The Enchanted Rose (18 page)

Together we run down the hall toward the king’s study. No guards stand at the door. Madrid and I look at each other, unsure what to do. I shrug and knock. 

“Come in, come in,” Father hollers.  

Madrid opens the door and allows me to enter first. I look back at her, realizing what’s just happened. 

She brushes hair from her face. “I do believe it will take some time getting accustomed to not being a maid.” 

“Understandable,” Father says before I can reply. “Please, both of you, come sit down.” 

I sit, slightly nervous. The apprehensive look on Father’s face is worrisome. Feeling odd, unsure how to act around the king, I begin squirming, not even meaning to. Playing with a strand of my hair. Lacing my fingers, only to unlace them.

“Thank you for meeting with me.” Father looks around the room, not really looking at us. “After announcing that I would gladly welcome you into my family, as you’ve been my daughter for the past seventeen years, I realized I would need to make it official. I’ve been doing a bit of reading in our family history, and I have come upon a slight issue.” He clears his throat, his cheeks slightly redder than usual. 

“What is it?” Madrid asks. 

I’m glad she did, because I can’t take the anticipation. Father clears his throat again. 

“Well, technically speaking, Madrid is rightfully, by birth, Princess Roselyn. Which means that Princess Roselyn is actually Madrid.” 

I laugh. It bubbles out of me. “Jossa never thought she would have to worry about something as trivial as our names when she created this mess. Madrid, it seems that you have my name, and I have yours.” 

Madrid joins me in laughing. Only a moment passes before the king, too, is laughing. 

“Father, while it is funny and a bit confusing, I must ask, why does it matter?” 

“Well, you must decide if you wish to remain Madrid and you wish to remain Roselyn.” He speaks to each of us in turn.  

I look at Madrid. “It’s up to you. I have your name, but we will never know if you have mine.” 

Madrid stands, paces the length of the room, and after only a moment of thinking about it, stops right in front of me. “All our lives, you’ve been Roselyn and I’ve been Madrid. And that’s how it should be.” 

“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling relieved. I didn’t know before this moment that the idea of keeping my name could mean so much to me. 

“There is no need to thank me. It is the truth.”

A week has passed since Jossa’s demise, though that isn’t why I’m excited when the sun rises. I get out of bed and dress myself, hardly able to contain my joy. I throw the curtains open—realizing I shouldn’t be so hard on Quin for doing this, considering how much fun it is—and bask in the sun. 

I don’t stay long, too excited to hide away in my room. I go out into the corridor and walk toward the dining hall. People are out and about, going through their daily routines. It feels odd being able to stand in the open, staying in Tivor as a guest rather than sneaking around. I much prefer it this way.

Standing just outside the doors, her back to me, is the most beautiful woman in the world. I approach quietly, wanting to steal a kiss before we join the other diners. Madrid faces me, speaking with Roselyn. I know she sees me, but she makes no movement to give away my position. 

I wrap my arms around Roselyn’s waist and kiss her temple. “Good morning,” I whisper in her ear. 

“You know, the last time you snuck up on me like this, it didn’t end so well for you.” She turns, still trapped in my arms. 

“Luckily, I know you’re aware that I’m not trying to hurt you.”  

“Well, there is that.” She laughs and runs her fingers through my hair, pulling me to her. I close the distance and kiss her lips. 

The sound of Madrid clearing her throat breaks us apart. I sigh, giving her a look that says “Why are you interrupting?” but only half meaning it. At that moment, the dining hall doors open, and Madrid goes inside. 

We follow her, but not before I steal another kiss from Roselyn. 

I am given a seat right beside hers, which happens to be right beside the king’s. It doesn’t go unnoticed that Jossa’s seat has been removed and replaced with a seat for Madrid on the king’s other side. 

Breakfast is served, and we all begin eating. I try not to rush nor force Roselyn to either, but I can hardly wait for what comes after. 

“Are you all right?” Rose looks concerned. 

“Of course. Why do you ask?” I smile. 

“You’ve hardly touched your food.” She giggles, looking at me quizzically. 

I look down at my plate. And here I thought I was still eating too fast. I pick up my fork and make a show of eating a bite of sausage while she’s watching. Laughing, she turns back to her own food. 

“Can I steal you away this morning?” I rest my shoulder against hers, just wanting to be close to her. 

“I wouldn’t spend it away from you. Besides, don’t we have an errand to run?” She raises an eyebrow. 

“Indeed we do.” I turn back to my food, now eating it as fast as I can without choking, making a mess, or getting attention. 

As I scoop up the last bite, Roselyn whispers in the king’s ear. He nods once, and she kisses his cheek. He smiles. 

Rose turns to me, raising an eyebrow. I nod. We stand at the same time and sneak out of the dining hall. At least, we attempt to. All eyes are on us as we take our leave. 

We don’t stop our brisk march until we’ve reached Temujin’s shop. Having come here the night before, I can only hope the metalsmith has done all that I asked of him. 

I knock once on the door before getting down on one knee in front of Roselyn. She gasps lightly, covering her mouth with her hands, tears immediately welling up in her eyes. 

“Roselyn, we have been through more than I could possibly have imagined. We faced great dangers, risked all that we had, were ready to give up everything, all so we could be together. We conquered everything that stood between us, gained more than we had before, and we still have everything. There is only one thing more that I ask. Will you be my wife and queen?” 

Just then, Temujin opens the door to his shop and hands me a small box. I hold it up and open it so Roselyn can see it. Inside lies the rose that almost kept us from each other, now coated in the finest silver and painted white. 

Roselyn takes the box from my hands and gives it back to Temujin. My heart begins to sink. But she takes my hands, pulling me to my feet, and throws her arms around my neck. “Yes,” she whispers. 

She places her hands on either side of my head and kisses me like never before. I never want it to end. She leans back just enough to look me in the eye. 

“Osric, I will love you until the last petal dies.”

Konstanz Silverbow has always been a dreamer . . . but not a writer. She was dragged into being an author, but since that day, she hasn't stopped. It has become more than a hobby—it is a passion.

During the day, Konstanz works at Rockpick Legend Co. making jewelry, and during her free time, she can be found playing the violin, collecting dragons, and learning all she can about medieval weapons. But at night, she creates made-up worlds and places where those dragons come to life and the weapons are used in battle.

Young adult fantasy and paranormal author with a dash of romance, Konstanz Silverbow is the proud creator of magical worlds, fictional creatures, ideal super heroes, and sarcasm since 2007.

To connect with
Konstanz
, visit her blog:
nothoughts2small.blogspot.com