Meanwhile, Sienna had chosen to stay in the village. She found work at the Tavern as a serving gal. There she got all the gossip from those she served about the events of the King, Miss Beaumont, and Gustave.
She didn't speak about the Kings once condition of being beastly. She didn't want to end up in a mad house. But she mulled over all the rumors and tales attempting to decipher fact from fiction.
With her working her family and her father working when he could, her family no longer struggled to make ends meet.
Deep resentment still resided within her toward the King. She was interested getting back at him by attacking the woman he was interested in.
Once Rosalyn got a fire going, she slipped out of her dress and fell into a restless sleep on the couch nearest to the fireplace. Her dreams were filled with various painful memories of Gustave.
Finally, near dawn, she gave up trying to sleep. She sat up on the sofa and picked out a book to read, a blanket wrapped snugly around her body. Once the rest of the village awoke, she decided to get dressed and go to the market. The only thing she had left in her home were a couple of eggs from the chickens and a bag full of grain, so she decided to pay a visit to the baker.
The drinking chocolate she had given him got her several loaves of bread, which she had claimed sparingly. The man seemed amazed by it and was eager to get his hands on it. He greeted her warmly and they had a small conversation before he handed her a fresh loaf of bread and she went on her way.
Once she exited the baker's shop, she was stopped by a familiar woman. Sienna, the woman that had been in the throne room with her father. One of the Chosen.
She caught a glimpse of Miss Beaumont approaching the baker to get her lot of bread that week she had paid for in advance with a very expensive drinking chocolate. A gift from the king no doubt. Perhaps Miss Beaumont was just playing the king for his riches now that he was human somehow. She approached the woman and gave a faux polite curtsy.
"Miss Beaumont, was it? I don't think we were properly introduced. I am Sienna Smedley. I couldn't help but notice you seem quite cozy with His Majesty. Are you his mistress?" She asked.
Sienna formally introduced herself, then began prodding her about her relations with the king. "His mistress?"
Rosalyn noticeably rolled her eyes. "I am quite the opposite, Sienna. But please, do keep your overgrown nose in your own business and out of mine?"
Sienna scoffed, "My nose is no bigger than your own. One can never be too cautious when it comes to dealing witha witch.There are plenty of whispers about you that pass the lips of many that enter the tavern that you carry a curse upon you since the night you were Chosen. Nowwe both know that you aren't the one who once had a curse.However, that does not stop me to think that there is something unusual about you. After everything that has happened since the night you were Chosen. Your rescue and wedding. Gustave meets his accidental end. Then death takes your father. May they both rest in peace. How long before King DeLavergne meets an tragic end? I reckon by that ring on your finger it won't be long after you marry him. Oh, don't you worry dearie. I have no intention of interfering. It's far too much fun to be a spectator. Farewell, Miss Beaumont." Sienna bid to Miss Beaumont as the woman dramatically curtsied then departed.
Rosalyn watched the woman as she left, her face pale as the snow which covered the ground. A witch? Is that what they truly thought of her? If it was so, they would want her dead. Burned. She was not a witch. Gustave haunted her every day, his memory lodged in her chest, like the piece of lead that had been in his. She had killed her husband, but she had done no such thing to her father. And she would never, ever harm Adrien.
Sienna may had not threatened her directly, but she was a threat. Though she had no intentions on interfering with her engagement, Rose knew she was up to no good. If she spread rumors about her bring a witch...well, not even the king could protect her. If Sienna wasn't careful, she would be the first thing Rosalyn took care of when she became queen.
Adrien finished putting his royal seal on the last of the letters and called for a messenger to ready provisions to deliver them to the neighboring kingdom. Now that he was engaged to be wed in the spring, he needed to start making preparations for such, including the honeymoon. The counsel was informed by him of his engagement and as per his previous warning on the matter- no one said anything about the matter of his marriage or the fact his chosen wife to be was not of royal birthright.
