Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
As soon as Natalie was finished with their lesson for the day–though she promised she would be back in the following days for more–Rosie followed her out into the hall to ask her if it was indeed Prince Jonathan who had requested her help.
“It was,” Natalie said with a smile.
“I shall have to thank him then,” Rosie said, feeling herself blush. “I’m afraid… I’m afraid I wasn’t very civil to him the last time we spoke.”
But to her surprise, Natalie only broke into a laugh. “He tends to have that effect on people. He always means well, but sometimes my cousin forgets the definition of the word tact.”
“I understand that deficiency all too well,” Rosie said with a slight grimace. “Do you know where I could find him to thank him?”
“Oh, he won’t want to be thanked.” Natalie waved dismissively.
“Besides, he left this morning and won’t be back for several days.
My uncle sent him on a diplomatic trip to one of our neighboring kingdoms. Thornhope, I think, to meet Lady Sandra’s husband.
” Natalie delicately shuddered, and Rosie couldn’t help but laugh as well.
After Natalie’s departure, Rosie found that she felt much better. Natalie was extremely knowledgeable on all the court politics. She’d even included the major past and current court scandals.
“You ought to know about them so you can avoid becoming entangled in them,” she’d added. More than anything, though, Rosie hoped that in time, Natalie might even become a friend.
Rosie desperately wanted a friend.
She had her sister, though, she scolded herself, and her mother, who had looked even more terrified when Natalie left than when she’d arrived. Rosie didn’t need any new friends.
She was forced to admit to herself over the course of the next few days, however, that she should like very much to have some.
Snow was always busy now with the queen or with Frederick, and their mother refused to stir from her room.
And despite several failed attempts, Rosie didn’t even get the chance to tell Snow about her encounter with the troll, as Snow was literally gone every morning from the time Rosie woke up until after Rosie went to bed.
The day after Natalie came, Rosie wandered down to the kitchens to see if she could help there. But upon asking, it was made very clear that she wasn’t welcome to practice baking when the staff was preparing for the next meal. Which meant her only solace was in the gardens and orchards.
Still, things were improving. At least she was welcome outside. And a few days later, Natalie’s gowns were delivered.
Just as she had promised, they were just as beautiful as the ones the other court women wore.
Not as fancy, perhaps, but Rosie preferred gowns that were on the simpler side.
She didn’t like feeling like a cake dressed all in frosting with bows and ribbons and lace galore.
And better still, the other women–even Lady Sandra and Miss Marianne–stopped mocking her for what she wore.
Of course, that didn’t mean they left her alone. Three days after meeting Natalie, Rosie was sitting beside her sister at luncheon when she became aware of a conversation involving her name several seats away.
Don’t listen, she chided herself. Eavesdropping never blessed anyone. But soon it was impossible not to hear, and she was almost convinced that it was being spoken so that she would take heed.
“… The prince’s bride-to-be is progressing as well as can be expected, according to the queen. She’s a quick learner, and her manners are as pretty as her face.”
Rosie didn’t look up to see who was speaking, but she was fairly sure it was a thin man with a sallow face who was the youngest son of a duke. She’d been introduced to him once and hadn’t been impressed. She was also rather convinced that the feeling was mutual.
“But her sister,” he continued, whispering very loudly to the woman beside him, “has quite the poor education, from what I hear. Rather vulgar manners, and she’s read very little.
Her father was educated, but he died when the girls were still quite young.
Lady Rose, was, apparently, a rather feral child, running through the forest barefoot, climbing trees, and finding all sorts of mischief. ”
“Quite sad,” said a familiar, grating voice.
Rosie sighed, recognizing it as Lady Sandra’s.
“That’s why I hired the most expensive tutors money could buy for Marianne,” the woman went on, her words unreasonably loud. “Her father and I never wanted her to be a pretty nincompoop.”
She glanced meaningfully at Rosie, but at that moment, Rosie was trying to smother a smile.
You could ask for your money back, was on the tip of her tongue. But she quickly took a bite of bread to keep her mouth from repeating her mind’s quick retort.
She didn’t need to stir up any more trouble than she already had. And a glance at her sister told her that Snow had been listening to one of Frederick’s stories, rather than to Lady Sandra.
Rosie was glad. Had Snow heard the conversation, there was a good chance that she would have demanded to know what Rosie was smiling about, and then the court would have learned just how very un-pretty the future princess’s manners could be when provoked.
But Rosie didn’t want her sister provoked.
Snow’s future had to be protected. She and Frederick weren’t married yet.
And Rosie could survive insults well enough. They didn’t draw blood.
At least, not the visible kind.
Still, it was becoming increasingly clear that Rosie’s life was on a very lonely trajectory.
Her mother seemed to have forgotten how to speak.
She left her rooms only for events to which she was explicitly invited and nothing more, and when Rosie tried to coax conversation from her, she answered in the shortest way possible.
Snow, of course, was always one for conversation, but she was around less by the day.
She was growing more popular with the court, having passed some unspoken test that Rosie seemed to have failed–a test she hadn’t known was being given.
And for all the court seemed to think it now, Rosie was no idiot.
She was more than a little aware that while she was tolerated by the court… she was not welcome.
To distract herself that afternoon, Rosie made a list of the fresh ingredients she would need to make an experimental cake, and then went in search of them in the gardens. After half an hour’s walk, she sat down and began jotting down numbers based on what she’d seen.
“For all Lady Sandra says about her daughter’s abilities, I’d be shocked if Miss Marianne ever did half this much work in her life,” said a deep voice from above.
Rosie looked up to see Prince Jonathan standing over her shoulder, studying her numbers on the paper. He was still wearing his riding clothes, and his boots were encrusted with mud as though he had only just returned from stabling his horse.
