Gitano & the Princess

8/9/2019 Gitano & the Princess

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Gitano & the Princess

Lisa Marie Arnopp



LisaMarieArnopp

Gitano&thePrincess

1

Kingly Mission

Princess Rosette hid behind a pillar on the mezzanine of the great hall. Below her

King Aldric spoke to a group of men. They weren’t in uniform but they were definitely

guards. Their stance gave them away.

Aldric scrutinized the men critically. “Captain Leopold has vouched that you are

the bravest, noblest and most skilled men in his command that meet the qualifications for

this unusual assignment.”

Rosette took a quick glance. The guards were young, not much older than her,

one even looked younger. She counted eight. What was her father up to with this small

team? One man looked up her way but she ducked behind cover before he spied her.

“I need one eligible gentleman. Your task will be a pleasant one I trust. Princess

Rosette is as tenacious as her reputation leads you to believe. Keeping her within safety

confines is increasingly difficult. I’m seeking an honorable man that will not take

advantage of the situation who can keep her interested enough to curb her desires to

stray.”

That plan didn’t have much merit even if she didn’t have forewarning. Rosette

crouched down and looked between balustrades to examine the prospects. She

recognized one as Pierre. He had come off as a terrible flirt and self-obsessed boor.

Perhaps amorous was one of the unnamed qualifications. Age and attractiveness must

have been considered as well. She continued her investigation. The others were

unknowns. One was far too chubby for her taste. Another too short. And she already

crossed the young one off.

“Sir.” One man stepped forward with a subtle bow. “If I understand your

intentions, you seek someone to court Princess Rosette?” He was the most handsome of

the group but just barely. Tallest of the lot with the darkest hair and complexion. She

couldn’t see more than his profile. It was pleasant. Too bad she wasn’t going to allow it.

“Not exactly. This is a temporary assignment of undetermined duration to be a

mild distraction. We’ll have a trial run this week for our Millennium Celebration. She is

betrothed to marry next year, so it cannot last long.”

Betrothed. Another one of her father’s poorly planned schemes for her.

Unfortunately, she did not have an escape to liberate herself from that dilemma.



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“If she found someone entertaining,” King Aldric continued speaking more with

his hands than words as was his way when he was nervous, “she will be less likely to

explore beyond sanctioned limits.”

Pierre snickered.

The King disapproved. “Did you have something to contribute?”

“Pardon me.” He excused. “It’s that your daughter has a knack for evading her

keepers.”

Of course she did. She didn’t need to be kept. She was the Princess after all or

had this scoundrel forgotten.

“Which is why I have come up with this plan to find a less obvious way to

manage her. It is logical to curtail her stealth with stealth.” King Aldric had eliminated

one of the eight men. “I cannot emphasize enough that there will be no inappropriate

behavior permitted.”

Rosette rolled her eyes. Her father remembered how enticing men had been to

her older sister. Rosette was paying the price for Leah’s indiscretion even though she

was not a coquette and her sister had been gone for years.

“Which one of you is Philippe?”

“Philippe isn’t here, sir.” The tall man answered.

“I am.” A man rushed in. Giving a full referential bow he apologized for his

tardiness.

He was more handsome than the rest. As far as the Princess was concerned, the

King had a winner. Maybe she could play along if only for a little while.

“Hmm.” King Aldric had mixed opinions on the man. “You were recommended

for this mission by name. Is timeliness often an issue with you?”

“No sir.” Philippe answered but the tall man harrumphed.

The King updated the latecomer of his misguided attempt of control. “Would you

be interested?”

“I’m honored you would deem me worthy of such an important task. However, I

would be a poor choice to purposely mislead a woman, even your rambunctious

daughter.”



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The nerve of this Philippe. Rosette wasn’t unruly. She had trouble with the

occasional overwhelming feeling of confinement. Who wouldn’t under constant watch?

Taking leave for personal space wasn’t beyond reason. It was perfectly safe being that

most of the kingdom didn’t recognize her out of her formal attire. As for the surrounding

town, it had a long established civil order. She expected her father to take offense in

Philippe’s ill-chosen comment.

Aldric did not. “When I was her age I wasn’t much different, perhaps worse.”

This admission shocked her. It was one he never meant her to hear. Philippe was

taken aback as well. He regretted his words seeing how they may have inadvertently

insulted the King.

“Your explanation is acceptable. I asked for honest men and I got honest men.”

King Aldric said kindly. He was down one more candidate. “Are there any here who

feel differently? Any willing to accept this unorthodox request?”

“I am, your highness.” The tall guard answered. “I’m Benoit, sir.”

Aldric grinned. “The rest of you may go.” He led Benoit to his office. The men

cleared out except for Philippe.

Rosette was trapped. There was a corridor that would take her within hearing

distance of her father’s office. It wasn’t near enough to reach without risking Philippe

seeing her. She would have to wait until he left before she could move. She repositioned

behind her pillar and sat hoping that it wouldn’t take long.

Fifteen minutes later Benoit walked out in great spirits. “Philippe, you waited for

me.” He said.

“You shouldn’t do this?”

“And you shouldn’t decline a direct request of your King.”

“Touché.”

Rosette peered out to watch the two men.

“When do you start this absurd mission?” Philippe asked to Rosette’s delight.

She needed details.

“Tonight at the Millennium Celebration.”

“You’ll spend half the night searching.” Philippe joked.



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Philippe was correct. It was ridiculous. Benoit would never find her. It was a

festival throughout the kingdom. There would be wall-to-wall people. Finding a needle

in a haystack would be simpler. It would take a few nights at least and that was if she

didn’t have the foreknowledge to avoid him. The fact that everyone would be masked

until the last night would confuse matters further.

“Not really. Her dress is very unique. I’ll find her during the opening ceremony.”

“Be careful. The King won’t tolerate it if you defile his precious Little Princess.”

Rosette’s father referred to her as Little Princess as long as she could recall. The

people had picked up on it. Often when she played the role of a commoner she heard the

term. Usually it was a kind nickname. Sometimes there was an air of condescension,

like when Philippe used it.

“Have you seen her?” Benoit asked.

Philippe shook his head that he had not.

“I hear she is beautiful with long brown hair and blue eyes bigger than an owl’s.”

“Benoit!”

“I won’t defile her unless she wants it.” He frowned. “I also hear that she is

frigid.”

Philippe laughed.

“At least you can find some affectionate companionship tonight. Or are you still

sworn off women.”

He bobbed his head up and down not committing to a more precise answer.

“Watch Little Princess carefully. She’s sly.”

“As am I.” Benoit promised. “I’ll keep her safe.”

“And who will keep her safe from you?”

The left.



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Counter Strategy

The Princess walked out of the great hall deep in thought. What dress did her

father anticipate she’d wear to the Millennium Celebration? She had many to select

from. Yet Benoit was confident he could place her.

“My Little Princess.” King Aldric found her in the hallway by her quarters.

“Father.” She curtsied.

“I have a present for you.” He held her shoulders and smiled, too broadly.

“A present?” She realized how he knew what she would be wearing.

“Eloise.” He called behind him. “Bring the gown.”

Eloise was Rosette’s lady in waiting and her closest confidant. She appeared with

a gorgeous golden dress. One look and Rosette knew it would be the only of its kind at

the ceremony. Her only option would be to rebut Benoit’s attention. That wouldn’t do.

He’d have little trouble following her.

“Do you like it?” Aldric asked wondering why she hadn’t remarked on her

present.

“It’s magnificent.” She admitted.

“Not nearly as magnificent as you.”

She smirked. Aldric was controlling because he was King. He was loving because he was her father. “I should save it for the ending of the celebration.”

“Nonsense. We’ll have another made even grander than this.” His eyes twinkled

as he considered what she may know if anything.

Seeing he might be on to her, she acquiesced. “Then I’ll wear it tonight.”

“That’s my Little Princess. Have fun this evening.” He strolled on but stopped

before descending the stairs. “And don’t run off.”

How could she in the golden beckon?

“Is something wrong?” Eloise asked.

In the privacy of her chambers, Rosette updated her friend of what she had

learned.

Eloise took it too well. She couldn’t stop laughing. “He’s getting creative.”



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“It’s definitely a new tactical approach. We’ll have to be more creative than

him.”

“We?”

“He can’t be allowed to corral me into submission.”

“For heaven’s sake. You’ll be at the festival no matter. Why would you go

anywhere else? And now you’ll have a handsome guard doting on you.”

“Who said he was handsome?”

“Is he?”

“That isn’t pertinent. What is important is that I set my own boundaries.”

Rosette pointed to her chest for emphasis.

“So you aren’t going to wear this?” Eloise admired the dress in the mirror

holding it up to her body. “Can I wear it?”

“Yes!” Rosette almost shouted. “You’re a genius.”

“How’s that?”

“It’s a masquerade. In that dress and with a mask, you’ll look enough like me that

even my own father won’t know the difference.”

“He most certainly would know.”

“Not at a distance. He’ll give his kick off speech and then go to his office.”

Rosette knew too well that her father never stopped being King even during frivolous

galas.

“And what if he discovers me?”

“He’ll know I’m on to him, of course. Not that you should admit we planned this

for a reason. Merely tell him that I permitted you to wear the dress. He can’t accuse me

of ruining a plan he can’t profess to executing.”

“I’m shorter than you.”

“You’ll wear heels.”

“Rosette?” She begged. “Can’t we save this idea for a better time?”

“When? If Benoit meets me it will take more than a mask to disguise my true

identity in the future.” Rosette stood up and fluffed the skirt of the dress that Eloise still

held to her chest.



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Rosette had always been generous with Eloise. It was never enough. She

couldn’t stop being the Princess. And Eloise was envious. Who knew why the powers

that be chose one soul for a life of luxury and another for servitude?

“Benoit is quite attractive.” Rosette added to incentivize her friend.

“Is he?”

“If you like that tall dark handsome type.”

Eloise sighed with a dreamy look. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

Rosette hugged her. “You’re the best.”

Eloise shimmied into the dress but it was too tight. “This isn’t going to work. It

was a good plan. Go with Benoit. Perhaps you’ll have fun.” She left.

Rosette wouldn’t allow for failure. She wasn’t going to wear the dress regardless.

At least she would be indistinguishable. She donned a typical dark blue skirt and light

blue blousy shirt. With a red scarf she could pass as a Gitana. Any big event brought the

traveling nomads. Gitanos camped on the east side of the castle where there was a large

unfarmed area suitable for their wagons and horses. Perhaps she’d pass through to

appease her curiosity.

Rosette rummaged through her jewelry and found two large hoop earrings.

Finishing off her look with a basic black mask, she took hidden passageways to the

courtyard.



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Opening Ceremony

The crowd waited impatiently for the King to address them and start the

Millennium Celebration. Princess Rosette navigated through and got pushed around a

fair bit. She almost barked commands for people to clear the way but she was incognito.

Benoit stood on the edge of the fountain searching for the blatant dress.

“Better luck next time.” The Princess mumbled and blended into the crowd

wearing her very ordinary garb. Then she remembered her ring was a dead giveaway. It

was a signet ring with her name delicately inscribed over her family crest. She spun it

around so only a gold band showed.

Rosette bought ale and a snack. It was a guilty indulgence. The castle cooking

staff was incredible but there was something about plain common food that made her feel

like one of the people, if only for a short spell. Sitting far off on the steps she spied her

father’s entourage leading him to his platform.

King Aldric’s speech was stirring as always. As he orated he scanned the people

for the telltale golden gown. Rosette waited for the revelation to hit that she had forgone

the dress.

Aldric’s face lit up. She glanced and saw why he wasn’t disappointed. If she

didn’t know where she was, Rosette could have sworn she saw herself wearing her golden gown watching from an archway. It didn’t take long for Benoit to make a beeline

for his prey. Eloise had come through again. The Princess knew the dress size was

manageable and Eloise was being uncooperative. Clearly she changed her mind.

“I owe her big.” Rosette said.

“Who?”

She turned embarrassed to be overheard and saw Philippe. He skipped the mask.

Philippe was as tall as Benoit. He too had dark hair and eyes but a more agreeable face.

Unfreezing from her shock she explained, “My friend who leant me some suitable attire.”

Philippe candidly glanced her up and down. “You look very nice. When you

convey your thanks, add mine was well. I’m Philippe.”