Even though he knew this winter would only last three months, it sure felt like a lifetime when he had to wait a full five to six days in between seeing his beloved Rosalyn. The daily letters between them did suffice to feel at least connected to her in some manner. He was pleased the falcon was much more efficient than that of a messenger boy.
Adrien called for Chandler bright and early before the lad was to depart for his lesson at Miss Beaumont's home. "Here lad, be sure this gets to Miss Rosalyn. It is her pay for her tutoring services. How are they coming along?"
Chandler, as normal, put the pouch securely in his satchel, along with the quills, ink bottle, parchment, and a children's book they were using to teach him to read. "The lessons are going very well Master. See I can read!" Chandler said excited as he pulled out the book and opened the book to a letter page, "That is the letter B. Capital B and lowercase b. It reads, 'The blue bird that flies over the dark wood.' " Chandler announced quite proud of himself.
"Very good. Best be off. You wouldn't want to keep her waiting." Adrien said and dismissed the boy.
It was days before Rosalyn saw the king again. Chandler's lessons had been postponed due to the harsh winter storms. Neither Adrien nor Rose felt it was safe to travel, so they just wrote letters to each other every day. When the winds had calmed and the skies cleared, Chandler was finally able to make his way to her home. He had a pouch of gold for her: payment from the king for the lad's lesson.
They continued where their last lesson left off. Rose had Chandler write his alphabet in both upper and lowercase before they started to read from the book she had given him. He was learning quickly and would be able to read anything he wished before summer came.
When their lesson had ended, Chandler gathered up his supplies and began to leave when Rosalyn stopped him. If it was safe enough for him to travel here, certainly it was safe enough for her to travel back with him. So she slipped on her overcoat and mounted her horse. They road back to the palace together, keeping each other company on the journey.
"The Master is going to be excited to see you Miss Rosalyn. He gets irritable when several days pass by and you don't visit the castle. I think that means he misses you. Papa gets grumpy if mama is gone too long. And I know he misses her. So it must be the same for the Master toward you. I miss you too. And so does Miss Maddy, and Mama, Lothair, and even Colin." Chandler spoke as the two of them made their way back to the castle.
When they reached the castle entrance, Chandler slid off his horse and held the reins for both horses, while Miss Rosalyn got off her own. "I'll take him to the stables for you Miss Rosalyn. Go on inside before you catch a cold." he said and off he went leading the two horses away.
Adrien was currently in suite known as Maddy's Drawing Room. Yes, the woman got her own quarters that was a combination of living space for her and craft area that required much supplies and space to create the clothing she desired. The woman was showing him a number of sketches she had done in hopes of gaining an answer from him as to which one he liked best for his potential attire for his wedding.
"For the last time Maddy, the wedding isn't for another couple of months. I have full faith in your abilities you should chose what suit style fits best for the occasion." He told her to which she said, "And risk something not being to your satisfaction mere days before the big event. I think not. I am a seamstress, not a miracle worker. Thus, planning and approval is absolutely necessary. Perhaps I should show Miss Rosalyn the sketches and see her approval of one?" Adrien gave her a humored look. "I have no idea when she will visit again. Weather has been poor for traveling. But you may do soonlyafter I have some quality time with her myself. Is that understood?"
Maddy bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty." Adrien gave a satisfied look.
"Thank you, Chandler. When you are finished, go read your new words to your mother and father. They will be very proud of the progress you've been making," Rosalyn said. As the young boy took her horse to the stables, she headed inside. Nearly immediately, she was greeted by Lothair.
"Miss Rosalyn, soon to be Missus," the man greeted. "How good it is to see you, mon cherie. I am delighted, but you should not have come today. Another winter storm is supposed to dump more snow in our backyard. And just as we finished clearing off the walkways!"
Rosalyn smiled at the seemingly flustered Lothair. "I will be alright, Lothair. I accompanied Chandler home and decided it has been too long since I last saw the king."
