Welma cut in. "We have to get you dressed. You might end up being a little late if we don’t start now."
Rose paused for a bit. She probably didn’t need much help to get ready, and more importantly, she needed to speak to Welma. After now, she wouldn’t be able to see her until tomorrow morning, and the sisters would be here too. This was the perfect ti.
"Chelsy, Isla, you may retire early. You both have been here with most of the day, trying on the different dresses. Welma will help prepare to see the crown prince."
"We don’t mind, and the more hands the better," Isla suggested, grinning from ear to ear. She hasn’t been able to stop smiling since she heard about Rose’s dinner with the crown prince.
"I insist," Rose said with a smile.
Isla looked as if she might complain, but her sister grabbed her wrist and Isla slowly nodded. "Goodnight, Rose," she whispered.
"Goodnight, Isla. Goodnight, Chelsy."
"Goodnight, Rose," Chelsy said and pulled Isla’s wrist, leading her towards the door.
The sound of the door closing sounded almost deafening in the silent standoff between Rose and Welma. Welma didn’t move a muscle, and neither did Rose move from where she sat. For an even longer mont, neither of them said anything.
After so ti, Rose broke the silence. "Was the Queen pleased with the information you provided?" Rose asked with a snarky tone.
"More like the opposite," Welma replied imdiately, not taking offense at Rose’s tone. "They are planning sothing," she added even before Rose asked.
"What?" Rose asked, hoping she sounded calm, but to be honest, she nearly jumped out of her skin when Welma told her the Queen was plotting sothing again.
"I don’t know. I am not usually a part of the planning process, but I think the Queen will do sothing soon, as the crown prince will leave the castle in a few days."
"Pardon?" Rose asked, wondering if she had heard wrong. "The crown prince will leave the castle?"
Welma nodded. "I don’t know the details, but the crown prince will embark on a journey to the town of Futherfield in a few days," Welma explained.
"Do you know why?" Rose asked and wrapped her arms around her body. The crown prince was leaving. She didn’t want to think about it, but she didn’t need anyone to tell her it would be a bad idea to remain in the castle when he wasn’t here. It didn’t matter if he left her with enough guards—it would be suicidal for her to remain here.
Welma shook her head. "Well, there have been talks about bandits attacking Futherfield," Welma replied. "I think that’s why."
Rose frowned. "Bandits?" she asked and rubbed her arms so more. Why was it suddenly so cold?
She wasn’t particularly aware of this. To be honest, she didn’t really know what happened in the kingdom except through gossip. Besides, she doubted this was information available to just anyone.
"Yes," Welma replied.
"What exactly did you tell the Queen?" Rose asked. She wanted to know how to prepare herself for the Queen’s attack.
"Not much," Welma started to say. "I only ntioned the guards and the fact that I can still serve you. I did not ntion a word about the new dresses."
Rose nodded. The new dresses were a source of worry to her. The Queen had ruined the last one—only the heavens knew what she would attempt if the Queen were to find out that the crown prince got more dresses for her.
"Shall I help you get ready?" Welma asked when Rose didn’t say anything more.
Rose nodded absentmindedly as her thoughts churned. Other than the Queen’s plans before the crown prince leaves, there was still after the prince leaves. She wouldn’t survive until he returned. Was there a way she could convince him to let her go, at least just for the period he would be away?
"You look pale," Welma comnted as she brushed her hair.
Rose snapped out of her thoughts and t Welma’s eyes in the mirror. "I am scared," she said without thinking much about it.
Welma looked shocked that Rose would tell her sothing like that, but she didn’t say anything rude. She simply nodded her head and said, "You have enough reasons to be. I will put so color on your face—it should help."
Rose nodded, and the conversation fizzled out again.
After Welma was done, Rose stared at her reflection. Even though it looked like her, Rose could barely see herself—she was too anxious.
There was also the dinner with the crown prince. Why would he want to eat with a peasant? But worst of all—what if the Queen found out? At this rate, they wouldn’t even find her ashes by the ti the Queen was done with her.
"Rose," Welma called, snapping her out of her thoughts again. "You have to go."
"Ah, yes," Rose said and turned away from the mirror. She needed to get a grip on herself. However, ever since she got into the castle, she hadn’t gotten a mont of peace.
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