So, it's been over a month since I last posted. I'm really really sorry. In fact, I'm writing this from my Pit of Shame.

I.O.N.

Enjoy!

Rose was wandering through the palace on a whim, talking to anyone she happened to pass, be them servant or noble. Her smile never faltering, even as some of the higher up nobles scoffed at her greetings. Even though she had been a guest of the King's for almost six years now, many of them still only thought of her as little more than a nuisance. But they rarely if ever had to interact with her s so it was never really a problem to her.

Stopping in the middle of the hallway, Rose resolutely shook her head, banishing the pessimistic thoughts. It was a beautiful day and nothing was going to dampen her mood!

As she wandered, Rose's path began to arch towards the royal gardens, and her pace began to slow even further. Every flower she passed gave her pause, and posture began to relax. And with that relaxation came the inevitable thoughts of how badly the week had turned out.

At first, it had seemed that it would be a normal week. Enjoy the company of Nathaniel and Marc as Master Demarcus worked on Ali's portrait. But then word had reached her of Juleka and Luka being in town, grabbed her redheaded friend and ran for the dock. Their catching up had, inevitably, lead to the disappearance of their captain and most of her family. That was still a sore point for everyone who had been a member of Captain Ladybug's crew. The last time Rose had spoken to Sabrina, the distraught red-head could barely stand hearing Chloe's name without bursting into tears.

Absentmindedly, Rose gingerly felt the petals of her namesake. Still lost in the endless ocean that was her thoughts.

It wasn't until Marc ran into her causing both of them to fall to the ground and scattering various papers that had been in Marc's arms onto the ground that Rose returned to the present. "Oh! Marc! I'm sorry, here let me help you!" She said and began to help her friend recollect the loose paper.

"It's fine, really Rose. I should have been paying more attention. Sorry about that by the way." The dark haired boy said.

Once all the paper had been retrieved, Rose looped her arm through Marc's, "It's fine! No harm done. So if you don't mind my asking, why were you in such a rush?"

Marc's eyes widened as he remembered why he had been hurrying in the first place, "Well Master Demarcus has required a sketch from both me and Nathaniel to see where we are after a year under his training." He explained as he began edging away from Rose. "And he's expecting them to be handed in, in about three minutes, so I've really got to go! Sorry again Rose!" With that, Marc fully turned and began running again.

Laughing, Rose turned in the opposite direction and decided that she wanted to do a little exploring of the forest. So with a new idea in mind for the rest of the day, Rose walked out of the gardens and headed for the servants' entrance, only stopping at her room to grab a bottle of perfume of her own creation, and a small dagger Juleka had given her some years previous. Once at the servant's entrance, she waved at anyone she recognized and the lone guard smiled as she headed out.

"Be careful out there Miss Rose. We've been getting reports of increased bandit attacks lately." He called out as she passed.

Rose smiled and said, "Thank you, James, I'll be sure to be careful." With one final wave, Rose followed the path that many had walked before and would walk after until she was out of sight of the castle. Then she confidently stepped off the well-beaten path and into the calming trees of the forest.

Taking her time, she wound her way through shrubbery, grasses, and trees until she finally came upon a giant tree growing right before the start of a steep cliff. Unfortunately, Rose's happy and peaceful moment was ruined by the group of five or six bandits plotting.

Forcing an overly friendly smile onto her face, Rose made her presence known.

"Hello? Can I help you?"

So you guys probably want an explanation, and I really wish I had one to give. But honestly, for some reason, I just didn't have any inspiration. And for some reason school was just feeling overwhelming, and I had to help set up for Prom and get ready for Prom, and then it was time for choosing classes for next year, and I guess life just caught up with me for a while there. Oops. But anyway, I'm Back! Kind of, sorta, not really... But still! I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and that this blob of whatever this is wasn't too cringey.

Comment what you thought!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Have a nice day!

See ya next time!