An: Highlight on Rose and her relationship with Belle and Simon. Enjoy! P.S. We're getting close to the end of the story and the series! Please put any suggestions in the reviews for the next chapters before the wedding. I only have one or two more planned before the finale!
NymhadorTonks: I wanted to show Mal and Evie's understanding of the Isle one last time before we get drowned in the final chapters and wedding. Also, Maleficent may or may not be making a comeback...dun dun dunnnnn! Plenty of Rimon in this chapter.PLENTY.
Thank you!
"I've been on the council for a while now," Simon shrugged, "I've just been trying to help those poor kids."
"That's very thoughtful of you," Rose held her hands in front of herself. They took on another forest trail for their second walk. The sun was almost completely set, making the scene quite romantic. Rose didn't try to think of it that way, but her mind couldn't escape it.
"What about you, sticking your neck out for Mal and the others?"
"Well..." Rose shrugged, "I wouldn't say that I stuck my neck out for them." It was definitely the other way around. Audrey was all Rose's mistake. She was the one that had made so much chaos over the last year.
"You did risk your whole reputation," Simon added. "During the trials, it could've made or break your own." Rose never thought of it that way. She always thought that she was just testifying what she witnessed. She was lucky that the people had the same views as themselves.
"I care about them, and they care about me," Rose smiled. "It was something I hadn't really experienced before- friendship. Ben always cared for me."
"You're conveniently forgetting my place in your life five years ago," Simon nudged her playfully in the arm. Rose nudged him back.
"Well, back then it was a little annoying," Rose admitted. "Surely, you knew that."
"Yes, I am the son of Snow White after all." Rose tried to stifle her laugh until Simon started to.
"I don't remember much of her if I'm honest."
"She's nosy, annoyingly perky, and neglectful," Simon listed off immediately. Rose's smile fell as she stopped walking. Simon took two steps before noticing her halt. "Are you alright?"
"Neglectful?" Rose whispered. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be," Simon shook his head. "I'm used to it."
"You shouldn't be," Rose countered. "That's not an excuse. I know all about neglect. No one should suffer it."
"I'm not suffering," Simon half snapped. Rose almost jumped at the raise of his voice. It was a slight habit of the past. Simon noticed her fearful expression and sighed. "I'm sorry. Let's just move away from that subject." There was a silence before he added, "Please?"
Rose nodded and joined him in step again. "What's your favorite flower?" she asked. She didn't know what else to say.
"Roses," Simon answered immediately. She shot him a skeptical look. He didn't piece it together at first, but he chuckled. "Seriously. I like red ones best. But any color would do. Thye would grow in bushes in the castle gardens. And yours?"
"Roses," Rose said simply. "Obviously. They're beautiful, but know how to protect themselves."
"Why don't I see any connection?" Simon said with sarcasm. Rose elbowed him. Simon rubbed his arm. "Whoa! I was only kidding, no need to prove your beauty or defenses." They both laughed. After a few steps of silence, Rose looped her arm through his. Simon stiffened at her touch, but then he relaxed. Rose tried her best to hide her blush from him when he looked down at her, but she knew there was a soft pink glow.
Rose was in a dress, again. She tried her best not to roll her eyes every two seconds. Evie had convinced her to wear one for the party. She didn't know why she let her. There was no one to impress here. Only women attended the bridal shower. It had been about a week and a half since she had seen Simon. She was curious about when their next encounter would be. She promised him yet another. As long as she enjoyed his company, there was no need to turn him away.
Although the thought made Rose feel guilty. Simon had told her a small snippet was his home life, but it was enough to know that it wasn't anything delightful like Rose had expected. She thought she was the only one in Auradon with a mother that wanted to mold her child into the picture-perfect royal family member. She definitely was wrong, but she just didn't know by how much.
"You don't have to be sulking by the window," Evie put a hand on Rose's back. She was surprised she didn't flinch at the touch. Rose had been staring out into the gardens from the castle windows for what she thought was hours. It was probably half an hour maximum. The sun was still holding its place high in the blue July sky. Rose looked to Evie, who looked gorgeous in her dark blue and gold dress. Rose's was similar but had long sleeves and pink embroidered roses over the fabric. "You could, actually socialize."