“Thank you.” She couldn’t tell him her real name so she offered up her middle.

“You can call me Carine.”



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“Please to meet you Carine.” He lifted her hand and kissed it.

Rosette had two choices. One, she could slip out before the end of the speech and

ignore the man who thought her a sly princess. Or two, she could have an enjoyable

evening with a man she might have liked to meet on any other day. She chose option

two.

The audience burst into cheers at the end of the King’s speech. Fireworks shot off

in the night sky. The weeklong celebration had officially begun. It was tradition to wear

masks until the final day on the true anniversary date to symbolize coming into an

enlightened age.

Philippe held his hand to help her from her seat. “Would you care to keep me

company, Carine?”

“That would be lovely.” She said eagerly. It didn’t make a lot of sense on some

level. If he had been the man assigned to woo her, she would’ve avoided him. Since he

wasn’t, spending more time didn’t sound awful even if he did think she was

rambunctious. If she weren’t, she would have never met him.

As the mob thinned into the streets to the numerous booths, music and food

outlets, Philippe held her arm in his. “Did you travel here for the Celebration?”

“No, I live in town.” She kept her charade as true to life as possible without

revealing she was the Princess. The fewer details she had to remember the less likely she

would give herself away.

“I haven’t seen you before.”

“It’s a big city.”

He smiled at her. “What do you want to do first?”

“You decide.” Rosette demurred.

They toured a street lined with various fair games; darts, milk can toss, even a

dunking booth. Philippe chose knife throwing. He paid the attendant for two rounds and

handed her three blades. Giving her a demonstration on technique he tossed first. Two

were perfect. The last was off center, thanks to Rosette who ran her hand down his back

complimenting him on his first two hits. She was losing her touch. His third should have

missed the board all together.

“You’re turn.” He said.



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Rosette was trained on many weapons as well as other defense skills. For fun and

to feed his ego, she purposely threw poorly. Too prideful to completely ruin it, she

formed a perfect triangle. Her handsome escort didn’t notice.

“That was horrible.” Philippe bought another set. “Let me show you.” Standing

behind her he put the blade between her fingers and shadowed the motion.

It was meant to be affable but she felt patronized. Seeing that she had overfed his

conceit, she tossed three bull’s-eyes in rapid succession.

“Impressive.” Philippe complimented thinking he was the most brilliant teacher

ever.

They explored the festivities and sat to listen to one of the musical groups. A

couple of Philippe’s friends joined them for a few minutes. He subtly suggested he

would find them later in the week.

Avoiding disclosing too much about herself, she kept him busy answering

questions. He had lived in town for a few years so he could be close to his family. His

father and mother ran a bakery in town. He’d been recruited to the guards a year earlier.

King Aldric had wanted a larger force knowing the Millennium Celebration was coming

and there had been a big push for quality men.

The imposter Princess sashayed by with Benoit. She was practically nibbling his

lobe. Rosette guessed Eloise had too much ale. It was atypical for her lady in waiting to

be so public with affection, but then again Rosette didn’t often see Eloise outside the

castle and her duties. The real Princess never let herself get too intoxicated. It led to

more romance than moderate flirting and she drew the line at moderate flirting. Hence

the frigid reputation.

Philippe had taken note of them as well recognizing Benoit. His eyebrow lifted

when the two men exchanged looks.

The evening waned onward. Philippe was charming. Rosette felt a tinge of guilt

for her ruse and debated divulging the truth. He led her to one of the gates and they

walked out of the castle walls for a romantic stroll in the moonlight. It was uncharted

territory for her. She had always kept her interactions with men somewhat public. Still

she allowed it.



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They paused by a wooden fence. Philippe sat her atop the rail. Brushing her hair

back he removed her mask. “You should never wear a mask. It’s deceitful and your eyes

are your best feature.”

She blushed.

“I almost had to work tonight.” He confessed taking her hand.

“Lucky for me.”

“You’re much better company.”

He didn’t realize he had insulted her as much as he flattered her by his remark.

A trumpet blast shattered the serenity followed closely by two others. It was a

call to arms for the guards. Something was wrong. Almost every festival had some

disturbance and this was the biggest in her life and probably in the history of the

kingdom. Rosette was thankful she wasn’t in the vicinity of the altercation. Another

three blasts, another pause and three more.

“I have to go.” He regretted. “Wait here.”

“I’ll go home.”

“Let me see what the problem is. Stay hidden.” The guards were always hyper

alert and Philippe was well trained.

“I’ll be careful.” Rosette promised thinking he was overreacting.

“You’ll stay here.” Philippe ordered. “It’s something with the Royal Family.”

The Princess was about to scold him for his insubordination until she learned the

meaning of the alarm. She panicked. Don’t panic was a firm rule for the Royal Family.

Facts. Her father stressed that panic was wasted energy and getting the facts was the best

way to solve any predicament. She’d wait.

“Can you climb?”

“What? A tree?”

“There are two trees that intertwine down this path. They’ll be easy to scale. Get

as high up as you can and keep quiet. I’ll be back soon.”

Rosette nodded. Philippe ran back to the castle hand on his sword.

She found the place he intended. It had been years since she climbed a tree. Was

it really needed? Listening carefully, she didn’t hear a sound other than revelers on the

inside of the wall. Nighttime, alone, in the woods was not a good place to be when she



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was the Princess. Sighing, Rosette lifted up as high as she could and waited

uncomfortably between two limbs.

Perhaps she should go into the passages and check on her father. Since she was

safe and Prince Maximilien was on a goodwill tour for the last two years, the only Royal

Family member in town was her father. Did that trumpet mean he was hurt or worse?

Settling her fears she decided it was more likely a routine drill than real danger. For a

moment, she believed that.

“Hush.” A gruff voice warned as three men came down the road. “This is a good

spot. The Princess doesn’t leave the grounds.”

“Yes sir.” Another answered.

They hadn’t seen Rosette but she was scared. The tighter she held on the more

her hands perspired.

“Benoit said we are to inspect every woman that passes this way.”

Rosette figured all the gates were under the same restriction. Trying to get a

firmer grip she slipped and leaves floated down.

“Up there.” The gruff man pointed. “Come down.”

“Go away.” She struggled to keep steady.

Nodding to his cohort an arrow shot up landing within an inch of her fingers. She

knocked it down but the head remained in the tree.

“Down or the next one won’t miss.”

Rosette was going to be out of the tree either way. She palmed the arrowhead as

she scuttled out of her miserable sanctuary.

The man grabbed her roughly and pinned her to the trunk. “Who are you?”

“I’m Carine.”

“It could be the Princess.” Another answered. They only had a description and

couldn’t be absolute. “Brown hair and blue eyes isn’t a common combination.”

“Princess Rosette?” She played dumb trying to squirm free. “I wish.”

The gruff man leaned in, “If you are Princess Rosette, it would be wise to let us

know. Otherwise, I’ll be at liberty to do as I please.” Running his hand down her body

he made his intentions clear.



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Disgusted by the vulgarity Rosette slashed at his face with the arrow. When he

released her she only got two steps away before another had her pinned in his arms.

The gruff man felt the bloody scar and slapped her.

Her whole head tingled in pain. She had taken worse but not in years.

“You’ll regret that.” Before the rogue could carry through on his threat a knife

sprouted from his forehead. He fell. The man holding the Princess shoved her into the

dirt as he grabbed his sword, but his neck was split opened by a faster blade held by

Philippe. The third man ran but Philippe’s metal flew out of his hands and square into

the fleeing man’s back.

“Are you all right?” He inspected Rosette.

“What’s wrong at the castle?” She asked more frightened than ever and averting

her eyes from the dead men on the ground.

“I’m not sure. The Princess is missing and the King has assigned a new head of

the guards.”

“Benoit?” She guessed.

“How did you know?”

“I need to go back.”

“No.” He held her arm. “It isn’t safe. I’m not reporting. Something is fishy

about this.”

“I’ll say. Father wouldn’t replace Leopold as Captain. Most definitely not with

the very man that failed to keep me safe.”

Philippe was stunned. “Are you saying you’re the Princess?”

“I am.” She admitted. “Eloise wore my dress so that I wouldn’t be hounded all

night by Benoit.”

“Even if you are the Princess, it isn’t safe – especially if you’re Princess Rosette.

We need to get out of here.”

“We need to see my father.” She countered commanded and started for the castle.

“These aren’t the only troops looking for you. I don’t know who to trust right

now. I don’t know if I believe you are truly Rosette but either way, it would be better if

we…”



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“You can stay here.” She veered off the dirt path to a secret entrance. Only

Prince Maximilien and her knew the forgotten hidden passages well. No one would find

her. And they would need hers or her father’s ring to access them.



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The Prodigal Daughter

“Carine!” Philippe tried to get her to listen.

The Princess was off the path and headed to a hidden entrance to the kingdom.

She spun on her heels and held up her palm.

Annoyed at first his eyes finally found what she meant. Her ring with the name

Rosette Carine scrolled neatly across the top over the family crest. Flustered and a

bit angered by her pretense he bowed, “Your highness.”

“Stop that.” She snapped. “Excuse my rudeness but I need to see my father.”

“Princess Rosette,” It was awkward to address her as such after spending an

evening believing her to be a common maiden, “They hunt you. They’ll use you to

control the King.” Like her, Philippe suspected the King’s authority was compromised.

He didn’t see a good reason to allow more influence in favor of the traitors.

“I’ll go to his room. No one will see me. There is a secret way.”

“Us. No one will see us.” He persisted.

“Follow me.” She slid open a panel and they entered a dark dank corridor. “And

be quiet. Noise is muffled but not completely.”

Philippe pulled out his dagger and held her hand as she made way for the King’s

chambers. The corridors were intricate. Even with a light they would be hard to manage.

Many routes were near impossible to find. One of her paranoid ancestors must have

spent a great deal of time designing them.

Rosette was comfortable in the darkness – usually. Her heart pounded so loudly

she was sure Philippe could measures its rhythm. Feeling her way she found the turn she

needed. When they walked up a constricted staircase, they heard scuffling. Men were

fighting in the Castle. She halted.

Philippe put his arm, weapon in hand, around her waist. “We’re safe.” Hewhispered reassuringly.

But was her father? Rosette stepped forward renewing her determination.

Further, she softly said, “Thank you.”

“Princess?”

“For coming with me. For rescuing me in the woods.”



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“It’s my job to protect the Kingdom and its rulers.”

“You didn’t know who I was.” She reminded him. It was admirable.

Considering some of his snide remarks, it may have been to her advantage that he didn’t

know who she was. “And I am forbidden to rule except in dire need.”

“Why is that?”

“Sshh.”

The passage had occasional light from deftly hidden holes placed overhead or

near the floor. From the other side, they were invisibly disguised in the décor. The

brightness was minimal but better than absolute dark. They served a second purpose as

well. Sound carried in clearly. It must have been a very paranoid ancestor.

“He’s demanding to see his daughter.” A voiced begged.

They were close to the King’s chambers.

“Soon.” Benoit answered. “Tell him she’ll be there shortly.”

Philippe’s hand squeezed Rosette’s and nudged her to move on.

Did Benoit know where she was? Even if he suspected where she might be, no

one could navigate the labyrinth better than her. Not even Prince Maximilien, who

wouldn’t send armed men to hunt her.

Finally they reached their destination. Rosette’s plan had one minor flaw.

Although she knew where to find her father, she did not know if or where a door led into

his chambers and more precisely where the keyhole was that fit her ring. She felt along

the wall unsuccessfully.

“Where is that cursed offspring of mine?” King Aldric hollered. “I demand to

see her at once!”

“Soon.” A muted voice answered.

Why was he mad at her? Maybe she was mistaken to think something was amiss.

“Father.” She called tentatively. “Can you hear me?” The nature of the corridors made

noise in clearer than noise out unless you paid careful attention.

“Rosette?” Aldric kept his voice very low. “Where are you?”

“In the wall behind your tapestry.” She told him.

“Are you safe?” His question trembled with fear and uncertainty.



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“Yes. I’m sorry for running off.” Rosette placed her hand on the wall yearning to

touch her father’s.

“Rosette, if ever there was a day I was grateful for your truant ways... Are you

alone?”

“No Father. I’m with a guard named Philippe.”

“Can you trust him?”

“She can.” Philippe answered.

