Page 4 of The Throne Seeker

Harriet let go of her, pretending to be poised as she inclined her head. “My apologies. Hello to you, too, Evelyn,” Harriet greeted with a sheepish grin. “It’s so lovely to have you both back. I don’t know why you insist on leaving at all. Surely, this is your true home by now.”

Her mother smiled, patting her shoulder. “You make us feel right at home, but I’m afraid we cannot always burden you with our presence.”

“Harriet makes a fair point, Evelyn,” the king agreed. “Your husband wouldn’t want you to be on your own.”

The mention of her father made her shift in her stance. The king and her father had been close friends until his sudden death last year. Why the king had bothered to be friends with a man like her father was something Rose had asked herself many times. But then again, the king had never seen what she and her mother had.

“Yes, I know.” Her mother didn’t even deny it. “But we had other matters to attend to, as you well know… His passing has not been easy.”

Rose’s eyes fell to the floor as she pressed her lips together. And not out of respect for the dead.

“You’ll have to forgive Roman’s absence,” the queen interjected, changing the subject before her husband could pester them further. “He’s been away for quite some time as general.”

Rose couldn’t hide the shock wreaking havoc on her face.

Her mother recovered first. “Our little Roman? Off in the war against Vertmere?” She looked between the king and queen. “Goodness, I could swear he was just a boy the last time I saw him. Now he’s off to fight wars? We are getting old.”

Rose had to agree. Twenty-two seemed too young to be thrown into war. He was too fragile, too kind to carry such a burden. He’d always been the warmest of the brothers. To hear of him fighting a war as a general… It was nearly unfathomable. “Is it safe for him?”

A foolish question: war was dangerous for everyone.

The king and Tristan chuckled at her worry. “You haven’t seen him for some time. Rest assured, Roman ismorethan capable of handling himself,” the king informed her. “His leadership and tactical skills give us the upper hand in this war. Don’t fret; he’ll be back in time for the celebration tonight. He’s negotiating a peace treaty with Vertmere on our behalf as we speak.”

Before Rose could reply, they were interrupted by a servant. “Forgive me, your Highness, but the hunt is ready and waiting for your arrival.”

The king gave a dismissive nod. “I’ll be there momentarily.” His twinkling blue eyes looked to Rose and her mother. “Would you two like to see the sport?”

“I’m afraid I’ve grown tired after our journey,” her mother said in a regretful tone. Rose knew better. “But Rose may find it entertaining?”

The king glanced over to his son. “Tristan? Why don’t you escort her?”

“I think I’ll stay,” Tristan said instead. “Go on a walk with Rose before the celebration. It’s been a while; maybe it’ll give us time to catch up.” Tristan looked to her for confirmation.

Rose nodded, doing her best not to look too eager, even though her fingertips tingled with hope. “Yes, I’d like that.”

The king accepted his answer as if he’d known all along that Tristan would prefer that instead. “Very well, then I’ll excuse myself. I’ll see you both tonight.”

Before leaving, the king gave his queen a chaste kiss on the lips, whispering something into her ear. The queen’s mouth raised into a poised smile as they rubbed their noses together.

Rose watched them with near envy, pleased to see the past year’s hardships had not altered their devotion to one another. The older she became, the more she grasped how rare their love was. She’d never seen anything quite like it—her parents’ relationship had been void of the affection she’d so regularly seen on display here. As a girl, she’d prayed that whoever she married would love her as devotedly as Henrik loved Lenna.

“Would you like to accompany Rose and me?” Tristan asked her mother.

Evelyn waved her hand. “Oh, no. I have so much to do before the celebration tonight, but you two go on ahead. But don’t dally too long, Rose. We have to get you ready for your debut.”

Harriet was about to speak up, but the look she received from the queen silenced her. Harriet let out a disappointed sigh. “I’ll stay here with Mum.”

CHAPTER 2

Not an hour later, Rose drank in every morsel of her second home as she and Tristan climbed one of the many mountainous staircases lined with a rich crimson runner.

“Did you miss it at all?” Tristan asked, observing her soft gaze. “Being here?”

She paused, daring to look back at his eager expression with a hint of sadness. “Every day,” she confessed.

They roamed the corridors as she re-familiarized herself with the castle’s splendor. Domed windows let in plenty of sunlight to light their way as they trudged through curved corridors like ants in an endless maze. Intricate ceilings rested high above them, adding detail through the countless arches. Cathan’s sun symbol was engraved into each keystone they passed, brought over from the original castle structure that now lay overgrown in ruin. The floor under her feet was so clean she could see her reflection shining back at her.

Their footsteps echoed on the smooth stone in comfortable silence, passing a few court members on their walk as her muscle memory led her through the halls.