Here's another chapter for ya'll to read! I do hope that you are liking this! Well, on with the story...

Chapter 5

A New Friend

Rose had taken to going ridding everyday since her parents told her of her curse. It wasn't that she didn't believe them and was trying to get away from the truth; she just didn't want her parents to know how scared she was. Since all of the castle land was surrounded by walls, and all the gates had guard, she was allowed out without a guard, unless she went out at night.

So far, Rose had explored around the stream that ran by the edge of the woods close to one of the walls. Also, she had explored most of the woods, and of course had been able to sneak outside the walls. She had been on excursions with some of her commoner friends in town, and had been down to the river as well.

Today she was going to sneak out to the river again, but all by herself. So that she wouldn't be recognized, she wore a plain wool dress and sturdy shoes instead of her usual silk gown and slippers. It was mid-Marc, so she wore a cloak as well for protection against the cool winds.

The sun was out and only a few clouds could be seen, so it was a beautiful early spring day. It was still to cool to go wading, so Rose just sat on the bank and read her book. As usual, Rose had packed herself a picnic lunch so that she wouldn't have to go back home, not until dinner anyways.

Rustle. Rustle.

Looking up from her book, Rose turned towards the thicket where the sound came from. "Who's there?" she called.

Rustle. Rustle. "Ouch!" a deep voice called, it probably tripped over a stump.

Rose stood up and grabbed a thick. A boy came out of the brush, pulling twigs from his hair and out of his cloak. "Oh, hello!" he said seeing Rose for the first time. "I didn't frighten you did I?" The boy was charming, with a nice smile.

"No, of course not." Rose said, tossing the stick in the water, pretending she had planned on doing that. "I was just sitting her, reading."

"Oh, okay…good. Um, may I sit with you?" the boy asked, watching Rose sit back down.

"If you wish to, you may." The two sat in silence for a little bit. "I'm sorry to be rude, but I don't know your name." Rose asked.

"Oh, my apologies, that was my rudeness. Forgive my Lady, my name is Jestin Carlson, but most people just call me Jessie. What is your name, now that you know mine?" Jessie inquired.

"My name is Rosa…um, Rose. Rose McCarthy. Please call me Rose." she replied, almost telling who she really was. She didn't want Jessie to judge her based on her title.

"Are you from around here? I've never seen you before." Jessie asked. "I just moved, so I'm just meeting people though."

"Oh, no, I'm visiting my, um…aunt. She's ill, and I'm taking care of her, until my uncle comes home." Rose lied. She wasn't used to lying to people, so she wasn't very good at it.

"Where is your uncle?" Jessie asked.

"Fighting, he's a King's guard." Rose lied again.

"Oh, okay. Rose, why are you out alone? Shouldn't you have a guard with you?" Jessie asked.

"What? Oh, my parents trust me. I can take care of myself. Why do you ask?"

"Well, young ladies should not be out without an escort, I just thought that you might have gotten lost or separated or…"

"I'm not lost!" Rose exclaimed shocked.

"If you so say so!" Again they just sat there. "Can I ask you how old you are? You look young, but you act older. If it helps, I'm fourteen." Jessie told her.

"I'm thirteen. My birthday was last month." she replied.

"What a coincidence, so was the Princess Rosalina Katrina's thirteenth birthday! Now that I think of it, you look like her a lot."

"And how would you know? I've never seen her, and I hear she never gets to go out of the palace walls."

"I've heard her description, you just fit it. You know, you are both about five feet two, have wavy auburn hair to your mid-back, brownish gold flecked eyes, pearly white teeth, a perfect complexion, you are quite pretty you know. And I hear she has the gift of beauty…"

"So?" Rose interrupted. "We look alike. Now if you don't mind, I need to be getting home, it's almost dark."

"Of course, I didn't mean to offend you…would you like an escort?

"If you wish." Rose climbed up on her stallion and put her basket behind her. "I'm going a long ways though."

"But the town is ten minutes from here."

"Yes, but my, aunt, she works at the castle, so I'm staying there."