“Philippe take her from here. Keep her safe. Find Maximilien before he arrives

at the end of the week. Warn him of what he’ll face. They have infiltrated our army but

there numbers are minor. Some of their men are dressed in common clothes. They are

using their anonymity well. They plan to ambush Maximilien and take the throne.”

“How can they do that?”

“Killing us for starters.” The King said dismally. “Guard Rosette with your life.

If I fail here, I want her safe.”

A loud knock interrupted their hushed conversation. Two sets of footsteps

entered. Philippe tapped Rosette’s shoulder and motioned to the openings above. He

held out his hands in a makeshift stirrup. The tight space made it easy to anchor her arms

on each wall.

Rosette hoisted up and looked down into the room. She almost tumbled when she

saw her sister in her gold dress standing menacingly next to Benoit.

“Daddy, you called for me?” Leah smirked to see the King in despair.

“You are no daughter of mine. Where did you get that dress?”

“Rosette’s room.” Leah fussed with her gown. “Doesn’t it look beautiful?”

“You’re never going to succeed.” King Aldric snarled.

Leah walked over and grabbed Aldric’s hand. He yanked it from her.

Benoit knocked him to the floor. “Show a little respect to the future Queen.”

“Over my dead body.” The King rose head held high.

“Unfortunately, that isn’t possible. After next week, you will be completely

useless. For now, you’re instrumental.” The former Princess’ voice was ragged. It was

from a hard life in exile. It had been ten years at least since Rosette last saw her

treacherous sibling. “The ring.” Leah requested.



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The King refused.

“He’ll cut it from your finger.”

Benoit pulled his sword.

Aldric didn’t budge.

“I’d like the ring.” Leah nodded for Benoit to hurry.

“If we take his finger, people will know the castle has been breached.” He waited

for a response and then turned back thinking Leah didn’t see an issue where he had.

Leah held the traitor back. “Not today. We’ll collect it later. The people cannot

know that anything is out of the ordinary. For now, our task is to find the elusive Little

Princess.”

“She could be anywhere by now. If she understood the alarm, she probably has

fled beyond our perimeters.”

“Possible.” She admitted too easily. “Rose will be back. She was always

Daddy’s favorite.” Her eyes flashed at the King. “Rumor is you couldn’t even execute

the punishment due for her transgression.”

“You leave her alone. She saved your life.”

“I was thankful at first.” Leah stated coolly. “Keep the patrols on notice until

morning. I’ll decide what to do about Rose if she hasn’t turned up. Make it clear she is

to be unharmed.”

“And if she is in the maze? How will we track her there?”

Leah knew of the mazes. She had only been in them once with Rosette and she

was blindfolded at the time. She had little information about their layout other than they

existed and that Rosette knew them well.

“I have taken precautions. It isn’t pleasant but she’ll need this if my spies find

her.” Leah dangled her necklace with her thumb. There were two vials on the chain, one

dark, the other light. “As for him, put him in a cell.”

“The dudgeons are full.” Benoit informed her.

“Not the dungeon. The tower. There are no passages up that way. Rosette will

need to come to me if she wants to plea for his release. As if that were a viable option.”

“You heard the lady. Get.” Benoit led the King out the door and Leah followed.



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Traitors in the Castle Walls

Rosette wanted to cry. She would have if she hadn’t been trained it was a sign of

weakness and strictly forbidden all her life. Only once had she broken down and it had

severe consequences.

Philippe stayed close as she took him to a safe exit.

As they passed the kitchen Philippe motioned to a larger than normal hole near

the floor. It was four inches in diameter. Probably crumbled from the heat of the fires.

Rosette peered out and saw the bricks of the bread oven.

Once they were below the ground floor, the corridors were darker than night. A

little further was a lantern. The Princess had placed a few around the lower levels

knowing the light was not noticeable in the subterranean.

“Princess.” Philippe blocked her. “Where to now?”

“Straight down this path leads to the street between the Butcher and Duke’s

Tavern.”

“Is there another route? That is too close to the main gate.”

“We can take a left and that will lead to the Boutique and Bakery. Not far from

there is a hidden door out of the kingdom. The only direct route to the outside wall is the

way we came in. Is that better?”“Left will do.” He said. “Do we feel our way?”

“Silly man.” She gently pushed him aside and felt with her foot until she heard a

clang. Squatting she blindly searched for matches. A moment later the stonewalls and

dirt floor were lit by her lantern.

“Won’t that make it easy to find us? There are spies.”

“No one enters these corridors without one of our signet rings. And Leah merely

knows of their existences. I had only begun to explore them before she left. She may

know of some of the outlets but she couldn’t find her way out let alone a hired hunter.

Even if she had father’s ring, I doubt she’d even find how it worked.” And they knew the

ring was safely on her father’s finger.

Philippe nodded and helped her to her feet. “We’ll douse the flame when we’re

close to the street.”



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When Rosette bent to lift the lantern, a snake leapt out and bit her left wrist. In an

instance Philippe cut it just below the head and pried the jaw wide. Sharp pain shot up

her arm. She fell against the wall for support. He took her wound to his mouth and

sucked and spat over and over again. Finally he tasted only blood.

“Does it hurt?” He ran his hand along her face. His fingers were cold.

Rosette was dazed. Her focus was unstable but she didn’t miss that his lips were

covered in small blisters. The poison was acidic. He ripped two pieces off his tunic. He

tied one over her wrist and put the snake’s head in the other.

When Rosette moved she staggered and hit the wall. Philippe wrapped her arms

around his waist. Keeping a dagger drawn, he did his best to hold her hand. With his

other hand he held out the lantern. Rosette leaned against his back and they moved

slowly.

“Here.” Rosette told him when he missed the turn even with the lantern.

They found another snake. It was longer than the first. At least five feet and pure

shiny black. It had odd horns over each eye. Philippe exterminated it quickly and kept

its head with the other.



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Parental Advice

The fresh air felt good in Rosette’s lungs but that was all the felt good. Her wrist

burned and her senses dimmed. Free of the lantern and blade concealed, Philippe slung

her arm over his shoulder and walked as if they were any drunken couple. They blended

in with those that had not finished celebrating for the night.

When a troop of guards walked by, Philippe pulled Rosette in for a long kiss.

Once they passed he stopped. “Excuse me. I can’t risk being recognized. Nor can you.”

Rosette barely registered what had happened. She stumbled along as he walked

her to a dwelling. It was a small cottage among the vendors that maintained the

storefronts. He opened the door without knocking.

“Philippe?” A man asked. “Is that you?”

The room was warmed and lit by the hearth fire that was little more than embers.

The man sat alone at his table. At the sound of Philippe’s voice his expression lightened.

“Hello.”

Philippe sat Rosette in a chair. He put the snakeheads on the table. Then he took

her wrist and began to clean the wound with a wet rag.

“Dad, have you ever seen this kind of viper before?”

His father picked up one head and examined it. Carefully he ran his fingers over the skullcap and along its gapping mouth. “It’s a horned asp. They are not indigenous to

these parts. Was she bitten?”

“She was. I tried to get the poison out but…” He knew there was some left. She

wasn’t fully lucid.

“Did you swallow any?”

“No.” He shook his head.

His father reached for his sons face and ran a bony finger over his mouth. “Are

you sure?”

“Yes. You taught me well.”

“Hello?” The older man greeted Rosette.



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“Hello. I’m Carine.” She answered not wanting to be discovered. All her

physical strength was drained. It was uncivilized to remain seated as she met Philippe’s

father but slouching was all she could manage.

“Carine?” He frowned. “Rosette Carine?”

“Princess Rosette, this is Felix my father. You can trust him.”

She wasn’t sure she should trust Philippe but she didn’t have any choices or

evidence to renounce him.

“Son, come here.” Felix pulled Philippe aside for a silent conversation.

When Philippe returned to her, he was sickly pale. “Rosette. My father says this

poison is lethal even in small doses. If anything, I only delayed…”

“There is a way.” The older man remarked.

“That’s foolishness.” Philippe surprisingly bit back. “We need a real cure that is

findable not unsubstantiated folk lore.”

“Why did you come to me if you weren’t going to listen. You’ve given her time,

days, maybe more than a week. That’s enough.”

Rosette struggled to stay attentive. Her brain lagged behind but she had caught

every word. “What way?” She asked.

“Dragon’s blood. It can cure any toxin or ailment.”

Philippe rolled his eyes. “We’ll keep you as comfortable as we can. You’ll stay

here and I’ll find Prince Maximilien. King Aldric’s message will be delivered.”

“Did you say you killed one before it struck?” The old man picked up the

snakeheads and dropped them in a kettle of water.

“That’s right.”

“Good.” After stoking the fire with more wood, he placed the pot. Then he

rummaged around his shelves and added odd spices and animal parts seemingly

arbitrarily.

“What are you doing? You said there isn’t a remedy.” Philippe asked dejectedly.

“No cure. But we can stop the symptoms. She’ll need her strength if she’s going

North to find a dragon.”

“North?” Rosette asked.



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“I’ll take you. Philippe can seek out the Prince and we’ll find you dragon’s

blood.”

“Dad, you are not taking Princess Rosette North. They’re looking for her and will

slaughter whoever protects her.”

“I agree it would be better for you to take her and I could find the Prince. An

innocuous old man won’t be suspected of inside information. Not with the roads

crowded as they are these days.”

“There is no such thing as dragons.” Philippe barked.

“What is all the commotion?” A handsome woman walked in rubbing her eyes.

“Philippe?” She embraced him. “Oh no, what’s wrong with her?”

His father informed his mother Anabella of their predicament as he cooked snake

serum stew. “We’ll take her. You find Prince Maximilien and be careful.”

Rosette’s eyes had been closed. She didn’t even realize it until a spoon was held

to her lips.

“Drink the broth.” Anabella urged.

It tasted awful. “What is that?”

“You don’t want to know.” Another spoon was fed to the Princess. “That’s a

good girl.”

“How can you find the Prince?” Philippe challenged his father.

“I have my ways.” He answered mysteriously.

Rosette’s strength was returning. “Crystal ball?”

He laughed at her assumption. “Margarite.”

“She has a crystal ball?”

“Who is Margarite?” Philippe asked annoyed at Rosette’s playful answers.

“Victor’s wife.”

“Victor got married?”

“Victor is among the troops with Prince Maximilien. He met a woman named

Margarite and sent her ahead to stay with the family. She’s with child. Anyway, she saw

Victor not even a week ago. So I have the general direction greatly narrowed down.”



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“I’ll go to my brother.” Rosette felt coherent. Aside from her aching wrist, she

would never guess she was ill – just extremely tired. Sitting up straighter she felt how

greatly her energy was lacking.

“You are as important as Prince Maximilien.” Anabella said sagely. “Plus, they

will look for you on that road expecting you to seek out your brother. A couple of old

Gitanos will go undetected.”

“You’re Gitanos?” Rosette was surprised. Sure they had dark hair and eyes and

were attractive but they lived in town. Gitanos were notorious for never settling in one

spot too long.

“I am.” Anabella pointed at Felix. “He can fake it.” She winked. “Philippe will

take you North.”

Rosette looked at Philippe. “You don’t believe in dragons?” Neither did she.

Old wives tales.

He didn’t answer.

“He won’t say it with me here.” Anabella smirked at her son. “I’ve seen one

before. They are majestic. Finding one will not be a problem. Once you are far enough

that there is only rock and snow on the ground, the dragon will find you. They know

when people are in need.”

“How do we get the blood from him?” Rosette couldn’t believe she was asking

such an illogical question but if they found a dragon, she didn’t imagine getting its blood

would be simple.

“Ask nicely.” Anabella stood up. “Come now. You need to rest if the medicine

is going to last all week.”



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The First Step

Rosette tossed and turned all night. If not from the poison in her veins than from

the nightmare images replaying from the day before. Very unrested but stronger than the

previous evening, she found Philippe looking equally tired. His blisters had healed but

his lips looked redder than normal.

Philippe sat her down and rolled up her skirt on one side. “Pardon the intrusion.”

He said as he caressed her leg with his rough fingers. Rosette gulped feeling vulnerable

and aroused. His spare hand reached for a leather and metal object on the table. His

other hand didn’t move from her thigh. “Mother wanted you to wear this.” Their eyes

locked for a moment until he reluctantly dropped his to fasten the mini scabbard to her

upper leg and fixed the dagger.