A cheeky smile stretched across his face. "I should have known. It is nearly impossible to keep two lovers apart. Last I heard, he was speaking with Maddy. Probably discussing wedding attire," he said and bowed, before departing to continue his duties.
Wedding planning already? It seemed soon, but she expected a royal wedding was the event of the century. Though she never really put any thought into planning a wedding. Her first one happened so quickly. She had hardly dismounted her horse before she was saying her vows. But this one would be different, much different.
Just as Lothair had informed her, the king was with Maddy in her quarters. Rosalyn knocked lightly on the doorframe. "I heard you two were planning a party. Mind if I joined?" she asked teasingly.
"Rose!" Adrien beamed in pleasant surprise at her sudden appearance. It didn't take long at all for him to make his way across the room, lift her up into the air, spin her around once, then place her feet back down onto the floor to give her an affectionate kiss.
A moment later he pulled away, "What a pleasant surprise. Oh, how I have missed you." He said keeping his hands wrapped about her into a loose hug.
Maddy gave a small cough, reminding his majesty of her presence. "Welcome back, Miss Rosalyn. Your opinion on a few matters would be insightful. If the King can spare you for a minute, rather than whisk you away. After all a woman should get to plan her wedding to her exact likeness."
Adrien gave her a look and Maddy said, "Besides, once the 'I do's' are said you get to spend quality time with her forever. Surely, forever can spare a minute? I have no doubt it would make your bride to be very happy."
With that logic Adrien could not counter any reason not to allow Rose and Maddy to discuss wedding plans together. "She wants me to pick out a suit style. Perhaps you can help her choose one? I honestly see very little difference between them."
Maddy gave a clap taking that as a yes and began her presentation once more to Rosalyn. When Adrien began to wander around the room and began to peek at coveres papers he got a sharp tisk tisk from Maddy. "A man is not supposed to see the bride in her grown before the ceremony. I'll not have you peeking at my designs before the main event, Your Majesty." She cautioned him and he stopped his curiosities.
Rosalyn giggled in delight as the king spun her around and kissed her. "I have missed you too, your majesty," she answered.
She walked over to stand next to Maddy at her drawing table. "It is not just my wedding. It is our wedding," she said and began to look at the various dress designs she had drawn. They were all so...elaborate. They were gorgeous and truly for for a future queen, but Rose felt as if they were too much.
"They are lovely, Maddy. But not well suited for myself. Maybe less...ruffles?" She wasn't trying to be rude or upset the seamstress, but she wanted something more elegant and less flashy. "I do adore lace, so maybe that is something you can work with."
Rosalyn walked over to Adrien and placed her hand on his shoulder. "My future husband will be responsible for choosing his suit," she teased.
"Of course! Now be on your way you two love birds. I will consult his majesty another time on his attire and work on lace involved gown for yourself." She said, pulling out a charcoal stick and parchment, taking great care as she sat down to do her sketching once more.
Adrien smirked at Rosalyn as he took a hold of her hand and led her way out of the Drawing Room. "I will choose a suit later. However for the rest of today I wish to spend it in your company. The hour of midday tea and biscuits nears. Would like like to partake of that in the library? Or perhaps find another activity to pass the time?" He asked, seeking her to voice what she desired to do.
"Actually, there's something I need to speak with you about," Rosalyn said. "Several days ago I ran into Sienna at the marketplace. She has taken a job as a waitress at the tavern. As we both know, drunk people like to speak their minds..." She bit her lip nervously, trying to think of the right words to say.
"The villagers have grown suspicious of Gustave's death, which was followed only weeks by my father's. Adrien, they're saying I am a witch. That I carry a curse that harms anyone that is close to me..."
Adrien's first thought was keep Rose in the castle until the day they wed. As improper as such an action would be, it would remove Rose from interacting with the villagers for the remaining time until she was wed. No one would dare speak the word witch outright to him or her of she were a guest at court, unless that person desired a death sentence.