"At the castle? So how have you never seen the princess?" Jessie asked mysteriously.

"Well, she is a very busy girl, and rides a lot, or so I've heard. Plus I have only been here a while."

"Right. Well, let's get going then. On to the castle!" and I wasn't expecting to go until the spring ball! Jessie thought to himself.

They reached the secret gate that Rose used just at dusk. "I'll see you later then." they said in unison, then laughed.

"I s'pose so." Jessie said as he turned back to town.

A week passed while the castle was bustling with ball decorations. The spring ball was an annual tradition to celebrate the new spring season, and when many engagements were made.

Rose was to war her hair half up, falling down her back to her shoulders, and a pale pink silk gown with red roses embroidered at the waist like a belt and up the bell shaped sleeves. She didn't like to war crowns, so she wore the head jewel her mother gave her when she was five.

Tonight, rose had orders from her parents to look for a prospective husband, even though she was only thirteen. Looking in the mirror, she checked her make-up and hair, smoothed her skirts, and turned to walk down to the dance hall. Since she had had dinner before the party in her rooms, all she had to worry about was being polite, and sneaking out to the garden as soon as was appropriate.

Rose was announced after her parents, and had to walk into the hall by herself. Please don't trip! Please don't trip! she kept repeating to herself. She made it all the way down without one mistake, and breathed a sigh of relief. So far so good! The next hour was full of introductions and curtsies and dancing with young lords and lots of stepped on toes. Very painful when she only wore pink slippers to match her dress.

Another hour went by as toasts were made to the new season, and about twenty engagements ere announced with more toasting. It was eleven before Rose found the perfect opportunity to sneak out. She made it to the last step of the outside steps, and tripped over something. Just before she hit the ground, someone snatched her out of the air and whirled her back onto her feet.

"That was close!" a familiar voice said. "Are you okay Lady?" he said, spinning her around to face her rescuer.

"Yes, I'm fine. Would you mind stepping into the light so that I may see who you are?" she inquired.

"Not at all." As the boy stepped into the light, Rose gasped.

"Jessie! What are you doing here?" Rose squeaked. She also stepped into the light.

"How nice to see you again Rose!" Jessie said, not a bit surprised. "I was invited. My, you clean up nicely. I guess you're aunt is important here or something. How have you been?"

"Fine, let's walk in the garden. I don't want my uncle to find me out here, with a boy none the less." The two walked into the labyrinth of roses in silence. "Is your father a lord or duke?" Rose asked, breaking the silence.

"Um, neither. He is a knight." Jessie answered truthfully. Our mistress sent us to live here. Don't ask why please." He then noticed a flash of light hit the jewel on Rose's forehead. "That's a nice jewel you have there. Did you aunt get it from the princess? I heard she has one just like it."

"If you are suggesting that I stole it, I didn't. My mother gave it to me when I was five thank you!" he is getting close to finding out who I am; I hope he didn't hear my introduction! she thought frantically.

"You know," Jessie said casually, "I want to be your friend, but you are so protective over your cover story! I know that you are the Princess Rosalina Katrina, so just admit it already! Please? I jus want a real friend."

"I'm sorry! I didn't know I was that bad at lying." Rose gasped. "Please don't treat me differently because I'm royal, I hate that."

"Of course not! Thanks for finally being honest. Now, what ere you really doing the other day?" Jessie laughed.

"I…I snuck out. You can't tell my father! He'd freak out!" Rose squirmed.

Jessie was crying he was laughing so hard. "Hey, no problem. My old man would have a cow if he new I snuck in here, so you can't tell either!"

"You snuck in to see me?" Rose was laughing too now.

"Rosalina Katrina, Princess! Your father is looking for you! Hurry back inside!" a voice called from the balcony.

"I better go. That was Margarite. I don't want to get her in trouble for loosing me again." Rose told her new friend.

"If you want, would you like me to sneak in again?" Jessie asked. Rose nodded, and ran back inside. That was too easy. he thought.