43

Noah
“What are you doing here?” I moaned into my pillow while watching Rose pick up books from the large shelf in my chambers and put them back right after.
“Running away from my mother. ” Rose announced with a bright smile, holding a book and slumping into an antique chair.
I rubbed my face, my eyes still feeling woozy as I tried to concentrate.
“Didn’t she talk after dinner, yesterday?” I questioned, lifting my head.
“No,” Rose shook her head, “I locked the door and she kept barking but gave up, eventually.”
“It’s probably because of the Arendelles. ” I chuckled, rising on my feet.
“Maybe. But I don’t want to talk to her. She makes me angry and it’s not we have ever agreed on anything. ” Rose muttered.
“I understand. She’s also trying to get on my nerves.” I smiled while looking at Rose. She seemed calm, unaware of the chaos she had brewed. I was certain that the Arendelle’s were probably a bit upset about Rose’s entrance.
Who wouldn’t be?
She didn’t look royal, neither did she bow or greet them. She was the reason why the dinner was cut short and their mission wasn’t actualized.
“My father still frolics around, doesn’t he? He’s such an embarrassment. ” Rose clicked her tongue.
“Are you going to talk about your parents, all morning?” I questioned, rubbing my brows.
“No,” A smile spread across her lips as she walked over to the bed, bouncing on it slightly before pressing her hand on it, facing me, “How is James?”
I scoffed, “Is that why you accepted to come back? Are you not over him, yet?”
“I was just asking about it. No need to be saucy about it. ” Rose rolled her eyes.
“You know where he is. Why bother me? Do you want to send him a letter he’d never read?” I teased with a cheeky smile.
Rose reached out and slapped me on my shoulder, “You are so annoying, Noah.”
“-And you need to understand that I’m older than you and you need to start talking to me with honorifics.” I pulled on her ear playfully, grinning while she laughed.
“My future King?” She taunted, “You don’t like hearing that, anyways.”
“I don’t like the conditions that come with being one and the title plus the duties itself is draining.” I shifted the white duvet to the side and sat beside Rose, our shoulders nearly touching.
“You don’t like that Duchess of Arendelle, do you?” Rose asked, “She would make a beautiful Queen, by the way.”
“No, I don’t and I do not intend on marrying someone I am not capable of loving,” I stated, firmly as the recollections of the previous night came back, pieces by pieces,”-Neither do I want to marry someone who doesn’t understand the meaning of boundaries and ‘do not touch me’.”
“She seemed pretentious and trying to gain everyone’s favor. They seemed delighted with everything about her.” Rose observed.
“I don’t even care. I just want her out of my life. ” I shrugged.
“You do know it’s an alliance, right? You can be forced into the fiery pit, you know? It’s not going to be easy.” Rose answered.
“I know. That’s why I’m thinking of something. ” My hands reached to touch the sides of my face.
“Marry someone else,” Rose suggested, a smile forming on my face.
I looked up, arching a brow at her wondering if she was really serious.
“Marry another Duchess?” I asked.
“Yes, just pick any woman and marry her.” Rose hurriedly spoke.
“What if she doesn’t catch my fancy? Have you forgotten that divorce isn’t permitted in the royal family?” I responded, my voice a bit louder, “At least, try to remember the royal rules.”
“You wanted that woman off your back, right? ” Rose asked.
“Yes,” I responded, “But I won’t drag an innocent duchess into the feud with my family. ”
“Then good luck trying. You know how your father is, don’t you? He’s persistent and obviously, he needs something from Arendelle so why would he care about what you think?” Rose said.
“Nobody cares, Rose, ” I uttered with honesty, “I was dragged here by deceit and arranged to a Duchess without my consent.”
“But-” A loud rapping stole our attention and I looked at Rose.
“Can I come in?” I heard a familiar voice say.
Madam Clarissa.
“Oh no. ” I slapped my open palm against my face in agony.
“Yes, you can come in. ” I yelled.
Rose looked at me with skepticism while I crossed a leg across the other, watching the door open. Madam Clarissa stepped in slowly, the cane in her hand making consecutive noises.
“I just wanted to remind you that breakfast is in less than thirty minutes, my Prince?” She bowed, “How was your night?”
“Pleasant,” I answered hurriedly.
“Who are you?” Rose asked, batting her lashes.
“I am Madam Clarissa. I’m in charge of Prince Noah’s well-being,” she answered, “You must be Princess Rose, aren’t you? I was told you lack manners and from your tone, it is quite obvious. ”
I turned, biting my lower lip. Did Clarissa have to say that?