"We know that is not true. Perhaps, it's time we give them something else to talk about." Adrien led the way to a sitting room where Lothair and Colin were playing chess. The two men stood and bowed, "Master. Miss Rosalyn." Lothair greeted with warmth. Colin bowed, having greeted Rosalyn formally earlier.
"Lothair, you ordered servants to gather extra firewood in preparation for the storm coming tonight. How many rooms can we spare to not have a fire in them if that meant giving extra wood to the villagers?"
"Well...several Sire but it would have to be done in the next few hours before the storm arrives." Lothair said in hesitation.
"Good. Make it happen in time. Get a wagon filled and horses prepared. Colin help him." He ordered and the two men hurried off.
Next was a visit to the kitchens and consulted Chef Boone. "Chef, how many loaves of bread can we cook up to give to the villagers before the storm this evening? And still hsve enough for use to be comfortable if we stopped serving midday and midevening buscuits to the staff?"
"Several, Your Majesty. Perhaps enough to give one maybe two per family depending on..." Adrien cut him off. "Good. Make it happen. Order anyone you need to help to help you." He told him.
He looked to Rose. "Let's go to the East Wing and find a winter dress worthy of this occassion. You and I will be passing out the wood and the bread. After this nobody will have anything but positive to say about King DeLavergne and his Betrothed Miss Rosalyn Beaumont. Future Queen of Amouria."
Rosalyn smiled at the king.Future Queen of Amouria.Though she knew she would be queen when Adrien proposed, the title never really struck her until now. Was she ready to be a queen? She had no idea what it was like to protect and care for an entire kingdom. To have such a responsibility, such power. It frightened her.
"The people will still talk, Adrien. And those who believe lies will continue to spread them," Rose said as they began their walk to the East Wing. The last time she had been there was the night she returned to the palace and shared a dance with Chandler. It was also the night she broke the curse on the king. "Though what you are doing for the village is wonderful, Gustave still has a strong grip on everyone, even in death. If people believe that I am a witch who murdered him, they will continue to do so."
"This will surely keep their tongues still, if they see acts of charity. Such a thing is not becoming of a witch. Therefore we display truth to cover the rumors." He reasoned then as they reached her quarters he let out a sigh as they entered her suite. "Just another couple of months and we can put this all behind us. The other option is to keep you here, which is an option, but not a very good one. It would not be unusual of a royal betrothed prince and princess to live in the same castle. If living here keeps you reassured and safe from possibly harmful speculation then it would be worth doing." The room was regularly dusted and kept ready for use, despite the fact she no longer resided in the castle. It was a default place that Maddy placed all of the clothing she made for Rose. Be it on a whim or special occasion. The wardrobe was so full, he had to bring in a second one so that the dresses and gowns could be in one while under clothing such as petticoats and accessories could be stored in the other.
"But I am not a princess and you are not a prince," she stated. "I am sure I will be alright. If not, I know I'll have a place to come to." Rose gave him a reassuring smile and retreated into the East Wing to get changed. Everything Maddy made was fit for royalty, but she still had trouble finding something suitable to wear. She had never been one to care for fashion; she preferred comfort.
Rosalyn settled for a long, blue dress with long sleeves. Unlike usual, she wore no hoop beneath her skirt. She emerged from he room with a white cloak in her arms. "I do hope we get everything handed out in time, your majesty," she said.
He didn't like hearing the uncertainty in her voice. He wanted nothing more than to keep her safe and be given the respect she justly deserved.
After she dressed they readied their winter attire and soon the preparations of the wood and bread were complete. Adrien and Rose road in a carriage, along with the covered wagon of wood and bread. The sky was darkening and the storm brewing in the coming distance.
There was a town square bell that Adrien rang when they came to a stop. Villagers hearing the commotion began to creep out of their homes and toward the square.
Adrien stood on the announcement dock at attention and heads began to bow, despite the nervous looks. He motioned for Rose to join him at his side before he began to speak, "People of the village, a severe winter storm is headed our way. Some of you may end up snowed into your home for a couple of days after it passes. As your King, along with my finance, we want your well being to be ensured. Everyone please sent a representative from your household to come and recieve in a orderly fashion a loaf of bread and take a chord of wood." He announced and the driver of the wagon lifted the canvas cover partially to reveal the supplies.