“I could have done that.”

“Not with your wrist.” He fixed her skirt.

“Won’t it be hard to reach under my clothes?”

“Perhaps but it will also be harder to see. It’s precautionary in case…” He left

things unsaid. “We should go.”

“I’m running away.” Rosette had all her life but this time it felt wrong, weak, and

cowardly. “Am I doing the right thing?”“It’s your only chance to stay alive.”

“You don’t believe we’ll find a dragon.”

“I don’t know if I could recognize one if it bit me in the butt but we’ll do our

best.”

“You’ll succeed.” Anabella entered and gave Rosette a bag of provisions

including spare clothes.

Felix walked in. Like Anabella, he had faith. “Hernando’s caravan leaves today.

I’ve arranged for you to join them.”

“It’s only the second day of the feast.” Philippe stated. “Won’t it look odd that

we’re leaving?”

“The Gitanos sense something is off. It wasn’t hard with all the brawls that broke

out on the first night. Many are heading out if not for good to put space between them



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and the castle. The first groups to leave were interrogated but the guards are uninterested

with Gitanos. You’ll pass under cover.”

Anabella gave Rosette a warm hug. “Be courageous Little Princess.” She kissed

her cheek. Felix did the same. After Philippe bade farewell to his parents they walked

out into the streets.

Philippe kept a low profile. He didn’t want anyone seeing either of them and

recognizing who they were. Often he pulled Rosette’s hood further up her head. She was

chilly, colder than she should be, and it did keep her warm but she hated the limited view.

“Keep it up.” He barked.

She adjusted her cloak and pulled him aside. “Before we leave the town, I should

see to Eloise.”

“Eloise?”

“She’s my lady in waiting. We should bring her with us.”

“No.” He said tersely.

“Then we should warn her to keep a low profile.”

“We can’t try to contact everyone you care about. They could be helping Leah.”

“She would never do that.”

“King Aldric ordered me to keep you safe.” He lifted her hand and kissed the

back of her hurt wrist. “I’ve already failed. Eloise will have to see to herself.”

“But…”

“No.”

“I trust her more than I trust you.” Rosette snapped.

“I’ve proven myself and you need to trust me. You do not need to see anyone in

the castle.”

He made good sense. She didn’t care for it. Reluctantly Rosette led them through

a hidden portal in the castle’s outer wall. Many Gitanos camped nearby during the

celebration. She was in no way prepared for the sheer numbers. Philippe knew the way

and before long they came up on four green wagons.

“Philippe? It has been so long. You’re all grown up.” A frail gray haired woman

smiled.



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“Pilar?” He let go of Rosette’s hand and spun the lady tenderly in a circle as if

she were a child. “You look younger every time I see you.”

“Liar. I always appreciated that about you.” Her eyes scanned Rosette. “Your

father said you and your wife would join us for a couple of days.”

“This is Carine.” Philippe encouraged the Princess forward with a friendly arm.

“Carine, this is Pilar. She taught me more about sword play than I ever learned in the

guards.”

“Nice to meet you.” Rosette curtsied as she shook the lady’s hand.

“I wondered who would eventually capture our handsome man’s heart. I’ll admit,

I expected him to fall for a Gitana.”

Rosette looked nervously to Philippe unsure what to say.

He kissed the Princess’ cheek. “When love comes, you don’t ask questions.”

“Using my own words against me.” Pilar teased. “I told you that when you were

chasing after one of us.”

“Pilar wouldn’t leave her husband for me.” He jokingly explained.

Rosette giggled.

“Come on. I’m afraid Hernando is already plotting to take full advantage of

another strong back in our team. Are you ready for some honest work?”

“Probably not, but I’ll fake it. As usual.” He handed Pilar a large sack of bread

and pastries. “From my parents.”

She opened for a quick whiff. “There wasn’t a need but thank you.”

Pilar was spry for her age. Rosette noted that she carried a lot of respect from her

band of travelers. Hernando was Pilar’s husband and they shared a wagon. Ciriaco and

Diego were two brothers that shared another. Joaquin and Gloria were family friends and

had a third wagon that they would share with their daughter Evangelina. The last wagon

would be Philippe and Rosette’s for the next couple of days. Usually it housed

communal supplies. The living conditions were cramped because of it.

Hernando was eager to hit the road but Diego and Evangelina were missing. In

the hour they had been in the Gitano camps many had cleared out. More stayed.

Philippe got antsy as another hour passed and they were no farther from the castle or

closer to the fabled dragon.



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Biding her time and quelling her anxiety, Rosette explored their wagon. The

driving cabin was covered and sat two easily, probably three comfortably enough. A

window slid open to look inside. There was a carpet rolled up and blankets for their

bedding. The back was full of supplies including kegs of ale and food. A narrow

opening led to the back. Walking to the back Rosette found steps leading to the door.

The princess opened it and saw bits of feathers.

“They moved the chickens to another wagon for our comfort.” Philippe told her.

“That was kind.” Rosette said but thought it was going to be uncomfortable

living on the road in such tight quarters with or without livestock. “They think we’re

married.”

“It was an excuse to be traveling together.”

Of course. A man and woman traveling together would have to be married or

related and they knew his family.

“I shouldn’t have been so short with you about your friend. It can’t be easy

leaving everything in uncertain terms.” Philippe sat her down. “You understand why we

had to go without anyone knowing. Even if you can trust Eloise, she could crack under

pressure.”

Rosette nodded. It was his military training.

“Are you okay?” He pulled back her hood to see her properly.

“I’m scared.” She admitted. “I’ve never been away from the kingdom.”

“Never?”

Rosette shook her head. “I’m scared and worried. Father is held captive. Max is

walking into a trap. People are going to get hurt.”

Philippe put his arm around her. “Keep your strength. Once we’ve found what

we need, I’ll come back.”

“We’ll come back.” She non-negotiated. “If we can cure me, I’m coming back to

do whatever I can. And I’m not naïve enough to think success is certain. Actually, if we

accomplish this, I will be the most amazed.”

Philippe got stiff from the morbid undertones of her statement. “If we fail, at

least we failed trying.” He got up and busied himself.



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Finally a gorgeous woman and dashing man walked up without a care in the

world. As good-looking as the man was, the woman was so obvious Rosette almost

didn’t notice him. The lady had the best figure the Princess had ever seen or perhaps it

was that her clothes displayed it overtly. Her hair hung loose to her waist, black and

wavy. Her darks eyes sparkled when she smiled. At the sight of Philippe Evangelina ran

into his arms and kissed him on the mouth. Diego was displeased. Philippe was not.

“Evangelina,” Philippe stuttered when his lips were liberated to speak, “this is…”

He looked dully at Rosette.

“I’m Carine.” She held out her hand.

“Hello.” Evangelina ignored the gesture and kept herself wrapped around

Philippe.

“Carine is Philippe’s wife.” Pilar warned the young Gitana. “And more

understanding than I would be given the circumstances.” She added under her breath.

Rosette smirked. She wasn’t jealous. Philippe wasn’t married to her.

Evangelina jumped back almost a full yard from Philippe. “Excuse me. I hadn’t

heard you were married.” She glanced quickly to Rosette’s hand and saw her gold band.

“It’s a recent development.” Philippe said embarrassed. “We’re joining the

caravan for a few days.”

“We don’t have room.” She answered pretending to be confused.

“They’ll take the supply wagon and you’ll bunk with your parents.” Hernando

said with authority.

Evangelina pouted but didn’t protest. “It’s only for a couple of days. I suppose

that isn’t much of an imposition for an old friend.”

Philippe readied their horses as Rosette watched feebly. Her wrist stung and she

gingerly massaged to ease the throb.

“Can I help?” She asked.

“Probably not.” He said as if his thoughts were miles away.

Filled with nervous energy and snake poison, she rummaged for some water. She

was parched.

“Don’t drink it all. We won’t stop for a few hours and we have to use it

sparingly.” He scolded.



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“Sorry.” Rosette felt stupid.

“And pull up your cloak hood. We don’t want anyone seeing you.”

“Yes.” She obeyed. Deciding to do something other than watch, she fed their

horses carrots.

Evangelina waltzed over. “It is really great to see you again.” She tossed a strap

over the mare. Philippe caught it and secured the harness. “We have a lot to catch up

on.” Her eyes darted non-too-slyly towards the Princess.

“At dinner.” He vowed mesmerized by her very presence.

Rosette thought it was uncouth for Evangelina to be so forward in her interest.

Evangelina didn’t know their marriage was a ruse. Joaquin called for his daughter and

the dark haired beauty sauntered off.

Philippe sat next to Rosette. They were off. The clouds had hung high all

morning. Once they were on the road, the skies drizzled weakly. Rosette was thankful

since it would have been suspicious to wear her hood midday.

Philippe and Rosette were in the second wagon. Hernando and Pilar lead the way.

A roadblock stopped all travelers. Their caravan waited for another to clear out before

they moved forward.

The Princess was prepared to turn herself in if the guards recognized her. She

couldn’t allow for innocent people to die protecting her when she may have less than a

week to live.

“How many in your band?” A man asked.

“Nine.” Hernando answered.

“Any single ladies?” The guard asked.

“Evangelina. She’s in the last wagon with her parents.”

“Move along.” The man waved them forward.

Philippe scooted the Princess close to him. Rosette smiled and nodded as they

passed the guards. She subtly closed her eyes so they wouldn’t see they were blue. It

was rare for Gitano to have light eyes. Safely past the watchers, she peered back and

noted the guards appraise Evangelina. Probably to see if she could be the wayward

Princess. Even though she was not, they were pleased with what they saw.



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They set out for a faster pace on the open road. It was bumpy. Rosette held her

wrapped wrist.

“Is it bothering you?” Philippe worried.

Rosette shook her head. There wasn’t anything he could do. “What’s the story

with you and Evangelina?” She asked for distraction.

“We were close once. I wanted to marry her but we had different ideas of what

that future would look like.” He said uncomfortably. “She likes to travel and I was

setting roots to stay near my parents.”

“Why? Couldn’t you see them regularly?”

“I guess. But since Dad lost his eye sight I worry.”

Rosette hadn’t even noticed that Felix was blind. “I’m sorry.” She said.

They rode in awkward silence. Whenever her wound throbbed she kept it to

herself.



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Wearing the Pants

Philippe thought they made good headway for starting so late in the day. They

passed a lot of travelers going the opposite direction. Some asked about the celebration

and why they were leaving so quickly. Hernando said they had other engagements. They

passed one town, if you could call a handful of businesses a town. They set camp about

two hours further.

It was almost dark when Hernando found a spot for the night. They circled the

wagons and got to work.

“I don’t know what to do.” Rosette whispered to Philippe.

“Pilar will direct you.” He said nonchalantly.

“But even if she tells me, I won’t know what to do.”

Philippe looked at her quizzically and then he remembered who she was. “The

Princess wouldn’t know much about cooking.”

She sighed and walked off to Pilar. “Can I help? I’ll confess, I’m inexperienced

but eager to learn.”

Pilar put her hands around Rosette’s. “You’re lucky. I’m a great teacher.” She

glanced down and saw the bloody bandage. “You’re hurt?”

“It’s nothing. Kind of embarrassing. It’s fine.” As if to expose her lie, she felt a pang. She kept a stony expression.

Pilar petted her bad arm gently. “Burn yourself cooking for your new husband?”

Rosette snickered at the thought of trying to please Philippe or anyone with

culinary skills.

The Gitana sat Rosette down and showed her the best technique to peel potatoes.

The Princess got to work for the first time in her life. It wasn’t easy. She got a couple of

scratches. Rosette had no choice but to go along. Still, pride and a desire to contribute

kept her motivated to do well.

Gloria and Evangelina moved fast as lightning compared to Rosette. When it was

time to add the potatoes to the soup Rosette was only half way done. Huffing in

annoyance Evangelina picked up a knife and peeled three potatoes as Rosette finished the

last. Then she cut them into cubes muttering it was faster to do it than show Rosette how.



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With the food simmering on the fire there was nothing to do but wait. Evangelina

and Philippe had a quiet conversation at the table. The longer they chatted the closer they

were physically as each leaned in.

Rosette sat by the fire to keep warm. It was colder every day and they were at a

higher altitude. Deep down she knew it was more than that. The toxic symptoms were

reduced by the elixir but not eradicated.

