Chapter 14
Rosalina was surprised at the sudden contact. She tried to resist but succumbed to the feeling of Edmund's warm lips on hers, and she kissed back. Edmund wrapped his arms around her waist as he broke the kiss. They both looked at each other in silence until eventually Rosalina looked away.
"I'm sorry" she started "For everything"
Edmund pulled her into a hug.
"Don't be Rosie. I don't blame you"
"But I-" Rosalina started to protest.
"If anyone should be sorry, it should be me. And I'm truly sorry Rose, I should have-"
Rosalina leaned up and lightly kissed Edmund on the cheek "It's alright. Let's not dwell on the past anymore"
Edmund nodded "Do you want to go back to the hall?"
Rosalina stood there thoughtfully before shaking her head "I think I'm going to go out to the garden"
"Can I join you?"
That brought a smile to Rosalina's face "Of course"
Rosalina entwined her fingers through Edmunds as they walked out to the gardens. Edmund looked sideways at Rosalina, she seemed happier but he could still see a bit of uncertainty. Rosalina pulled Edmund towards a bench. They could faintly hear the music coming from the hall.
"May I have this dance?" Edmund asked.
Rosalina grinned "You may" She let Edmund pull her up. Rosalina's arms fell around Edmund's shoulders as they swayed in time to the music. Rosalina rested her head on against his chest.
"Edmund? Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure"
"Why... why didn't you marry Princess Katarina?" So much for not dwelling on the past Rosalina thought.
"She was deeply in love with someone back in her country. When she was talking about it with me one day, I realized... That I loved someone too"
Rosalina felt her heart drop. She bit her lip to fight back tears. If he loved somebody... why did he kiss her?
"Oh. Can I ask who?" Rosalina asked, her voice wavering.
"I thought it would be obvious by now"
Rosalina stayed silent, she didn't trust her voice. Edmund lifted her chin up gently so that she was looking at him. He wiped away a tear that Rosalina didn't realize had fallen.
"Rosalina, I love you"
Rosalina couldn't help but smile. She didn't hesitate to lean forward and briefly kiss Edmund. Edmund chuckled and pulled her close, inhaling the sweet smell of her hair as they swayed to the music.
"Edmund, I love you too" Rosalina said, smiling.
.
Lucy, who was on the balcony above Edmund and Rosalina, went back into the hall to find Susan.
"Susan!" Lucy smiled as she found Susan beside the food table.
"Hello Lu, what are you so happy about? Did you find a handsome gentleman?" Susan teased. Lucy blushed but shook her head.
"No, but it seems Rosalina has found hers" she said slyly.
Susan raised an eyebrow in curiosity "Really? Who?"
"Edmund!"
Susan grinned "It's about time"
Peter came over to Susan and Lucy.
"What are you two smiling about?"
"Ed and Rose have finally admitted that they love each other" Lucy stated happily.
Peter smirked "Well it's about time"
Annabelle appeared beside Peter "What's about time?"
"Ed and Rose admitting they love each other" Lucy stated, again.
Annabelle nodded in agreement.
"That means," she turned to Peter triumphantly "I win the bet. I'll see you all later" with that, she walked away with a smirk on her face. Peter frowned.
Susan looked at Peter "What was that all about"
Peter smiled but shrugged "Nothing really"
.
Rosalina lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep, mainly because hasn't felt this happy in a long time and because she was replaying what happened tonight in her head, over and over again. Eventually, she got up and put a robe on over her nightgown and decided to go walking around the castle. Rosalina slowly walked down the hallway. When she turned the corner she bumped into Annabelle.
"Oh! Anna, you gave me a fright!" Rosalina whispered.
Annabelle gave her an apologetic look "I'm sorry"
"Did you have a good time?"
Annabelle nodded "I had an amazing time" then she grinned at Rosalina "And I heard you did too"
Rosalina blushed but nodded.
"Well, I'm glad you two are happy. I think everyone was close to locking you two in a room until you two finally admitted that you love each other"
Rosalina saw Anna smile at something behind her before a pair of arms hugged her from behind.
"Hey Rose" Rosalina recognize Edmund's voice whisper in her ear.
"Hi Ed"
Anna folded her hands over her chest "Yeah, just forget about me" she said jokingly.
Edmund looked up from Rosalina.
"Hello Princess-"
"Anna. It's just Anna to you" Annabelle cut him off.
"Hello Anna, then"
Annabelle smiled approvingly. Suddenly, Lucy and Susan came from behind Annabelle, whispering to each other. They came to a halt when they found Annabelle, Rosalina and Edmund standing in the hallway. Susan smiled at the sight of Edmund hugging Rosalina before speaking.
"Well, this is rather interesting"
"What is this? A reunion?" Rosalina asked.
Edmund laughed "All we need is Peter"
As if on cue the door beside them opened to reveal Peter, looking annoyed and tired. Like Susan, Peter's eyes fell on Rosalina and Edmund before he spoke.
He ran a hand through his messy hair "Could you guys keep it down? I'm trying to sleep in here"
Rosalina gave him an apologetic face "Sorry"
Annabelle turned to the others "I'll be off now. I have a lot to do tomorrow. Goodnight"
"Happy Birthday" they all whispered to her as she walked back to her room.
Susan looked at Edmund who was still hugging Rosalina "Ed, are you going to let go of Rose? The poor girl probably can't breathe"
Rosalina giggled as she felt Edmund's grip around her waist tighten slightly. Peter rolled his eyes before going back in his room. Susan turned to Lucy, who couldn't stop grinning at Rosalina and Edmund.
"I guess they didn't need our help did they, Lu?"
"No... But it would have been fun" Lucy replied "Maybe we can work on Peter"
Rosalina looked at the two sisters, amused "Peter and who?"
Lucy clapped her hands together as she came up with somebody perfect "Anna!"
Rosalina thought about it "That could work"
Suddenly, Peter's head peered out of the door and glared at Lucy "Don't you dare try anything Lu" he said sternly before closing the door once again.
Lucy smiled innocently. Susan tried to stifle a yawn.
"I think I'm going to go to bed now. See you in the morning" Susan said and went back to her room.
Lucy hugged Rosalina and Edmund before going to bed too. When they were both alone, Rosalina broke out of Edmund's hold to face him. "I guess I should go too"
Edmund nodded "Come on, I'll walk with you"
"But it's just down the hallway"
Edmund just shrugged. When they got to her room Edmund kissed Rosalina goodnight.
"Goodnight Rose"
"Goodnight Edmund"
As Rosalina closed the door, she put her fingers on her lips and squealed as she fell back on her bed. Berani looked on from his corner in amusement.
Edmund laughed as he walked away and heard a squeal of happiness from inside her room.
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