“You’ve been back for five minutes, and you’ve already heard about my deficits?
” Rosie gave him a dry grin, trying to ignore the little jump for joy that her heart made at the sight of him.
“Careful not to stand too close. Your reputation will be tarnished. Over half the palace is convinced that I’m an ignorant bumpkin by now. ”
“It seems Lady Sandra has tried to make it so,” he said, the corners of his mouth turning down.
Rosie’s smile fell. Had this woman put her down to the prince’s face? What else was she saying that hadn’t hit Rosie’s ears yet?
“But the servants like you,” continued the prince thoughtfully, his eyes still on the paper. “And that’s saying a lot.”
Rosie laughed in surprise. “And how do you know that they like me?”
“Because I asked them,” he said with a shrug.
Rosie blinked. “Do you ask your servants many things?”
“Of course.” He smiled slightly. “Where do you think I get most of my intelligence about the castle’s goings-on?”
Rosie stared at him, not sure what to say to that.
But he only stepped back and surveyed her. “That gown becomes you. Is it one my cousin chose?”
Rosie blushed, but this time with pleasure. “Yes,” she said, feeling suddenly as stupid as Lady Sandra made her out to be. But then she remembered what she needed to say.
“I’m glad you’re back,” she said, getting to her feet and hurrying through her words before she lost her nerve.
“Because… because I need to thank you for your kindness toward my family and my sister in particular, providing her with the protection from the fairy godmother. And I wanted to… to apologize for the way I spoke to you before you left.”
To her surprise, he only sat on the raised bed and motioned for her to join him.
“I meant it when I said I didn’t wish to give offense.
” He smiled, but it wasn’t happy. “As you’ve begun to see, court politics really are brutal, and they take years to master, if one can ever truly master them at all. ”
“I suppose you’ve suffered from them as well, then?” Rosie asked, suddenly feeling shy. She had no idea why the crown prince kept talking to her, but she must have been more starved for conversation than she knew. Her mouth kept opening and saying things of its own accord.
“Oh, countless times. Like now, for instance.” He grimaced. “My parents are on the hunt for my bride. But loyalties, animosities, and titles complicate everything.”
“So,” she said slowly, “you won’t be able to choose your bride as your brother did?”
“Oh, my parents will consider my wishes,” he said with a gusty sigh.
“But in the end, generally, the crown prince marries as the crown chooses.” He gave her a wan smile, a dark lock of hair falling down over his forehead.
“But then again, tradition works that way. And traditionally, it’s how alliances are made or strengthened for the kingdom. ”
“I suppose I should have known that,” she said with an embarrassed chuckle.
But he just shook his head. “The court games are a little more vicious in my court than in some others. And I think it makes the situation that much more difficult for everyone involved.”
Rosie thought about Lady Sandra and knew exactly what kind of difficulties he was talking about.
“What are you doing?” he asked, nodding at her paper.
“Oh, um, calculating the cost of the cake’s ingredients.”
He raised his brows. “Is this something your mother taught you?”
Rosie laughed, this time in earnest. “Most certainly not. My mother is terrible with numbers, and so is my sister.” She pushed a lock of her own hair out of her face, suddenly self-conscious as he watched her with a surprising intensity.
“Our father was quite educated and rather meticulous, however, and he taught me before he died.”
“So I gather then that you’re the one who kept the family in economy,” the prince said.
“Well, yes,” she admitted. “But it wasn’t hard. We’re rather simple people. No one is demanding or entitled. I was always the practical one, though, and Snow was always the one with the golden heart. We work very well that way together.” She smiled fondly then at a memory.
“I remember the first time your brother met her. He was a bear, of course, and she just a girl. Well, I suppose he was just a boy as well, now that I think of it, only in bear form. Anyway, as soon as we realized that he was no ordinary bear, Snow curtsied then and there and introduced us all. Then she shyly asked if he should like to warm himself before the fire and sleep on the rug. And when he did, she spent the rest of the night chattering away at him as though he were her dearest friend.”
Rosie shook her head and grinned at the memory. “I could tell in that moment that he was in love. His eyes hardly left her that night. And every night after that, whenever he was in our cabin, protecting us during those cold winter months.”
She stopped, suddenly aware that she was prattling.
But instead of being annoyed or looking as though he wanted to escape, the prince was only watching her again with that same intensity as before–as though he were trying to take her measure in a single look.
Not knowing what else to do, she continued to talk.
“I think that’s part of why I’m struggling here.
” She sighed. “My sister is excellent at reading people and responding appropriately. It will be helpful in the new role she’s taking on.
But I, on the other hand, just say what I think, and often, it’s not the right thing.
I think I was made to enjoy work. And I’m…
” She paused, looking down at her paper again, suddenly unsure of what to say.
But when she looked up again, he was smiling. It was a kind smile. Not the one he wore in court when called upon to be polite. But gentle and understanding.
“I think you’ll find that–” he began, but in the distance, someone called his name. They both turned to find a servant running toward them.
“Your Highness,” he said, breathing hard as he bowed, “I apologize, but Her Majesty has sent me to find you immediately.”
Rosie nearly missed it, but the prince let out a nearly imperceptible sigh before smiling at the servant and rising.
“Of course. Thank you.” Then he turned to Rosie as the servant left. “I apologize, but it seems I’m needed elsewhere.”
Rosie stood as well and curtsied. “Of course. But… thank you again for all your kindness. And for the tête-à-tête.”
His smile grew. “I enjoyed it.” And to Rosie’s surprise, as he bowed, she realized that she was rather sure he was telling the truth.
Unfortunately, when he was gone, and Rosie found herself alone with her work again, she realized that she suddenly felt his absence far more than she ought.