His Princess Mate

6 - Shocked

დRoseდ

"I wouldn’t do that if I was you, princess,” he snarled out and I immediately shut my mouth. I didn’t feel comfortable and although he looked like a well-respected gentleman, something told me not to trust him. “That’s good, I see you’ve been running around with the wolves,” his remark made no sense to me, and I took a tiny step back. I had nowhere to go and I suddenly wished that Henry had not left so abruptly. “But never mind that…” he paused as he eyed me and I glanced behind him in hopes that someone, anyone, would save me from this extremely awkward, threatening situation.

“What?” I breathed out the word as my eyes met his. I felt as if I knew this man, but I didn’t recognize him. However, it was perfectly clear that he knew exactly who I was. I shook my head slightly as for the first time in my life, I wished I wasn’t royalty.

“I want you to listen to me very carefully as I will only say this to you once,” his voice was low, deep, and disturbing but I nodded in understanding. “Good, tomorrow morning I want you to head down to the vegetable garden, make sure that you are not seen, nor heard, and that no one is following you,” he eyed me suspiciously and I hurriedly nodded. “Bring a coat and a basket of food, got it?” he turned to leave but I reached out to stop him.

“What food?” I felt silly asking this question, but I was scared. I had no idea what this was all about, but I feared for my life, and I was worried that if I brought the wrong food, my life would be ended.

“Meat, cheese, bread, wine,” he said before he ripped his arm away and hurried back inside. I stood there, staring after him as I tried to calm my rapid beating heart.

“Rose? Princess?” I looked up to see Henry once again and I sighed in relief as I rushed forward. I managed to stop myself before I threw myself against him. “What’s wrong?” he questioned as he looked at me carefully. “Is everything alright?” I was tempted to tell him about the man that had been out here with me moments ago but considering the fact that he didn’t want anyone to know about the meeting tomorrow morning, I knew that it would not be wise for me to reveal what had happened.

“I nearly slipped and fell,” I lied pathetically. Henry watched me for a moment before he looked down. I was quite a distance from the edge; however, I didn’t have the time to think of another lie or explanation. “I should be heading back inside,” I said as I passed him. Henry didn’t stop me, nor did he say anything else as I finally stepped back into the warmth of the ballroom. I was not feeling very well, and I looked around until I spotted my father talking to a small group of people. I headed straight for him, and I silently prayed that no one would stop me along the way.

“Goodness Rose, you look like you have seen a ghost!” my father teased when he saw me. I shook my head and did my best to smile at the guests.

“My apologizes, father, could I have a quick word,” he nodded before he turned back to his guests.

“Excuse me, I will be back shortly,” he told them before he followed me over to a quiet spot by the corner. “What on earth has gotten into, Rose?” he asked with concern.

“I feel suddenly ill,” I lied. Although I was sure that I looked dreadful, which would back up my need to lie.

“Oh! Is this too much for you? I can understand that I may have sprung this on you far too quickly,” my father exclaimed as the look of guilt filled his eyes. I felt horrible for lying to him but at this point in time, I had no choice. I would have to wait and see what would happen in the morning and only then would I be able to do anything, such as be honest.

“No, father, I think I got too excited about tonight and I haven’t eaten…” my voice trailed off as I realized that I was spinning a web of lies.

“Dinner will be served soon; would you consider waiting until then and see if you feel better afterward?” I knew that tonight meant so much to him, but I needed to be upstairs in the comfort and security of my bedchamber.

“No, I do not want to pretend I am well in front of our guests,” I said as I reached out and touched his arm. “I will ask Viviane to bring me something to eat and if I feel better, then I will rejoin the party,” I promised even though I had no intention of doing that.

