Chapter 9: Rose

1027 A.D

30 year old King Leonard was pacing back and forward in a hallway. His anxiety levels were through the roof as he feared for his wife that was in the room behind the door.

It all had started months ago when Maida started to constantly throw up every morning. After about the 5th morning, Leo called for the doctor to examine her. He was afraid that she had contained an illness and was afraid of the worst.

However it was the opposite. After the doctor examined her, he had a smile on his face. Leo of course was confused as the doctor suggest he go talk to his wife. It was then where Maida revealed the greatest news he had ever received.

Maida was with child.

Leo was overjoyed at the news. They spend the next coming months preparing for the baby. Then just a few hours earlier, Maida had gone into sudden labor and she was escorted to the doctor's room.

Despite everyone assuring him that everything will be fine, Leo had the fear that something might go wrong. The last time they assured him was on the day his father died. He had also heard stories of childbirths gone bad, resulting the death of the mother, the baby, or even both. If something were to happen to them, he wouldn't live with himself.

But he kept telling himself that things will be different. No way death will rob him at his second chance of happiness. After a while, the royal doctor and nurse came out of the room

"How is she doctor? Are they alright?" Leo asked frantically.

The doctor gave a reassured smile. "Both mother a child are alright." Leo took a huge breath of relief. "Oh by the way, you have a healthy daughter your majesty."

A girl. King Leo has a daughter.

"Can I see them now? The king asked.

"But of course. I thinked you've waited long enough," The doctor replied.

Leo slowly walked into the room where was greeted by a joyus site. Maida had a small bundle wrapped around in blankets. The woman took notice of her husband.

"Hello Leo," Maida smiled.

"Hi, dear. How are you?"

"I'm doing alright. You want to meet your daughter?"

"Of...of course."

Leo sat at the bedside and got a better look at his daughter. She had blonde hair and blue eyes, just like they both had. However, she looked more like Maida.

"She's beautiful isn't she?" Maida asked.

"That's probably because looks like you. The most beautiful woman I know."

Maida blushed at his compliment. "She does. But she also has your nose."

"That is true," Leo said as he boop his daughter's nose. "But no matter what, she's our daughter and nothing will change that."

"Do you want to hold her?"

"Yes, please."

Maida carefully handed the bundle to her husband Leo carefully grabbed his child and wrapped his arms around her.

"Hello little one. I'm your father."

The infant stare at him with her blue eyes. Leo found himself entranced by those eyes. Those eyes reminded him of his late mother and...Rosalina. Maida had took notice of her husband's distant look.

"Leo? Are you alright."

"Oh of course," Leo snapped out of it. "I was just thinking of a name for her."

"What is it?"

"I want to name her after some people who were special to me. Two in fact. One who brought me into this world and taught me the importance of kindness. The other, is someone that I never gave up on."

Maida put her hand on Leo's shoulder. "I know what you want to name her. It's fine with me."

"Really?" Leo asked, to which Maida nodded in response. Leo turned his attention back to his daughter. "Little one, I'm naming you Rose, in honor of two people in my life. My late mother, Primrose, and my sister, Rosalina, who I still miss everyday."

Leo brought his attention to a nearby window showing the starry night sky outside. "I love You Rosie, and I always will."

Small tears came out of Leo's eye. Maida wiped it away. As her time with Leo went on, she learned more and more of Rosalina. Leo glanced to his wife and smile at her, before kissing his daughter's forehead. Baby Rose giggle in response.

1037 A.D

"Catch daddy!" came 10 year old Princess Rose as she threw a ball at her father.

"I got it! Now catch," Leo passed the ball back to his daughter.

Rose had grown to quite a happy little girl. Leo spent every moment he can with his family. Whether it be lessons she needed to learn for when she become queen, or just playing, like now.

The two continue to play until they decided to take a break. They decided to take a walk in the royal garden. The duo were just so happened to be near a rose bush when Rose spoke.

"Daddy?"

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Why is my name Rose?"

"Oh, well…" Leo stuttered. He had guess that one day she would ask about her name. Though she had asked sooner than he anticipated. "Why do you want to know sweetheart?"

"I'm just curious. It just sounds like an odd name compared to my friends."

"Well, um...Why don't you take a seat at the bench and I'll explain."

Rose did what she was told and sat down on a nearby bench, with her father following soon after.

"You see, Rose, I gave you that name for a reason. You were named after two people who were important to me in my life who aren't around anymore."

"Oh, who?" Rose said, curiosity was in her voice.

"Well the first person was my mother. Her name was Primrose."

"What happen to her?"

"She...died when I was about 8."

"Oh." Rose had somewhat of an basic understanding on the concept of death. She had asked about after one of her friends relatives had died. "Why did she die?"

"She was very sick."

"I'm sorry she died."

Leo lightly patted her back. "It's fine sweetheart. It was a long time ago."

"Who else am I named after? You said it was two people people."

"Yes. The other person is my older sister, Rosalina."

"Did she die to?"

Leo was a bit hesitant to answer. While most of the kingdom had accepted that she was most likely dead, he secretly never did. However, there were times he doubted. But even though Rosalina had been gone for 30 years, he still clinged onto hope.

"I'm afraid that's a story for another time."

"Oh…" Rose muttered.

