11. Rose
Rose
Scarlet
I step out of the carriage and hand my invitation to the guard at the palace gate.
"Name?" he asks curtly.
"Scarlet Marheart," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.
The guard glances at the invitation, then at me. His eyes narrow. "Your business here?"
I tense, fearing he might recognize me from my previous attempts to infiltrate the palace. But I keep my expression neutral.
"I've been selected as a participant in the king's tournament," I say calmly.
The guard grunts, waving me through. "Go on then."
I breathe a sigh of relief as I enter the palace grounds. My trunk is unloaded, and a servant shows me to the living quarters for the competitors.
The last two times I have been in the palace, I've had guards chasing me out. I can't help the nervous flutter in my stomach as I walk the palace corridors. What if someone recognizes me?
I push those thoughts aside as I enter the room that will be mine for the duration of the tournament. My roommate stands up from her cot as I enter. My heart sinks as I recognize her—Rose, from the guild.
We make eye contact, acknowledging each other as guild members, yet remaining competitors.
Rose speaks first. "Fairy Godmother sent both of us. We should work together."
I eye her suspiciously. "To what end?"
Rose throws up her hands in a placating gesture. "No need to be hostile. I'm just saying two heads are better than one."
But I don't trust her. Rose would stop at nothing to ensure her success, even at my expense. I have no intention of allying with her until I have no other choice.
I study Rose carefully. I can see why Fairy Godmother has chosen her as a backup. We share similar hair color, eye color, and build.
But Rose is usually sent on seductive missions. An image of me kissing the king flashes in my mind. Alright, I admit that Rose might indeed be better suited for this job.
Yet I refuse to give up. I need this chance at freedom too desperately. I need to bring in enough money to fend off the marriage proposals my family insists on giving me. I have to prove myself useful without a grotesque man attached to me.
I speak calmly. "Let's work out sleeping arrangements first, then we'll discuss an alliance."
Rose eyes the cots warily. "I'll take this one." She claims the cot farther from the door.
We change into our tournament uniforms—simple leather pants and tunics. I see Rose's GGG mark on the back of her neck—chains and roses intertwined to create an elegant G. I instinctively touch my own mark on my upper thigh as I change—a G disguised as a woman sitting on the crescent moon.
Rose chuckles. "Different styles, same goal."
I sigh. "You're right. It might be smart to work together."
Rose studies me curiously. "What's holding you back?"
I hesitate, then admit, "I need this win more than you think."
Rose hums thoughtfully. "And yet here we both are." She extends her hand. "So, what do you say? Team up for now?"
I shake her hand, but my grip is firm. "For now." Our truce is uneasy, but it's necessary.
Rose grins. "Alright. What's your plan, partner?"
I look her in the eye. "We compete openly, keep an eye on each other for threats. As we get closer to the prize, we reassess."
Rose nods. "Fair enough. No double-crossing, then?"
"For now." I can't fully trust her, but we need to cooperate.
Rose smiles slyly. "Alright, we understand each other." She holds out her hand again. "Truce?"
I shake it. "Truce." Our agreement is tentative, but for the moment we have a common goal. I can only hope our fragile alliance will last long enough to get me what I need