"I think I'll continue sulking," Rose said before Evie grabbed her wrist. The blue-haired princess dragged her into the party. Many guests were seated in one of the thousands of sitting rooms within the castle. It had been so long since she had been to any gathering without Ben. She felt she had no one to talk to. Mal was busy with guests, Evie had left her side to help with gifts that Dizzy and Celia had been handling, and Lonnie and Uma hadn't arrived. That left only one other person she knew, Belle.
Her mother was seated on the couch closest to Rose. She was chatting with a few other mothers Rose had seen before, but she didn't know by name. Rose was about to walk over and possibly make an effort to talk to her. She then saw Jane leaning against the wall opposite the room. Rose debated ever speaking to Jane again. She was much different than the others. She was shy and didn't have the best relationship with any of the VKs anymore.
The wars were hard on Jane, Rose knew that well enough. She was put between Carlos and Evie, making her a natural enemy. But in reality, Jane was much nicer than any other Auradonian. Audrey used to be her best friend, she had been thrown in the middle once again. Rose crossed the floor and awkwardly approached Jane. The brunette tucked her hair behind her ear and murmured, "Hey, Rose."
"Hey," Rose leaned against the wall. "Don't worry, the party scene isn't my favorite place to be either."
"I like parties," Jane shrugged. "It's just a little awkward is all."
"It doesn't have to be," Rose looked at her, but she didn't turn her head. "You were friends with the VKs and Mal before you dated Carlos, it can be that way again."
"Oh, I wasn't talking about that," Jane took a sip of her drink, "I don't like being recorded is all." Rose met Jane's viewpoint to see Snow White setting up her equipment for her TV reporting show. She wondered if Simon was here too.
"Oh, neither do I," Rose cringed slightly. She remembered the countless times as a child her mother had pushed her in front of the cameras. They had to act as if everything had been normal. The memories made a chill go up her spine. She shook them off as she pushed her hair onto her shoulders. As if that would hide her face, she could at least try.
Jane opened her mouth to say something, but there was a sudden clink of glasses. It was time to eat. Everyone had moved to the dining room to have a light lunch of ham sandwiches. Rose took her plate and sat by the window again. Something about sitting with others made Rose feel uncomfortable. All of this public freedom was strange to her. She was free, but something inside her didn't accept it yet.
"You took my spot," a voice came from behind her. She was almost done finishing her meal when she saw Belle. Rose stood from the window sill. Belle laughed a little. "I'm kidding. Please, sit."
Rose sat down cautiously. Belle pulled up a chair and sat down a few feet from her. There were a few minutes of silence before Bell began to speak. "I used to come here every day in the afternoon and sit on the windowsill. I would look at the gardens and read a book." Rose never recalled her mother doing this ever. "It was only when you had already left of course."
"Otherwise you were too busy taming me?" Rose cocked an eyebrow. She really didn't expect a confrontation today, but if Belle was asking for one now, Rose didn't know what would happen.
"I didn't appreciate it until you had gone," Belle looked at the window. "When you were really little, you always wanted to be in that rose garden. You said how you liked to hide with the tall bushes, be one with the flowers." That was a memory Rose did remember. Many times she had been dragged out of there after spending hours admiring the flowers.
It was also the place where she had first discovered her powers. The first place where she had transformed into a bear-like beast. It became a small sanctuary too. She would hide from Belle in there. She became one with the roses because that way she couldn't have been discovered. It was like a survival tactic, and the young girl didn't even know it.
"I'm glad I didn't destroy it when I burned down the castle," Rose said mostly to herself, but it made Belle give her a sad smile.
"You look lovely today," Belle said suddenly. "I think looser hair suits you much better than a princess bun. You are an enchantress now after all." Rose looked to her mother and allowed herself to grin. Another step had been taken, even though it was small, it had a big impact. "Rose," Belle leaned forward, "I'm pr-"
"Gift time!" Evie called out. Everyone cheered, and Rose's heart dropped. She wasn't sure what her mother was going to say, but it sounded important. She looked at Belle, hoping she would finish the statement, but Belle had risen from her seat. Rose had followed her actions as everyone gathered back into the sitting area. Rose was now back into the light of the camera, and it made her feel more anxious than before. At least she was standing behind the couch, so she was on the outskirts. She didn't even bother to look for Simon, there were too many women in the room.