Rose laughed, briefly covering her lips before speaking, “You have never met me neither have we had a single conversation but you judge me by my question. Aren’t you a bit condescending for someone looking after a person’s well-being?”
Still watching, I placed my hand, behind my neck.
Clarissa lifted the cane and hit it against the ground, “You will not address me, impolitely. You may be royal but you’re uncouth like a peasant. ”
“Madam Clarissa!” I called out, wanting her to stop speaking to Rose.
“My Prince, shouldn’t you be getting ready for breakfast? The Arendelles would be at the table and you need to make a good impression. Wear clothes that will make you luxurious and powerful. “Clarissa turned to look at me.
“I should. Thank you, Clarissa. ” I said, watching her shoot a glare at Rose before stepping out.
Rose clicked her tongue, “Who is she, Noah?”
“She was sent to transform me.” I shrugged.
“Why?” Rose asked.
I let out a light chuckle, staring at Rose who seemed perplexed.
“Ask your mother. She recommended her. ” I answered.
“I rather not,” Rose shook her head while laughing, “Are you interested in any woman? ”
I tilted my head, my eyes directly facing the ground, “She doesn’t like me so I have no chance anyways. ”
“Who is she? A Princess?” Rose nudged me by the shoulders.
A smile spread across my lips. Ashely wasn’t a Princess but she was the Princess of my dreams. The way she pursed her lips and glared intimidated me.
“I’ll tell you later, I don’t want to piss off the Arendelles, ” I answered hastily, “Make sure you come down for breakfast, okay?”
“They don’t want me there. I’m just going to sit down and eat, ” Rose taunted, “-I’m famished.”
I watched as she rubbed her stomach through her dress.
“Do you still take opium?” I asked, removing my shirt.
“And what if I still do?” Rose winked.
“You need to grow up,” My eyes met hers, “It’s not good for you and you know that. ”
“Are you going to start speaking like my mother?” Rose yelled, rising on her feet, “I don’t need your advice. You don’t get to tell me to grow up. ”
“Rose-” I tried to call her back to order but she shot a nasty glare at me, stomped her feet, and stormed out of my chambers, banging the doors so loudly that I was certain the guards behind it could feel it in their bones.
I sat on my bed and placed my thumb first on my forehead and other fingers followed afterward. My mind recollected the bouquet of roses that I asked Daniel to send to the bakery, anonymously and I waited for Ashely to call or send a text.
And she didn’t.
****
“You planned this, didn’t you?” Eugene caught up to me at the stairway, wearing a red-coat buttoned-up dress.
“Planned what?” I touched my neck-tie, tilting my head.
“You brought Rose here. Don’t play dumb, Noah. ” Eugene looked at me with a snarl.
I let out a ferocious chuckle and then placed my fingers on my lips in amusement.
“Rose came back home. I didn’t ask her to come. Shouldn’t you be happy? It’s the family reunion you never expected.” I slowly clapped my hands in front of her.
I watched as she scoffed.
“You must be so silly to think of trying to destroy your marriage before it happens. I will never let that happen. You will not bring shame to this family. ” she roared.
“Is that why you brought Clarissa? To tame me?” I laughed, again.
“The sun isn’t fully up and it’s a waste of time to exchange words with an insolent and rude child.” I heard her say.
“You were the one who started talking to me. I didn’t want to. You should be talking to your daughter, why act so venomous?” I asked, “-And tell Eli to act like a proper man. Rose is even embarrassed by him. ”
And with that, I clicked my tongue and started walking toward the royal dining hall. I still could hear Eugene grunting angrily, her neck showing more and more wrinkles.
I looked behind me and noticed she wasn’t there. She probably went to touch up her face and get herself together before pretentiously proving to everyone that she was a regal lady.
I was walking so fast and my eyes darted towards the sun and a realization caught me off-track. I remembered my job at the bakery and that I was supposed to be there.
“Dammit,” I whispered to myself and before I could recover, a certain woman bumped into me. I was about to apologize when I noticed that half of her face was covered up by a brown sun, straw hat.
She walked past me in a frenzy, a bit startled, and somewhere in my mind, I knew that I had seen someone like her before.
Her hands and the way she smelt, it seemed too familiar and I then recollected that I sighted a small scar in form of a moon on her right hand.
I shook my head and continued walking, taking a sharp bend with quick strides. I shot a hasty smile at the guards at the door who bowed.
I inhaled sharply and then the doors that awaited my presence opened.