Hello my darlings! It has been far to long, I know. I started my final year of high school and got a job, so my attentions have been a bit preoccupied. But that's enough about me, I'm going to let you all have what you really came here for. Onto the chapter

Chapter 9: Rose

"Are you alright?" Lissa asked as we sat in my room that night. The other's had retired for the night, leaving just Lissa and I alone in my room. "You were so tense during dinner."

"It was just a stressful dinner is all." I half lied, pulling a thick blanket over myself. "You know, dining with the royal family and all."

"No, it was more than that." She moved to sit next to me. "What's wrong?" Her green eyes filled with intense worry.

"It's nothing, I promise." I sighed waving my hand infront of me.

"Are you sure?" She asked, leaning into the velvet cushions.

"Yes, I'm sure." I sighed. "I'm going to bed. I suggest that you do the same." I stood, tightening my robe around me, letting the blanket fall to the ground.

"I will see you in the morning." She smiled, moving towards the door. "Sleep well, Rose."

I smiled, moving to put myself to bed, having sent my maids away hours ago. I had just pulled back the thick covers when I heard Lissa scream.

I dropped the blanket in my hand and ran to the door. There mounted on the wall across the way was the head of one of my guards, his decapitated body sitting several feet below, on the blood soaked floor. Behind him, on the stone wall, was "GO HOME", written in the poor man's blood.

I let out a horrified scream of my own

Lissa sat on her knees, sobs falling from her lips. Her nightgown was soaked with crimson as a herd of guards rounded the corner.

"Who did this?" The king seethed. "Who dares to do such a thing in my court?'

"We are still searching for the culprit, your majesty." One of the guards replied.

I sat in a private sitting room, my ladies at my side, with the royal family. "It's clear that the attack was directed at scaring Princess Rose." Sonya hissed. "Someone wants her to break the alliance."

"I'm not breaking the alliance." I vowed, clutching Lissa's hands in my own. I knew that my hair was probably messy beyond reproach and my face was red and tearstained, but I sounded strong nonetheless. Mia, Natalie and Jill sat around us, having been pulled from their rooms shortly after lisa and I had been taken away.

The door opened, a metal clad body stepping through. "We have cleaned the walls and floors near the Princess' room. She is free to go back."

"We are not putting her back in that room." Dimitri hissed. His black robe hanging loose around his frame as he paced the room. "Not after tonight."

"No." The king agreed. "Princess rose is no longer safe in that wing of the Castle. Neither are her ladies."

"We do have extra rooms in the Family wing." Karoline spoke. "Enough to fit Rose and her ladies comfortably."

"That is a brilliant idea." Olena spoke, a small smile gracing her face.

"That it is." the king spoke.

"We couldn't possibly intrude on you and your family, Your Majesty." I responded, trying to ignore the pit that sat in my stomach at the thought of spending another night in that room.

"It would hardly be intruding." Sonya scoffed.

"We will have you moved, immediately." The King replied, sinking deep into a plush arm chair.

"But my ladies and I, we are not part of the royal family, Your Majesty." I insisted.

"Nonsense." The king spoke firmly. "You will be soon enough." He stood swiftly, retying his robe around his frame.

"This one." Karoline smiled, pulling me into a room. "It used to be mine, but since I am to be married soon, I have been moved into a smaller room, closer to my betrothed."

The walls where the warm color of Honey with windows that reached from floor to ceiling facing the direction of the setting sun, a balcony shooting off of them. "It's lovely." I smiled, walking towards the bed that sat in the center of the room.

"It was being refurbished for you anyways." She smiled following me. "We're having all new drapes and bed coverings made. Mother and I thought that red would be a pleasant color."

I walked over to the golden mantle that sat above the fireplace. "Red is a very pleasant color, indeed."

"They should be done in a few weeks, so I am afraid that pink will have to do for now." She gave me a sad smile, letting her hands run over the satiny pink bed coverings.

"Pink will do just fine." I assured her. We stood in a silence that wasn't quite awkward, but certainly not comfortable.

"The view." She said suddenly, walking towards the windows. "The balcony looks out onto the yard where the men train in the warmer months." She opened the large glass door and beckoned for me to follow her out.

I walked to meet her on the spacious outdoor area, relishing in the feeling of the afternoon sun.

"I know that you and Dimitri get along fairly well but it never hurts to look." Her smile was tense.

We both gazed down upon the spacious green area, watching the men below swing practice swords at one another. I felt my heart ache to do the same.

"Princess Rose?" Karoline's voice startled me. "Are you alright? You seem a bit distant."

"It's nothing." I folded my hands in front of me. "You'd think me foolish if I told."

"Nonsense." She smiled. "I am the oldest of my siblings. If you are even half as foolish as they, I would be shocked."

"It's just…" I trialed off, looking back down at the green space. "I have always wanted to learn to fight, to be able to protect myself."

"Ah…" She nodded in understanding. "I can only imagine that last night increased such desire."

I looked at my hands once more, so soft and delicate, more suited to a needle than a sword.

"Well, I'm sure if you asked Dimitri to teach you the basics, he would be delighted to do so." Karoline smiled once more.

"He would?" I could barely hide my shock at her statement.

"Dimitri has always liked women who are able to hold there own." She explained, leading me back inside. "He would be thrilled to mentor you in such an art."

I felt my confusion coat the room. "Art?" I had never heard swordplay be referred to as an art before.

"Yes." She sat me down in a plush chair. "An art. Like dancing or needlepoint. It takes much practice for one to be good, not to mention a master."

"And what is Dimitri?" I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me.

She smirked in my direction, crossing her legs under the heavy fabric of her skirt. "The say that he could pass for god."

So, Yay! Some bonding time with Rose and Lisa and a lot of interaction with the other characters. My plan is for Rose to fall more into character in the next few chapters as she begins training with Dimitri. Now I have started on the next chapter, no promises when it will be up, I'll try to keep you guys waiting a little less this time.

SNEAK PEAK

"I like the idea of being able to protect myself." I replied, running a hand through my loose curls.

"Daddy says that only men should use swords. Women have our wit." Natalie replied, pulling a heavy woolen shawl around herself.

"And we all know that Rose had a wit that is sharper than any blade." Lissa smiled, poking me with her foot from the other side of the couch

Well, that's all I have for you this time!

Love you All!

ThePeridotMoon