“Carine.” Hernando joined her.

“Hello Hernando.”

“I’m not the kind to meddle but Pilar demanded that I talk to you and I always do

anything that she deems worthy to demand.” He pointed subtly towards Philippe and

Evangelina. The Gitana’s arm rested on the guards back. “If that was me and another

woman, Pilar would rip her limb off and soundly beat me with it.”

“He’ll sleep in my bed.” Rosette figured that sounded confident.

“Very well. But it would do him good if you told him your feelings on the matter

before nodding off. He’s bound to you by marriage. He’ll listen if he’s wise.” Hernando

patted her head with his large hand. “Let’s eat.”

Pilar handed two bowls to Rosette. “Give one to your husband. Tell him you

helped make it. He’ll be pleased.”

“Yes ma’am.” Rosette delivered Philippe his dinner. “I’m to let you know that I

helped cook this fantastic meal.” She batted her eyes.

“I heard you couldn’t even peel potatoes.”

Deflated she plopped down and ate her soup.

Gloria took her daughter aside before they grabbed their meal. Rosette guessed it

was to lecture Evangelina on being so amorous towards another woman’s husband.

“Did you hear about all the fights that happened last night?” Diego asked

slurping his meal.

“We heard there were a fair number.” Philippe answered.

Diego shook his head. “It was weird. Soldiers confronted these men. I’m not

sure what the guards wanted but it escalated. It looked like the guards had things under

control until one guard turned and attacked two others before they realized what

happened. Then soldiers and men were fighting randomly.”



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Leah had men in the guards other than Benoit. Who knew how many there were?

And as long as men couldn’t tell who was loyal to the King and who was loyal to Leah, it

would be impossible to organize again. The situation would grow into pandemonium

before the week was out.

“There was definitely a peculiar feel this year at the feats.” Pilar agreed and then

prompted Philippe with a cunning “So, how did you two meet?”

“It’s a dull story.” He dismissed.

“Falling in love is never boring.”

Philippe looked at Rosette. “We met in the market place. She was drinking an

ale out of a mug big enough for a lumberjack and I thought it was cute.”

Rosette remembered when he approached her. The barkeep had given her a big

stein because she tossed some coins in the tip jug.

“Then?” Pilar pressed.

“Then,” he pondered what to say, “then, I was awed by her knife throwing skills.”

“You can throw knives?” Ciriaco’s eyes bugged out impressed or disbelievingly.

“A little.” Rosette said humbly.

He tossed a blade that landed a foot from her plate. “Hit that tree.” He gestured

behind her.

Rosette intertwined her fingers and stretched out her hands for dramatic flare.

Her wrist twinged from the movement. She flipped her legs around to face the target.

Weighing the knife as she aimed she deftly hurled. It landed dead center of a knot

midway up the trunk.

The men clapped vigorously.

“That’s extraordinary.” Diego appraised. “She doesn’t cook. She throws knives.

Just who wears the pants in your relationship.”

“I do.” Philippe assured him. “She’ll learn to cook.”

“She has a long way to go.” Evangelina added disdainfully.

“Carine is doing fine.” Pilar encouraged. “And then babies. You’re children will

be adorable.”

That shut Evangelina up.



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“How many do you want?” Rosette asked Philippe humored by the misdirection

their pretense created.

He was a little green behind the gills. “Depends. Will they be as wild as you?”

“No. They’ll be as mule headed as you.” She got up but Philippe’s hand was on

her forearm.

“Where do you think you’re going? Don’t forget to clean up.”

Her angered flared. There was little she could do but comply or declare herself

the Princess. And Princess or not, she wanted to contribute. She picked up his bowl and

collected the others.

Diego roared with laughter. “You’re pushing your luck. Remember that little

lady can toss a blade when you least expect it.”

Ciriaco didn’t care for the bravado. Joaquin and Hernando shook their heads

disappointed in either Philippe’s behavior or Rosette’s. She couldn’t be sure.

Pilar and Gloria helped with the dishes while Evangelina sat with Philippe by the

fire.

“Here, I’ll do that. You don’t want to get your bandage wet.” Pilar excused her.

“Go to sleep. I’ll keep an eye on them.” Gloria offered. She was at her limits

with her daughter’s bad choices.

“I can take it off and redress it later.” Rosette said. Pilar and Gloria were

admirable women. She wanted to be accepted because she respected them. Since they

didn’t know she was the King’s daughter, the only way to do that was to be part of their

clan. Rosette removed the bandage. The skin had darkened so much she couldn’t see the

two distinct puncture points from the fangs.

“That isn’t from a burn.” Pilar diagnosed as she studied the wound. “It’s

infected.”

Gloria retrieved some salve from her wagon. “This will sting.” She cautioned.

Rosette closed her eyes and fought off the tears.

“It’s okay to cry.” Gloria massaged Rosette’s forearm to get the blood

circulating.



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Opening her eyes a couple of drops ran down her face. Rosette wiped them clear

with the heel of her hand. “Thank you.” They insisted she let them finish and she went

to bed.

Rosette drifted off to sleep. When Philippe came to bed she roused.

“Go back to sleep Princess.” He commanded.

“Why did you behave like an arrogant oaf?”

“They wouldn’t believe it if I were henpecked. It’s for a few days. You’ll

survive.”

“That isn’t the way you treat a lady.”

“It is if she isn’t a princess.”

“No one deserves to be treated badly. You wouldn’t behave like an ape if you

were married to Evangelina.” She challenged.

“I’m not married to Evangelina.” He shot back. “Go to sleep.” He pulled up his

covers and rolled away from her.

“It isn’t my fault that you’re not with Evangelina.” She said to his back.

He sat back up and got in her face. “Look Princess. This isn’t easy for me.

Going on a road trip to find an imaginary creature to cure your eminent death. It doesn’t

help that the only woman I ever imagined a future with happens to be with us and I have

to pretend to be married to a spoiled Princess.”

“Frigid. Rambunctious. Spoiled. I’ve never met anyone that thought so lowly of

me in my life.”

“No. You never met anyone that admitted it.” He got up. “I’ll sleep with the

guys.”

“Go to Evangelina. She’ll take you in.”

He left. She wanted to cry but didn’t. Her wrist throb but with the help of

Gloria’s ointment it was bearable. She curled up and slept alone.



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Royal Hissy Fit

Rosette woke up after another restless night. Philippe and the men packed up to

get an early start. Pilar gave her another pep talk on marriage over breakfast. It endeared

the old woman to her but it also fed her growing guilt for their hoax.

Evangelina steered clear of Philippe. When she strayed too close to the man she

almost married, Gloria habitually called her daughter away.

It was all very irksome. Rosette only wanted to find out if her brother and father

were safe. Playing the part of an unappreciated wife wasted her already low energy. She

was tired of self-pity and stowed her emotions below an icy exterior.

Philippe and Rosette sat in silence as they rode higher North into the mountains.

Other caravans passed on their way to the castle. Whenever they came near, Philippe

jerked Rosette’s hood low over her eyes. Each “town” had smaller and fewer buildings.

The last had three.

The caravan paused for a quick lunch. Gloria checked Rosette’s wrist. It looked

better.

The afternoon was misty but never fully formed to drizzle. The presumed

newlyweds had another long quiet stretch. At dusk they stopped and set up camp.

Everyone worked on his or her tasks. Pilar kept Rosette close and gave her aneducation on spices. Perhaps Rosette needed something trivial to focus on because she

absorbed every detail.

Dinner was stifled. Everyone knew that Philippe and Rosette had a spat and it

was awkward. Only Evangelina was happy. She sat on Philippe’s other side and ignored

the reproachful look of her parents.

“Do you miss the nomadic lifestyle?” Evangelina asked Philippe enticingly.

“It has its charms.” He acknowledged.

“Hernando says you’re parting our way in a day or two.”

“I promised my mother I would see to something urgent.” He evaded.

“Does Anabella miss her roots? Or has she been seduced by city life.”

“She’s happy wherever Dad is.”

“How’s he doing?” Joaquin asked. “Last I heard his eyesight was failing him.”



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“He isn’t completely blind. In daylight, he’s fine. Otherwise things are too

shadowy to make out.”

“What a shame.” Hernando said.

“Dad doesn’t let it ruin his life.”

“Your mother keeps him content. A good woman can do that.” Pilar added with

a wink to Rosette.

“Be honest.” Evangelina begged Philippe and Rosette. “You barely know each

other.”

Rosette stiffened. Not that she cared about Evangelina but it could lead to more

prying questions.

“They’re married.” Joaquin warned his daughter as he held his wife’s hand to

keep her from reprimanding more forcibly.

“Doesn’t mean they’ve known each other long.” Evangelina’s dark eyes fell on

Rosette. “Carine, are you pregnant?”

“No.” Rosette answered with a large dose of outrage.

Philippe stared at the jealous Gitana dumbstruck.

“You both got upset last night when we discussed kids. I haven’t seen you kiss

once in two days and you’re recently married. It’s a logical deduction that something

forced your hand.”

Philippe hung his head. Rosette waited for him to defend her honor. He did not

and that upset her more than Evangelina.

“It will never be the same as if you married for love.” Evangelina continued

spitefully.

It was too much. Rosette was tired of playing the docile submissive woman.

“Are you going to correct her erroneous assumption?” She asked Philippe pointedly.

“Carine isn’t pregnant.” He said meekly and then grabbed Rosette’s good elbow.

Walking away from the table he had a hushed conversation with her. “I’m going to tell

Evangelina the truth.”

“Why?”

“I hate lying to her.”



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“No you hate that you aren’t with her. Don’t you see she’s only interested

because she thinks she’s lost your admiration? You tell her the truth and she’ll keep you

at arm’s length again.”

“She’s my first love, a good friend and this is killing me.”

“And what will they do when they learn I’m Princess Rosette?”

“I won’t tell her. Only that we have a shared journey and we chose to travel as a

married couple to avoid raising eyebrows.”

“She’ll have questions.”

“I’ll tell her what she needs to know. That we aren’t in love.”

“You can’t trust her with the whole truth?” Rosette thought that was a telling

sign.

“After you’re home safe.”

Rosette went back to her soup that had grown cold in her absence.

“Another lover’s tiff?” Evangelina gloated.

“No.” Philippe said truthfully although no one believed him.

“Have you ever worked?” Evangelina patronized to Rosette.

Rosette looked up and Pilar gave her a don’t-take-that shake of the head.

“Your hands are so soft like you’ve been pampered your whole life.” Evangelina

over explained yet another impolite comment.

Philippe snickered knowing the truth.

Rosette limit had been reached and passed. She took the remains of her tepid

meal and poured them on Philippe’s head. “Tell her what you want. And you can have

him. I deserve better.” She stormed off.

That night Rosette didn’t expect Philippe to come to their wagon but he did.

“How’s your wrist?” He asked for the first time in over a day. “Gloria said she’s

been treating it.”

“It was rotting but she stopped it.” Rosette unwrapped the gauze. The darkness

had subsided and the puncture marks were closing without festering.

“I had a talk with Evangelina. She won’t tell the others until we go off and she’ll

be kinder.”

“Will you?” Rosette pressed.



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He got quiet. “I’ve been disrespectful. It’s rare that I don’t have a clear idea of

what action to take. I feel lost and it’s uncomfortable.” Looking at her wrist he added,

“And I’ve already done you a grave injustice.”

They settled down to sleep back to back.

“Philippe?”

“Yes Princess.”

“I’m thankful God brought you to me.”

He rolled over to look at her. “How’s that?”

Rosette rolled on her back to see him. “He brought me someone that would know

the cure and have the means to get me there. I’m confident there was a divine purpose

behind it.”

“Perhaps he brought me to you as a test of humility.”

She laughed. “I think it was to protect me.”

“He’s God after all. Perhaps he had a duel purpose in mind.” He smiled.

“Do you think I need humility?” She wondered. It could be. The Princess had

never wanted in her life.

“Not as much as I thought you might before I met you and far less than a lot of

people I have known.” He admitted. “Maybe He sent you on this journey to give you a

taste of the freedom you desperately sought your whole life.”

“Could be.” She allowed.

“Am I merely a pawn? A means to your end? Doesn’t God do things for me as

well?”