Bodies made haste to partake of the generous offering, some even approached with thanks or praise. Even the priest Rob Pere came appraoched, bowing to each of them respectively "Your Highness, Miss Beaumont, congratulations on your engagement. May your reign be long and fruitful to you both. God smiles upon those who shares their bounty with those who have less."
Rosalyn stood next to the king, handing out loaves of bread to everyone who approached them. Pastor Rob Pere even made an appearance, congratulating them. "Thank you, Pastor. Stay safe in the storm," she said kindly. As the sky continued to darken, the town square cleared. People retreated to their homes with their families to make final preparations for the blizzard.
As the villagers came and went, snow began falling gently from the sky. Rosalyn shivered beneath her cloak as snowflakes clung to her dark brown hair. If she was to return to the palace for her horse, she was afraid she wouldn't make it back to the village, but she couldn't just leave Philippe at the palace.
Once all the bread and wood was passed out, the order to return to the castle in haste was made. Adrien had made sure a few chords of wood and bread loaves were set aside in the carriage baggage car he and Rose and ridden in for her to takw home if she chose not to return to the castle. He had forgotten to order her horse ready to come with the group. Mr. Pom knew swiftness had been needed for the task and optioned for readying younger horses.
"Rosalyn, do you wish to return to the castle? If you do you won't make it back home in time before the storm. I had provisions set aside for you to retreat home now and be ready for the storm to come, if you would rather do that. The choice yours to make. Your horse will be well cared for at the castle stables. I will personally return with him as soon as it is possible to travel." Adrien promised. Despite the fact he wanted nothing more than to have her in the castle during the fowl weather to ensure she was safe and well, it was her right to choose.
Rosalyn thought for a long moment. She knew it would be improper for her to stay in the palace, but she didn't want to go days without seeing Adrien again. Besides...the villagers would not know, seeing as they would more than likely be snowed in.
"Well if the choice is mine, I will stand by your side through this storm. Merlin will have trouble flying through the snow, so it could be a while before we ever hear from each other. And I'm sure Maddy would love me there to help with the wedding," Rose said, sounding like she was trying to convince him to let her stay.
Pleased with her answer and sound reasoning, they entered the carriage and returned to the castle with great haste. Already a couple inches of snow had fallen to the ground, by the time everything was put away and all persons were safe and secure inside.
"Let us go to our separate chambers to change into dry attire. The library is quite large to keep warm it would use a lot of unnecessary wood..." he thought then spoke an idea coming to him, "Perhaps you can go choose a book and I will have the servants arrange the sofa in my chambers near the fireplace so we can enjoy each other company and a good book in reasonable warmth." He suggested to Rose, his hand lightly brushing a few of the snow flakes away that glittered her hair.
They rode back to the palace, through the relentless snow. By the time they went from the carriage to the castle, her hair was nearly white with snow. Rose shivered and brushed the snow off of her shoulders and cloak.
"That sounds like a lovely idea," Rosalyn said with a smile. "I will be there within the hour." She hurried off to the East Wing where her wardrobe was stored. It was like Maddy made her dresses whenever she was bored. She changed out of her wet clothes and hung them over the back of a chair so they could dry, and put on a red dress.
Rose left the East Wing and headed to the library to find a book for them both to read. She hadn't stayed overnight in the palace since she was still considered a Chosen. She felt excited, yet nervous. The king seemed happy enough she was staying, but what would be said about them if anyone found out she had stayed with him during the storm? She shook the thoughts from her mind and chose a book from the library, one they hadn't read in a while: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
As promised, within the hour Rosalyn gently knocked on the door to the West Wing. During her stay here, she had only been to the West Wing once, and she fled quickly afterward. Since then, she had been here several times, but it still felt strange and forbidden.