"Come on. Let's go find your mother."

The pair then made their way back to the castle.

1042 A.D

Rose was now at the next stage of her life: The teenage years. Leo & Maida had been told that these years would be quite be interesting experience for all of them, including Rose. There were ups and downs, but Rose was still a good child.

The royal family were having their dinner at the table. They were just simply talking about their day.

"So Rose, how was your day today?" Leo asked.

"It was fine," she answered. "My royal lessons with Fergus went alright. He said I was doing a good job."

As years went on, while Fergus remained the advisor, he was also assigned to tutor the young princess. Rose didn't mind that since she saw Fergus as a grandfather.

"He told us about that. I am proud of you sweetheart." Leo saw his daughter give a light blush.

"What else did you do today?" Maida asked.

"Oh I spent time with Miguel."

"That new boy from the real world? I remember him, but what country was he from again," Leo said.

"It was Italy I believe," Maida answered.

"Ah right. I seem to notice that you spend a lot of time with lately."

"Father please. We're just friends," Rose claimed, even though she was slightly blushing.

Leo pretended not to take notice of it. "If you say so."

After dinner, Leo decided to stroll down the portrait hall. He stopped in front on one that had him, Maida, and Rose. Next to that one is was the portrait that him with his 7 year old self, his parents, and Rosalina.

"That's her?" came the voice of Rose, who was next to her father.

"Who?" Leo asked.

"Your sister? Is that her?"

"Oh, yes. She is."

Silence had shown between the two members of the royal family. Rose glanced the paint before glancing back to her father.

"You never really told me what happened to her."

Leo turned his gaze to his daughter. He recalled that day when he would tell her about Rosalina when she was ready. Perhaps now would be a good time.

"That is if you want to tell me what happen. If you don't then it's fi-" Rose said before her father interrupted her.

"I suppose I should finally tell me. Walk with me."

The princess did what she was told. Soon, the pair started to walk along the castle.

"What did happen to her?" Rose asked.

"I can say this. She never died," Leo started.

1047 A.D

Today was a big day for Princess Rose of the Mushroom Kingdom. It was an event that many love to celebrate. For today the princess is getting married.

The 20 year old princess was staring herself in the mirror. She can see herself in her beautiful white gown, and veil that went down to her shoulders staring back at her. And her hair was wrapped in a bun. A knock was heard on the door.

"Come in," she said.

Entering the room was her father. On his face was a happy and proud smile.

"Hello father," Rose greeted. "Is it time."

"Yes sweetheart. It is," The king answered.

"Okay. How do I look?"

"Beautiful. I'm sure Miguel will love it."

"You always knew that he was the perfect match for me."

The king chuckled. "Father's intuition. Lets get going."

"One second." Rose quickly went over to a nearby table to get her bouquet. Which happened to be red roses. "Okay. Let's do this."

The father-daughter pair locked arms and made their way to the ceremony.

1052 A.D

Leonard, Maida, and their son-in-law Miguel were waiting out near a door in a hallway. Miguel had a worried expression on his look. Of course, Leo understood this predicament.

"She'll be alright, son," Leo assured the young man.

"You really think so?" Miguel said. "What if something goes wrong?"

"Whatever happens, we'll be there. I promise."

Sometime later, a Toad in doctor's clothes finally emerge from the room. Miguel immediately went towards him.

"Doctor how is she?" Miguel asked.

The doctor gave a lighthearted chuckle. "They are both fine. Princess Rose had given birth to a girl."

Miguel took a breath of relief. As did Leo and his wife.

"May we see her?" Maida asked.

"I would suggest you give Miguel & Rose some time alone," The doctor said.

"That's understandable."

Miguel glanced over to the rulers. He was unsure about leaving his in-laws alone. Fortunately, Leo gave an assuring look.

"Go on. We'll be right here."

Miguel then went into the room. This left Leo & Maida alone. They both sat down on some chairs and waited.

"Can you believe it? We're grandparents," Maida stated. "It just felt like not to long ago when we became parents. Time really does fly, doesn't it Leo."

"Yes. It does," he agreed.

After a while of waiting, Miguel had opened the door.

"You guys can see them now," he said.

Miguel let his in-laws into the room. In there lies a bed where their grown up daughter was. In her arms was a small bundle of her own. Leo was immediately smitten with his granddaughter. Maida had the happiest smile on her face.

"Congratulations Princess Rose and Prince Miguel. I'm sure your daughter will grow up to be a lovely lady," said the, now elderly, Fergus.

"She really is beautiful," Maida cooed.

"Thank you guys," Rose said

Seeing everyone admiring the new baby, Leo had flashbacks of the day Rose was born. He really couldn't believe its been that long.

Leo thought about Maida's statement. Time had always been fast for him ever since the day Rosalina disappeared from his life. 45 years had passed since he last saw her. But in all honesty, to Leo it felt shorter than that. But in all that time, so much had changed.

Once upon a time, Leo felt that his family gotten smaller and smaller. Today, it had continue to get bigger. And it will continue to do so for years to come.

I think it was important to have a chapter that focus on Leo being a dad.

That part with Leo naming Rose might've been inspired from that scene from that episode "Luck Of The Fryish" from Futurama.

I would also like to bring up that we're only a few chapters away from the end.