Rosette had only looked at the situation from how it benefited her. “You’re

getting a second chance with Evangelina because of me.”

“Not really.” He closed his eyes.

“Philippe?”

“What now Princess?” He opened one eye indicating that he wanted to sleep and

not talk.

“He mostly sent you to save me.” She kissed his cheek and curled up towards

him. “You may go to sleep now.”

He laughed. “Good night Princess.”



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“Philippe?”

“What?” He melodramatically groaned.

“I’m sorry for dumping my meal on you.”

“It’s forgiven.”

“Even so, you kind of smell like chicken soup.”

He put his soupy smelling arm across her shoulders. “Good night Princess.”



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Hernando’s Philosophy on Marriage

The next day Hernando showed Rosette how to hook up the teams to the wagons.

The Princess loved horses and theirs were so friendly and tame. Hernando walked her

through the process.

First he gathered the equipment. Then he brought two horses to his wagon.

Rosette took one and Hernando the other. After grooming the beasts of burden, they

attached the tack. “Not too tight.” Hernando said as she buckled around the horse’s

midsection. They put the breastplates next followed by the bridles. The Princess held the

horses as Hernando lowered the shafts. Then he explained the order of the straps and

bindings as he worked.

They moved on to the next wagon. Ciriaco and Diego were on their second

wagon as well. Rosette thought it was easier than cooking and she was glad to be of

service even if her wrist throbbed.

Unfortunately Hernando had an ulterior motive. “We use two horses even though

one can haul a wagon because they share their load. They can go faster, carry more and

need less breaks.”

“Things are better.” Rosette told him seeing through his analogy. “Philippe and I

had a good talk.”“I hope you did more than talked.”

She turned pink.

“Philippe is misbehaving because he feels he isn’t good enough for you.”

That wasn’t it. “He’s exactly what I need.”

“You tell him that but don’t let him off the hook too easily or he’ll never learn.”

“You want me to forgive Philippe but make him suffer?” Marriage sounded like a

cruel game of power plays.

“Carine, don’t listen to him.” Pilar warned her. “Follow your heart.”

Rosette hung her head. “In all fairness, Evangelina is right. We do not know

each other well and I am completely useless as a wife.”

Pilar gave her a hug. “Don’t think like that. He made his choice and he never

chooses without thinking things through. Trust him.”



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The Princess didn’t know how to get out of the conversation that only made her

feel like a sham.

Looking up at the cloudy sky Hernando said, “Get Philippe. He’s in the river

washing out the last of the chicken soup.”

When Rosette didn’t move, Pilar pushed her. “He’s your husband.”

The Princess was glad to find Philippe was already half dressed. His pants were

on as he shook out his shirt and then slipped it over his head.

“Hello Princess.” He said looking a little modest.

“We’re going now.” She couldn’t hide her smile that she caught him dressing and

that he was embarrassed.

“Did you tie up the horses?”

She nodded.

“Will they run off without the cart?”

“Hernando checked them.” She rolled her eyes. “And he gave me tips on how to

be a better wife.”

“Told you to do what I tell you without arguing.” He joked.

“No, he said I should forgive you but make it linger so you would learn. As if

you could be taught.” Then she remembered the old Gitanos comment about Philippe

doubting his worth. “Philippe, I meant what I said last night that you are the only person

that could save me.”

“Don’t you see?” His eyes were so sad. “It’s my fault you were bitten. We saw

the hole in the kitchen and I didn’t think to wonder if something dangerous had been put

in our way. I failed you and I failed the King.”

She hugged him. “I don’t see that at all. I see that I didn’t die in the woods.”

“Oh, you mean when I shouldn’t have left your side.”

“You didn’t know who I was.”

“It shouldn’t have mattered.”

“Ahem.” Evangelina interrupted.

“We’re coming.” Philippe said as he let go of Rosette.

“This isn’t what it looked like.” Rosette started to explain.

“I know.” Evangelina said icily.



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It rained all morning and their progress was hindered. The teams braved the

weather as best they could. Philippe silently stressed. Rosette wished his concern was

for her wellbeing but he had a personal investment at stake. Once he was free of his

obligation, he could pursue Evangelina.

The roads were empty that day of other travelers being so far from the castle and

so near the grand ending celebration. They passed one town that was actually quite large

but under-populated for the same reasons.

They paused to break midday. Evangelina shadowed Philippe’s every move

much to the dismay of the Gitanos. Rosette thought it was desperate. When Philippe put

his hands on her shoulders to give her a quick massage, Evangelina slipped out. She

didn’t want Philippe. She merely wanted to be wanted. Men were idiots.

At lunch Evangelina was even more apparent in her teasing. Philippe sat next to

the young Gitana who coyly moved to Diego’s side. Pilar smiled thinking Rosette’s

threat worked. Gloria was concerned. Poor Philippe was completely lost.

Rosette fed their team of horses. The affects of the poison although at bay were

resurfacing. Her eyes blurred and her hands quivered. Then they returned to normal. It

was a cruel reminder that she had a time limit. She did not let it weigh her down. Why

would God bring her this way if it were hopeless?

Evangelina snuck up behind her. “I knew you weren’t in love.” She sneered.

“Just like you’re not in love with him.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“That you’re toying with him to placate your ego.”

“Pampered and educated. How did he come to be indebted to the likes of you?”

Rosette huffed and her wound panged.

“Ladies.” Philippe said tenderly.

Evangelina ran her hand down his arm. “Why don’t we meet after everyone goes

to sleep and finish what we started last night?” She gave him a tantalizing peck on the

cheek and walked off.

The Princess rolled her eyes.

“Let her have her moment.” He begged.



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Rosette grabbed the carriage rail to haul herself up when a sharp pain hit. She

teetered on one foot.

Philippe caught her. “It’s worse than you’ve been letting on.”

“It’s hasn’t done that before.” Rosette wiggled out of his arms.

For the first time he helped her into her seat.

“What if we can’t find a dragon? I mean, assuming they exist.” He asked as they

drove.

Rosette half grunted and half laughed. “Your mother is a credible eye witness.”

“Okay, so they exist. Will we find one?”

Rosette shrugged. “It’s more important that your parents get through to Max.

Curing me is a secondary bonus.”

“Not to me. I want to be optimistic.” He admitted.

She put her hand on his. “All we can do is our best. Fate will meet us half way.”

Philippe smiled as he looked at Rosette for the first time since they left the castle.

Not that he hadn’t seen her but he hadn’t paid much notice. This was concentrated

attention. “You’re a lot like your father.”

Rosette glanced along the road. A tear fell. She was worried sick. What was

happening at home?

“He’ll be fine.” Philippe read into her silence. “He’s strong like you. And for

every spy Leah has, there are more equally devoted men and women to your father. He is

well loved. Leah has her hands full.”

As the mention of her father stirred grief so did the mention of her sister arouse

anger and guilt. “I’m not strong.” She told him.

“You fake it very well my little knife-thrower.”

“It’s because of my weakness that Leah is free to wreak havoc.”

Philippe reached over and pulled her face towards him. “It isn’t your

responsibility to control your sister. Malicious people are accountable for their own

actions.” He truly believed in her innocence. How could he be so gullible? He accepted

that falsehood and doubted dragons – which were far more plausible. He was too new to

the guards to know the history.



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“When I was ten, my sister had come of age.” She looked forward unable to face

his disappointment when he heard her contrition. “Leah demanded to be declared heir.

Max was only a few years behind her. Being male it was possible that he would be

named Royal Heir instead of her. She had a small window. So she conspired to kill the

King. I overheard the scheme and alerted my father. Knowing Leah would resort to

poison, horned asp venom to be exact, he exposed her. Leah was sentenced to death.”

“Where did she get the snakes?”

“An acquaintance of our mother that charmed them. Leah smuggled them into the

castle.” Even before Felix explained her dismal fate, Rosette knew her death was

unavoidable. Those days when Leah was in the dungeon were stressful. Rosette spent

more time in the darkness of the corridors than at any other in her life. She learned more

about her family, horned asps and legalities than she cared to.

Taking a deep breath, she confessed her darkest secret. “I couldn’t stand the

thought of Leah dying. The law called for a beheading. So I broke her out of jail if she

promised never to return.”

Philippe was stunned but not appalled. “That was very brave for a ten year old to

do. You have to forgive yourself. That was a long time ago. There was no way to know

she would return.”

Rosette scoffed at his words of atonement. If he knew the price she paid he

would understand that forgetting was impossible.

“Too soon.” He muttered when they stopped for the evening. “We’ll have

another day at least.”

“We have time.” She said not knowing how long it would take the poison to

overcome the medicine.

Hernando camped early because the next potential spot was too far. There were

less trees and more rocky terrain so high North. With the extra time the men went

fishing. They returned with a dozen trout. Philippe had caught a third of the dinner.

Pilar tried to demonstrate how to prepare the fish. Rosette couldn’t stomach

slicing the creature and hooking out its entrails. Evangelina cackled menacingly, which

only annoyed Rosette. Using the fish as an excuse, she put distance between her and the

jealous Gitana.



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“Carine.” Hernando called when he saw she wasn’t busy with women’s work.

“Come and toast your husband’s success.”

They had tapped a keg of ale. Philippe went to fetch Rosette’s drink. He looked

at her and winked as he picked up the largest mug available and filled it to the rim. “My

lady.” He bowed as he served her.

“Thank you.”

“To Philippe’s big catch and the fish.” Hernando announced. They clanked

steins and drank.

Rosette blushed. She didn’t care for Evangelina’s moody behavior but when the

others gave her support it only reminded her she was deceitful. Once she saw to her wrist

and left the Gitanos, Philippe would pass along her regrets. And when things were in

order again, if they were, she’d see that they were rewarded handsomely.

“Carine.” Philippe nudged her. “Hernando was talking to you.”

“Sorry.”

Hernando refilled her mug that was empty. Had she drank it that quickly? “It

wasn’t anything terribly important. I was extolling you for putting your foot down

yesterday.”

“It was her soup.” Philippe frowned.

“If you were testing her patience for its end, you found it.” Hernando testified.

“Marriage is hard, especially the first years. She has expectations. He’s unaware and

doesn’t meet them. She pouts and keeps it bottled up. He feels the distance grow.

That’s why God invented a natural release.”

Rosette knitted her brows trying to think what release he meant.

A pink-faced Philippe added, “He means marital relations.”

Understanding wasn’t instantaneous but it came shortly thereafter. The Princess’

face flushed. “Oh.”

The Gitano men chuckled at her innocence.

Thinking the topic was going to get more uncomfortable, she stood but Philippe

held her hand. “If I have to listen to the old man’s advice, you do.”

“You’re too proper.” Hernando’s finger wagged at her. “Society is so worried

about offending, we never do more than intimate at the very act that without, none of us



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would be here.” He stood up and at the top of his lungs declared, “Married people have

sexual intercourse.”

Pilar was there in a second.

“No, I wasn’t calling you.” Hernando chortled as he kissed her lovingly on the

mouth. “Tonight.”

“You old fool. Leave Carine alone.” Pilar took her hand. “We’re done with the

fish if you want to join the civilized folk.”

“My wife is fine here.” Philippe draped an arm over Rosette and waved Pilar

along. “If we get another lecture on bedroom etiquette, I’ll send her your way.”

Pilar took his face in both of her hands and kissed each cheek. “Since you asked,

okay.”

Another couple of mugs later, it was time to eat. Rosette prided herself on

keeping her wits about her when drinking. It was another of the rules for the royal

children to follow unquestioningly. That night, she enjoyed the dulling effects that kept

the throbs mild. She was tipsy by the time dinner was served.

Gloria sat Philippe at the end of the table. Since Rosette sat by her pretend

husband, Evangelina was unable to secure a seat next to him. She settled for second best

and sat across from Philippe constantly flashing doting looks.

After two days of chicken soup the fish was exceptionally satisfying. Rosette was

half way through her plate when Philippe had finished his. There was more but he leaned

over and started eating off her serving.

“Would you like some more?” She giggled as he inhaled a forkful.

“You’re not going to finish that Little Princess.” He slid her plate closer to him

and took another helping.

“Allow me.” She fed him. Before he could chew what he had in his mouth, she

shoveled in more.

“Stop.” He seized a third helping from coming his way and forced it to her

mouth.