“Oh, of course, alright,” he said as he leaned in and kissed my cheek affectionately. “I will inform our guests that you have taken ill, I do not think it would be wise to rejoin…get some rest, Rose,” he said, and I nodded as I watched him return to his guests. I hated doing this to him, but I could not face the guests while I was silently having a panic attack about tomorrow's meeting. I slowly headed upstairs but then I stopped as I considered how I was supposed to get that basket of food. The possibilities ran through my mind as I snuck back down the stairs and crept along the wall to the kitchen. Anyone could have caught me, but I was confident that everyone was too distracted by the party. I could hear the voices as I neared the kitchen and as I sneaked a peek inside, I could see the kitchen staff getting ready to serve. The other staff was waiting for the dishes to be taken out. This could be my chance, but I would have to hurry. I waited until the head chef gave the orders for the food to be delivered and then I waited and watched. The kitchen staff started taking all the dirty dishes around the corner to be cleaned. The kitchen was empty. I snuck inside and looked around for a basket. Surely, we had to have one, but as I searched, I realized I wasn’t going to find one and that’s when I decided to leave. This was pointless and it would be easier for me to collect the food later, during the night, when everyone was sleeping. I headed straight up to the bedchamber and locked the door behind me. However, I gasped in surprise to see Henry standing in the middle of the room.

“What the…what are you doing here?!” I cried out as I stared at him.

“Rose…what are you up to?” he questioned, and I frowned.

“Well, excuse me! I asked you a question first! Is it not inappropriate to be in my bedchamber, uninvited?” I threw back at him as I crossed my arms over my chest. However, he simply shrugged as he waited for me to answer his question. I considered ignoring it but then I sighed and uncrossed my arms. “I went to the kitchen,” I said truthfully.

“Why?”

“Why on earth do you think? I went to get something to eat!” I exclaimed as I finally went further into the room.

“Well, I don’t that you have anything to eat…” he pointed out and I turned away from him as I went over to my dressing table.

“I don’t know why you seem to think that I owe you any kind of explanation as to what I do, when I do it, or why I do it,” I snapped as I gently took off the set of earrings and necklace I had worn for the night.

“You don’t owe me any explanation, princess, but your well-being is my main concern,” he said softly, and I felt the tingles rush through my body as I once again yearned to be with him. I had no idea why these feelings overcame me like this, but it had to stop. I forced myself to face him and as I studied him, I started envisioning all kinds of ‘inappropriate’ things I wanted to do with him. This was so unlike me, and I blushed a deep shade of red as I hurriedly turned away from him once again. “Rose…” he whispered. I sucked in a deep breath and looked at him through the mirror in front of me.

“I think it would be best that you leave my bedchamber, Henry,” I said slowly. It was the first time I had uttered his name in such a manner, and it sent a rush through me that had me running to the adjacent bathroom and locking the door behind me. What on earth had come over me? I listened closely and when I heard his footsteps leave the room, I let out a long breath and went over to the zinc bath and rested on the rim as I thought about what had almost happened. That was far too close for comfort.

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During the night, I had managed to find a basket and I had filled it with cheese, sliced meat, and bread. I had also grabbed a bottle of red wine and I had hidden it between the vegetable garden. It was fairly early, and I slipped on my favorite long black coat and grabbed another coat before heading outside. It wasn’t until I was looking around the garden for my hidden basket that I considered that the coat should be that for a male. However, it was too late as I turned around and saw the man standing between the trees.

“Did you bring what I had requested?” he asked, and I nodded as I held out the coat and basket. I was tempted to apologize for the coat being that for a female, but I chose not to say anything. “Very good, wait here,” he said before he turned around and disappeared into the forest. I stood there with the items, and I wondered where he had gone too. I was worried that someone would see me and so I took a few steps closer to the tree line and hoped I would be out of sight. It was rather chilly and as I waited for him to return, I broke off a piece of the cheese and nibbled on it. I hadn’t eaten at all last night and although the cheese was rather cold from being out during the night, I didn’t mind it too much.

“Don’t turn around,” a female voice said, and I froze as the tiny hairs on my arms stood straight up. “Give me the coat,” she then said, and I awkwardly held the coat out without turning around. I felt her snatch it from my hands and I could hear her slip it on. “Alright, you may turn around,” she then said, and I quickly turned around to face her. I dropped the basket as I stared at her. My mouth opened and closed in utter shock. “Close your mouth dear,” she said as she bent down to investigate the items in the basket. “Oh, good choice,” she said as she stood up with the bottle of wine in her hand. “Do you know who I am?” she asked, and I nodded numbly as I watched her open the bottle and take a long sip. I could not believe my eyes.