Mal had opened many gifts that afternoon. Rose had lost count. Jewelry, dresses, kitchen appliances, silverware, plates, and many other items were unwrapped. Rose hadn't gotten Mal a gift this time, mainly because she couldn't think of anything. Mal said not to get her anything since Rose had already gifted her the bracelet. Rose did, however, conjured all of the flower arrangements for the shower.
There was only one gift left. A yellow gift-wrapped box lounged on the table in front of Belle. It was passed to Mal. "Hmm?" Mal held the box up to her ear and shook it. "Nothing really heavy." A few laughed as she shook it harder. Finally, Mal tore the wrapping open and flipped the white box lid open. Her jaw dropped. Mal's green eyes flickered to Belle before they went back to the box. Both Uma and Evie looked over Mal's shoulder, only for their jaws to drop too.
"It's beautiful," Evie whispered as Mal grabbed what was inside the box. With delicate fingers, Mal lifted her hands to reveal a stunning lace veil. Rose had never seen such intricate work on a veil. It was definitely old.
"Belle," Mal managed to say, tears welling in her eyes.
"It was mine, and my mother's and so on," Belle said from her seat. "It's tradition to give it to your daughter. And I thought you would like to have it." Rose couldn't believe it. Her mother gave her veil away to Mal instead of her own daughter. Her real biological daughter. Her mother was still playing this game. She was still pretending she didn't exist.
Rose left without a word. No had even seemed to notice her absence. Rose preferred it that way. Once she got to the hallway, she ran. Spriting until she reached the rose garden. She really shouldn't have been so angry. Rose was young and didn't want to get married. But something inside her burned. Fire was catching on her fingertips.
She gazed at a single red rose. Rose wanted to burn it. Burn this whole garden down. She could do it with a snap of a finger. Rose almost did it to, but she extinguished the fire when she heard Simon's voice. "You don't look like you're adoring the roses."
Rose turned to him, and at the sight of his face, her anger fell. She let out a long breath. "I'm not," Rose tucked her hair behind her ear. "I was wondering if you were here. Your mother was at the shower with her video camera."
"As if she were the one that set it up," Simon rolled his eyes. "I didn't mind, I like seeing you." Rose bit her lip.
"Probably not like this," Rose let fire lick her fingertips again.
"Why wouldn't I?" Simon asked. "You're still you. You're just...I'm assuming angry?"
"I'm not sure anymore," Rose shook her head.
"What do you mean?" Simon asked.
"I'm not sure what I am," Rose blurted out. She didn't expect herself to say it. Perhaps it was a thought that had always been there. Now, it had been realized. "There, I knew it would come out sometime."
"You're an Enchantress," Simon looked puzzled. He adjusted his glasses on his nose. "You're free now."
"But yet I'm still contained to these castle walls," Rose looked up to the castle. "All of my life, I wanted to be free from the pain...but now...I just don't know."
"You're free from the pain, but you're not free?" Simon raised a brow.
"I know it sounds dumb," Rose folded her arms.
"No, it doesn't," Simon took a step closer to her. "Even though you're accepted here, you don't want to stay."
"Everyone thinks that if I stay here, I will be accepted back into the royal family," Rose took a breath, "I don't want to be in the royal family. I am who I am. I don't want to be confined. I want...I want..."
"Freedom," Simon filled in for her. "You want freedom so you can leave."
"I don't think I can," Rose turned back to him. "My whole life has been here. Or it was about getting back here."
"Well, the choice is up to you," Simon grabbed her hands. "But, if you choose to stay, just know that I'm here for you." She felt such a connection to him. It was strange since she had despised him for most of her life. Now, things were different. A good different.
"I want to be here for you," Rose said, remembering what he told her about his mother. "Please, confide in me." He looked at her with his brown eyes. Rose felt the urge to kiss him, but she restrained. Now was not the time to have her first kiss.
Simon sighed before letting go of one of her hands. "Let's go sit somewhere." Rose nodded and he led her to a cement bench. They sat in silence for a few minutes, their hands still held together. "Nothing can compare to what you've been through."