It was either eat or be soiled, so she opened up and ate her fish.

Philippe wiped the corners of her mouth with his thumb. “I thought the Little

Princess didn’t want to be an indentured servant.”



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“Whatever you want master.”

His eyes smoldered at her words even though they were untruthful. He glanced at

her lips and licked his. She forgot they weren’t alone and kissed him.

“I didn’t say you could do that.” He teased and then kissed her.

Evangelina got up and left – with much noise but not a word. Gloria followed to

comfort her difficult daughter.

Philippe closed his eyes. The ale had clouded his judgment as well. “I’ll go talk

to her.”

“You’ll see to your wife, boy.” Hernando jabbed his fork at Philippe. “The men

will clean up. You lovebirds can walk it off.”

Philippe stood up and held his hand out for Rosette. They walked down to the

stream. She was cold and pulled her cloak closed.

“You’re too cold.” He accused.

“The remedy is wearing off.”

“How bad is it?”

“My vision has blurred and sometimes I’m jittery but it never lasts more than a

few seconds.” She should apologize to him for her advances. For some reason, she

didn’t want to.

He tied her cloak as he inspected her. “Is that all?”

“I was a little light headed,” she paused, “when you kissed me.”

Philippe grinned. “From me or the viper poison?” Getting only a shrugged he

moved closer. “Maybe we should conduct a proper experiment.” He kissed her and

didn’t stop. His strong hands ran up her back. His fingers spread into her hair as his

tender lips brushed down her neck. He brought his hand to her jawbone and she melted

at his most passionate affection to date.

They paused for air, forehead to forehead.

“Rosette, you are, without question, the most incredible woman I have ever met.”

“Too bad I’m frigid and spoiled.” She mockingly reminded him.

“And rambunctious. Don’t forget that one.”

She kissed him. “You are stubborn and rude and courageous and trustworthy.”



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Intruders

Pilar’s scream cracked through the night. Philippe and Rosette hurried up to the

camp. There were four armed men rounding up the Gitanos. Philippe motioned for

Rosette to stay hidden as he pulled up her hood. In the night, the dark fabric would

conceal her. He snuck around to get his weapon from their wagon.

“Is this everyone?” One bandit asked Hernando with the tip of his sword resting

threateningly by his throat. “How many are you?”

“Nine.” Evangelina answered scared that Hernando would be hurt.

“There’s only seven here. Where are the others?” He demanded.

No one answered.

Rosette lifted her skirt and drew her dagger. Her eyes betrayed her with hazy

vision.

“Very well.” The inpatient man threatened. Before he could draw blood

Rosette’s sight returned with clarity. The man fell to the ground with her dagger lodged

in the back of his neck.

Ciriaco and Diego leapt into action and fought off an assailant. Philippe burst on

the scene and struck another rogue in a blink of the eye. He went to help the brothers.

Joaquin protected the women as the last man encroached. The thief didn’t expectHernando to take the fallen man’s sword. He died never knowing what happened.

“Could there be more?” Hernando asked.

Philippe shook his head. “They weren’t well trained. Cheap mercenaries.”

“We should follow their tracks to be sure.” Diego decided and took off with

Ciriaco.

“It’s safe.” Philippe called to Rosette.

Rosette looked down at the man she killed as Philippe cleaned her blade. She

bent over and threw up. It wasn’t from the poison. She didn’t have the stomach for

brutality.

“Rosette.” Philippe gave her water and kicked dirt over her vomit. “Drink.”

“Princess Rosette?” Pilar repeated recognizing that name and to whom it

belonged. Her eyes narrowed as they reconsidered the Princess.



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Philippe was ashamed. First for revealing the Princess and second for lying to the

Gitanos who treated them like family.

“She’s the Princess?” Evangelina declared. “That’s why you are bound to this

task?” She didn’t need confirmation. “Is she why those men were here?”

“Maybe.” He wasn’t sure. He searched the bodies and found a parchment with a

likeness of Rosette.

“You haven’t been honest.” Hernando wanted the whole story and he deserved it.

Philippe gave them the full account including the need to find a fabled dragon to

cure Rosette.

“You’ll have to leave us. Thanks to you, we’re in danger.” Evangelina derided.

“How dare you put us in jeopardy for the monarchy?”

“She is our Princess. We will go with you to find the dragon.” Hernando

countered.

“Evangelina is right. If they followed us this far, there may be more.” Rosette

fretted. She was shocked hunters had searched such a remote area. If she knew that her

association would put the Gitanos in peril, she would have never joined them.

“You said Leah’s forces are small. Without a large army they have to choose

their hunters carefully. Leah has no way to suspect your majesty is in a caravan.

Considering this group had only four hired men they expect to find the Princess alone or

with few companions.”

The terror of the night killed the buzz from the ale and Rosette’s wrist ached. She

reflexively coddled it. Her eyes clouded.

“You’re valiant Little Princess.” Hernando complimented. “I owe you my life.”

“It’s because of her they were here.” Evangelina rebutted pointing to the dead

mercenaries on the ground.

“They didn’t know how many we were. They are blindly attacking anyone. Even

if Princess Rosette was missing, they would have ambushed us and we would never know

why. And we may not have escaped unscathed.”

Had other travelers been attacked? If so, were they as lucky? Remorse consumed

Rosette.



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“Why should we risk our life for her? We are second class citizens in this land.”

Evangelina challenged.

“She saved me. You may choose to forget that but I will not.” Hernando was the

leader and his decision was final.

“Let me see your wrist.” Pilar ordered. Exposing the flesh she pronounced, “It’s

healing well. Are you sure the poison will kill you?”

“I only know what I’ve been told. Maybe a strong person can survive.”

“A dragon? We need to find a dragon.”

“It could be a dead end.” Philippe’s already dismal outlook dimmed.

“There are such creatures.” Pilar rose and turned to her husband. “It will be

faster without the wagons. I’ll take Princess Rosette in the morning to find a dragon. We

aren’t far.”

“Please, Rosette. No need for formality.” The Princess allowed. She worked

hard to be part of their troop and she didn’t want to be sidelined by her royalty.

Pilar’s bony hand ran along her face. “You’re running a fever. The poison isn’t

gone.”

Philippe paled. “We’ll go at the break of dawn.”



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Brave Princess Never Cries

The Gitanos divvied up shifts to keep vigilant from ambush. Only Philippe,

Rosette and Pilar were excluded so they could rest for their hard ride the next morning.

Rosette’s power was quickly depleting. The medicine had run it’s course and

without another dose, the poison had nothing in its way to erode her health.

Philippe had to lift her into the wagon. He helped her out of her outer garments.

First he removed her skirt and she remembered when he put the dagger on her thigh. She

may die in a day or two and she never took advantage of her situation. He lifted her

blouse over her head. Exhausted and wearing nothing but her linens she practically fell

on him.

He kissed her but it wasn’t like the ones by the creek. It was a hopeless kiss of

giving up on a potential that would never be met. His hand caressed her neck and down

her upper back and stopped.

Turning her around his fingers traced a large scar. She wished he hadn’t seen

that. He lifted her shirttail to find the end of the mark. There were many more scars on

the small of her back.

“What is this?” There was withheld anger in his tone.

“My punishment,” Rosette pivoted to look him in the eye, “when I freed Leah.”“They whipped you? Thirty times?” He guessed as he touched the multitude of

marks. “You couldn’t have been much older than ten.”

“That’s why I got off with a lashing. If I had been older, fifteen even, they would

have killed me in her place.”

“How could King Aldric permit this?”

“The high mark, the one you saw first, was from him. Being a member of the

Royal Family only another member can administer the sentence. He broke down after

the first and refused. So my mother stepped in and finished. Because I cried, she kept

striking me until I stopped.”

“How many times did she whip you?”

“I don’t know. I stopped crying because I passed out nearly dead. I spent two

months convalescing in my quarters. Maximilien will be crowned King after father and



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I’m third in line but if either of us have children, they will have a coronation before me.

My act of treason has all but removed me from the Royal Family.”

She reclined in her humble hard bed. Philippe extinguished the lantern and curled

up next to her. He ran his hand under her blouse and kept it on her lower back.

“We’ll find the dragon.” Philippe vowed. “Then we’ll gather forces and correct

the injustice at the castle.”

“Do you think my father is alive?”

He nodded. “He’s as strong-willed as you, isn’t he? If God brought people to

you, He will do the same for him.”

Rosette smiled and then cried. She cried until her eyes were powder from lack of

moisture. After that she cried arid tears of dust. Philippe didn’t let go of her. Eventually

she fell asleep or passed out.



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Eye for an Eye

It was the first night Rosette slept without nightmares. Regardless, she wasn’t

refreshed. When Philippe woke her it was still dark out.

He dressed her and then himself.

They found Pilar standing with Hernando and three horses. “These are the fastest

of the lot.”

Philippe sat Rosette in her saddle, placed a foot snuggly in each stirrup and gave

her the reigns. “Can you ride?”

She nodded too weak to answer or admit that she wasn’t sure.

“You’ll have to double up.” Pilar decided as she pranced her stead in circles.

“Take that one. He’s so large he won’t mind the extra weight.”

Philippe moved Rosette to the larger horse and climbed on behind her. Hernando

mounted the horse vacated by Rosette. Without a word, he invited himself along. Pilar

lead the way.

Chilled from the poison on the inside and from the freezing air on the outside,

Rosette was sure she would die from the elements before the venom could do her in. A

weak part of her wished she would.

They rode at top speed for two excruciating hours. Philippe spoke soft words of hope. When they slowed they were in a rocky land covered in patchy snow. Not even a

blade of grass.

“How do we call one?” Philippe asked as if he never doubted their existence.

“We don’t. They come to us.” Pilar answered confidently.

“There’s no time.”

Pilar glanced at Princess Rosette.

Suddenly Philippe’s stead reared on its hind legs nearly knocking both riders.

The other mares were equally disturbed.

“Go.” Hernando commanded. “I’ll stay with the horses or they’ll run off without

us.”

Philippe dismounted and carried Rosette in his arms. Every direction looked the

same.



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“That way.” Pilar suggested.

Rosette peaked further up the mountain where occasional columns of mist circled

upward.

Philippe trudged through the snow, uphill, holding Rosette. Pilar kept at their

side. The closer they got to mist the less dense it looked.

By the time Rosette could see the pillars were a mixture of mist and smoke, an

ethereal voice spoke in her head. At first she thought death had finally come to claim

her.

“Little Princess.” The throaty woman’s voice called. “You’ve come a long way.”

“Did you hear that?” Philippe asked.

“Brave Philippe, bring Little Princess to me.”

“Where are you?”

A blast of fire shot out and uncovered an entrance to a cave yards away.

Once inside, Rosette felt warm. Philippe rested her against the wall and walked

forward.

“Bring Little Princess.” The voice requested.

“How do we know you won’t hurt us?” Philippe asked.

“I don’t eat Gitano.”

Rosette giggled.

“She’s delusional.” Pilar worried.

“Rosette isn’t Gitano.” Philippe figured they had no choice but he didn’t like the

answer.

“I don’t eat royalty either. Little Princess, come and make your plea.”

Rosette rose on her wobbly feet and stumbled forward. Past the opening the cave

widened into a massive cavern. It was even warmer. She pulled at the ties on her cloak

and let it fall to the floor. Philippe and Pilar removed their heavy cover-ups as well.

The space looked empty until a pile of grey rocks walked forward. The dragon’s

skin blended almost perfectly to the background. It was virtually invisible. Slowly the

form solidified into a snaky monster with legs as thick as tree trunks and a reptilian head.

The last body part to be seen was two enormous feathered wings.



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First the dragon stretched its neck, then its back, then its tail and finally stood on

hind legs to spread out the wings. She wasn’t much taller than Philippe when standing on

all fours. On her haunches she was about eight feet tall with about six feet of broad tail.

Her eyes were large with elongated pupils. She resembled a cross between a lizard and a

newt.

“We meet at last Little Princess.” She said benevolently as she continued to

materialize into a blue creature covered in soft scales.

“Hello. And what do I call you?” Rosette asked without fear.

“Gisele. I don’t have a name in your language but I have always liked the sound

of Gisele.”

“Hello Gisele. These are my friends.”

“Wise Pilar and Brave Philippe.” Gisele acknowledged without introduction.

“How do you know us?” Philippe asked.