"I don't care," Rose shook her head. "I care about your feelings, not mine" He looked at her again, but glancing down.
"To be honest, I don't even know my dad that well," Simon admitted. "He's always on these expeditions and well, I think it's had a tole on my sanity. I love my mom, but a boy without his father, it's cruel. Who am I supposed to be? She's always comparing me to him. Or how I should be more like him, but how am I supposed to know?"
"You can't unless you find him," Rose shrugged. "Or, you don't have to live up to anything."
"What?"
"You aren't King Florian, you are Simon White," Rose turned his chin up. "And you don't have to be anyone's prince. You can just be you. I've learned that I don't need anyone's approval of who I am. Only I can be me, nothing else. And so can you."
"What if I want to be someone's prince?" Simon asked. Rose felt her hand become sweaty in his.
"I'm an Enchantress," Rose reminded. "I don't recall them ever having princes."
"Who said I wanted to be your prince?" Simon asked playfully. Rose breathed in sharply. He got her there. He then laughed. She did too, until she pushed him.
"You're something else, Simon," Rose shook her head and let go of his hand. She folded her arms and turned away. Her cheeks were burning, her heart racing.
"I could say the same thing about you," Simon said as he tucked her hair behind her ear. She looked at him with curious eyes. He then dropped his hand. "Sorry. I shouldn't have done that." He nervously dropped his head and adjusted his glasses. Rose took a breath before mustering up the courage she had left and she placed her hand on his.
He turned his face towards hers. Rose felt herself smile a little, and he mimicked her motion. They both leaned closer until there were only inches between their faces. She could feel his breath reflect off her skin. Looking into his eyes one last time, Rose let her eyes flutter shut. Their lips nicked the other's before they quickly pulled away at the sound of Belle's voice.
"Rose?!" Belle called. She was out of sight, but she was looking for her. "Rose?!"
Rose looked back to Simon. The moment had passed. He nodded his head. "Maybe you'll grant me another meeting?"
"I'll have to consider it," Rose shrugged. She then quickly kissed his cheek. "Yes." Simon looked stunned, but she didn't have time to see his reaction, because she got up from the bench. Then, she had forgotten to let go of his hand. He pulled her to him and hugged her. Rose almost flinched at the sudden touch, but she sank into the embrace.
"Thanks," he said softly in her ear before he kissed her cheek. Rose felt her cheek heat up as she hugged him tighter and then let go. She tried to keep it together inside as she called out to her mom.
"Belle! Mom! I'm..." Rose stopped when she spotted Belle. "Here," Rose finished her sentence. Belle was only standing there with a shocked expression on her face.
"Oh, Rose," Belle stepped forward. "You look as if you had been crying." Rose's hands went up to her cheeks.
"No, I haven't. It's just sometimes the fresh air messes with my senses," Rose lied quickly. A chill went through her body when she touched the place Simon's lips had touched her cheek. "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to apologize about the veil," Belle said suddenly. "I said passing it down to my daughter wasn't to ignore you. I wanted Mal to have it because I thought you wouldn't want it. And if you did, you can wear it to your wedding too. There's no law against having multiple girls in the same generation wear the same veil."
"I wasn't angry about the veil," Rose admitted. "I was mad at myself."
"Whatever for?" Belled asked.
"For letting myself almost sink into old habits," Rose nodded to herself. It was sensible enough. She didn't want to fall back to the past. She wanted to move forward with Belle.
"Well, I think you're doing alright," Belle grinned. "I just hope I don't sink back either."
"I think you're still afloat," Rose nodded. There was a small silence.
"Would it be inappropriate to give you a hug?" Belle asked. Rose recalled to Simon whisking her into his arms, she didn't seem to have a problem with touch today.
"No, just a small one will be fine," Rose said. Belle inched forward before placing her arms around Rose. She stiffened. The shock of touch graced her again. Rose tried her best to give back an embrace, but she knew she had stiff arms. At least it only lasted for a single moment.
"Well, what have you been doing out here for so long?" Belle asked in a light voice.
Rose looked around. She then spotted a single ruby red rose on a bush. She turned to her mother and said truthfully, "Admiring the roses."