“I hear your minds. I knew you would come. I knew you would come centuries

ago. I’ve waited long for this day. I do not foresee a more fortuitous day again in my

life.” Somehow this creature knew them, probably watched them in her mind’s eye all

their lives.

“Then you know why I am here.” Rosette stated.

“I do. But it would be nice if you formally inquired.”

“I’m dying from snake venom and I’m told dragon’s blood can cure me.”

“It can.”

“Will you give me some?” Rosette swayed and Philippe supported her.

“I will but first I need to warn you that there are consequences, they have great

benefits but at times can be liabilities.”

“She’ll die without it.” Philippe interrupted.

“Brave Philippe. So passionate. So loyal.” Gisele stated. “It is best to illuminate

before we make the exchange.”

Rosette had a few coins on her. Gisele could have them all but she wondered if

the dragon would need more. Perhaps it had something else in mind for an exchange.

“I do not need gold.” Gisele explained. “First, when you take dragon’s blood you

will never be the same again. You will be connected to an ancient mystic collective that



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will fundamentally change how you see the world. Well, maybe not your outlook on life

but you will feel more deeply than you are currently comfortable with feeling. Your

emotions may be hard to contain until you acclimate.”

“What are these riddles?” Philippe interjected again. “Can we get on with it?”

“Patience Brave Philippe.” Gisele dismissed. “Second, we will be more closely

connected than we were before. That is to say, you will feel my aura even at the farthest

point on the planet. You always have but you will know what it is. Because we will

make this exchange, it has always been there. Time is an illusion to humans and this

action has already impacted your past and your future. Once you drink my blood, it will

be apparent to you.”

Gisele smiled at Philippe before he could interfere again, “One more Brave

Philippe and then we will be through with the disclaimers. The last warning is that I

cannot give you my blood freely without some of yours in return. Nature requires a

balance.”

“She’ll die.” Philippe blurted out. “She can’t even stand now.”

“She will not die Brave Loyal Philippe. Little Princess, do you agree to these

terms.”

Rosette nodded and reached for her dagger.

“Not that dirty old blade.” Gisele shook her massive head. “Allow me.” She

reached over with one talon extended. “Do you have anything to capture the blood?”

Pilar pulled out two steins. “Will these do?”

“Yes, Wise Pilar.” Gisele cut a long gash down Rosette’s left arm, the same that

was bitten.

Rosette winced but only from the appearance of pain. The claw cut neatly and

blood spilled out into the waiting mug.

Giselle poked the pad of her other paw with the same talon. She let the blood drip

into her empty mug. Once it was full, her paw closed up looking fresh as new.

Pilar placed Rosette’s blood on a flat rock by Gisele and took the other in return.

The dragon swallowed the blood, stein and all.



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Philippe held the dragon’s blood to Rosette’s chapped lips. She sipped and was

surprised that it didn’t taste salty and metallic as human blood did. It was sweet and

thick, like honey. Almost too syrupy to enjoy.

Pilar held Rosette’s cut arm in her lap ready to bandage the wound. As the blood

trickled down her throat Rosette felt an electrical sensation throughout her body, most

noticeably in her arm. She kept drinking as the gash sealed shut without a mark. Even

the white round fang holes vanished.

Rosette stood up feeling more invigorated than ever. Even as a child she never

had so much energy coursing through her body. “It worked.”

“You knew it would.” The dragon accused. “You wouldn’t have come so far

when your family was in uncertain circumstances if you didn’t think it would work. You

are useful again to unite in defending your kingdom. Deep down, you always believed,

even when your rationale told you that you did not. Unlike Brave Philippe who only

embraced belief because he couldn’t accept failure. Still he came with you.”

Pilar walked up to Gisele. “Thank you Kind Dragon.” She put her hand on

Gisele’s snout.

Gisele hummed and a puff of smoke billowed out. She nuzzled Pilar. “Wise

Pilar. It has been many years since we last met.”

“I never miss you. I feel you always but seeing you makes my heart more joyous

than I can imagine.”

“This isn’t the last time we’ll meet.” Gisele promised. “We will not go so long

until the next visit. It is forbidden for me to say more but trust my words.”

“I do Kind Gisele.”

“If only we had more time but not today. Little Princess, go to your family.”

“What of my brother? Do you know if he got word of the situation?”

“I cannot say.” Gisele demurred.

Rosette didn’t want to leave. She felt connected in a profound way. The dragon’s

blood was making the described changes as it seeped through her body. Following

Pilar’s example she put her hand on Gisele’s nose. It was surprisingly cool to the touch

and smooth as polished marble. Gisele ran her head gently into Rosette’s person.

“Little Princess, be strong and trust those that deserve to be trusted.”



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Philippe patted the dragon last and most hesitantly.

“Brave Philippe, trust yourself. You are a great man and deserving.”

Philippe took Rosette’s hand and they gathered their cloaks. Rosette expected to

feel the sudden chill once outside the dragon’s kiln but the warmth remained as did the

sensation that Rosette was still touching Gisele’s cool flawless flesh. Hernando had a

hard time keeping the horses calm so close to a large predator and had moved down the

hill.

Rosette tenderly moved Philippe’s hand aside and mounted without his help.

“Looks like Rosette got what she needed.” Hernando kissed his wife. “Did you

see your old friend? Was it the same dragon that healed you?”

“Gisele looks well. Bigger if that’s possible.” Pilar got on her horse and Rosette

understood how a woman in her sixties could be so spry. The dragon’s blood never fully

left her.



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On the Road Again

The dragon’s blood continued altering Rosette even as she sat in the saddle

snuggly in Philippe’s strong arms. Every little sensation felt exaggerated. Leaning back

into Philippe she enjoyed the moment.

“Now we should go find your brother.” Philippe said.

Rosette’s senses were so strong his warm breath felt like a gentle caress.

“I agree.” She said as dread set in. It was disorientating to switch from bliss to

worry so quickly. The dragon’s caution about acclimating echoed in her mind.

Her thoughts wondered to her father. Leah commented that he was instrumental

for a week. Did her timing coincide with the ending ceremony of the festival? Why?

Did she plan to cause mayhem in the crowd? Would more support for Leah’s ill-gotten

cause come hidden in the masses?

At camp the others were preparing lunch.

Joaquin saw them first. “That was quick?”

“It worked.” Gloria praised seeing Rosette leap off the horse.

As a group, they decided to return to the castle for the closing ceremonies. The

wagons would camp at a distance. Philippe and Rosette were to take two horses and head

in the direction of Maximilien’s troops.Philippe took Evangelina aside to give her a personal farewell. Rosette was

surprised to realize she was jealous. Oddly enough, she was also cheerful for him to have

a chance at a happy life with his first love.

“Evangelina is taking this hard.” Gloria said to Rosette. “When she accepted

Philippe’s proposal with the provision they would travel rather than settle in town, she

never imagined he wouldn’t oblige.”

“Well, he’ll do whatever she asks now. The question is will she give him a

second chance.”

Gloria’s face was perplexed. “She wants to try again. He doesn’t. Not yet

anyway.”

“Philippe had a heart to heart with Evangelina two nights ago.” Rosette informed

Gloria. “He told her we weren’t married and he didn’t love me.”



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“No. He told her that you didn’t love him.”

“At the time he was not making himself loveable.” Rosette joked thinking he

only angled it that way to keep Rosette from appearing like an undesirable woman.

Gloria sat Rosette on her wagon’s back steps. They were shoulder to shoulder.

“Rosette, Philippe told Evangelina he was confused and even though you don’t have

feelings for him, he needs to sort through his for you before he could consider another

woman.”

“I don’t know why you think that…”

“Because that is what Evangelina said last night, in tears.”

“Admittedly, he’s been very sweet after she brushed him aside but he was a beast

to me the first couple of days.” Rosette remembered how he fluctuated between barely

noticing her and mild hostility.

Gloria sighed. “He did the same thing to Evangelina when they parted company.

He pushed her away to ease his pain. Philippe was scared to care about you anymore

than he already did in case you didn’t survive. When a man like Philippe says he’s

confused it means one thing – that he doesn’t want to acknowledge he loves someone.”

The revelation stirred so many contrary emotions that Rosette felt numb overall.

A nebulous form of blended feelings pulsed inside her core unable to react. There was

fear, hope, sadness, happiness, duty, want, disbelief and confidence.

Philippe walked up. “We’re ready.”

Rosette hugged the people that had welcomed her as one of their kin. She would

miss them.

Pilar and Hernando gave her big kisses on her cheeks.

Philippe and Rosette mounted their horses. They went swiftly. Slower than their

run to the dragon’s lair but faster than the wagons. Instead of taking the road, they kept

to the river. It lead further east closer to where they hoped to find Max.

They pitched a tent and ate dried meat for dinner. Philippe didn’t want a fire

giving their position away so they huddled under blankets doing their best to brave the

cold weather.

“Did you tell Evangelina that you would see her soon?” Rosette asked.



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“If all goes well, they’ll stay near town and visit with my parents after the festival

ends.” He said suspicious of the topic.

“Do you love her?”

He pondered her question or more precisely what prompted it. “What did Gloria

tell you?” He glanced at her and decided he knew. “Never mind.”

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense does it? After all the fights you picked and mean

things you said. When you stormed out the first night to find other arrangements, I half

suspected you were with Evangelina.”

“I slept in the cab of our wagon where I could watch over you through the

window.” He sprawled out to sleep. “King Aldric gave me a direct order to protect you.”

Rosette scooted back and arranged her bedding as best she could on the hard

ground. She curled up and turned from Philippe. His arm swung over hers sharing his

blanket and adding to her padding.

Philippe woke her at first light. They set off again pretending they never had an

awkward conversation.

After six hours of riding with few rests Rosette was sore and hungry. “Can we

stop?”

Philippe halted. His horse paced around. “Sure.” He finally agreed and

dismounted.

Rosette got the food and Philippe filled canteens with creek water. They sat on

rocks.

“Did you really approach me because of the oversized ale?” She asked.

He smirked. “That was part of it.”

She blushed.

“And your smile.”

Finally one emotion stood out. Rosette was enamored. It lasted for almost a

minute, up to the moment that a sword appeared pointed at Philippe’s chest.

“State your purpose.” A man demanded with two others flanking him.

Philippe’s eyes slowly rolled upward and he grinned. Shoving the metal tip away

he embraced his confronter. “Victor.”



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“I wondered when we’d see you.” Victor kept an arm around Philippe and turned

to his comrades. “This is my cousin Philippe. So that makes you Princess Rosette.” He

bowed.

“Hello.” She said trying to recall where she heard of Victor. Then she

remembered Felix mentioned him when she was being treated for the snakebite. “Are

you with Max?”

“We don’t call him Max. Come, I’ll take you to him.” He laughed. “Do you

mind finishing without me?”

“We’re almost due back.” One guard reminded him.

“Finish. We need to eat.” Philippe allowed. Technically, he outranked them.

The guards left.

“If you knew I was with Philippe, did Felix and Anabella see Max?” Rosette

asked for validation.

“They are at the camp as well.”

“Still?” Philippe said.

“Prince Maximilien didn’t want them going home before someone checked.

When we did we found their cottage burnt to the ground. Apparently Leah thinks your

not on her side.”

“I’m sorry.” Rosette put her hand on Philippe’s arm and he held it.

“We can rebuild.” Philippe regretted the lose but saw what really mattered was

his parents were safe. That was one up on Rosette.

“Sure we can.” Victor echoed.

After they ate and their horses were rested, they made way to Maximilien.



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Prince Maximilien

It was another four hours to the camp. As soon as they reached the peak of a

valley, Rosette saw the landscape was peppered with tents. They corralled the horses and

Victor’s crew navigated to headquarters.

Maximilien stood by a tent pole under a canopy talking to some of his men. It

had been two years since he left on his goodwill mission around the country. From

behind, he looked larger, more like a man.

Holding her finger to her lips, Rosette pulled her dagger and flung it. It hit its

mark just off to the right of Maximilien’s ear and stuck in the wood support.

The Prince’s head fell back with laughter. “Either you’re getting better or you

were trying to kill me.”

“Wrong sister.” She ran up to him and he spun her around. His face was more

adult as well. Lined but regal.

“Do you know how good it is to see you?” He grabbed her wrist, then her other.

Both were healthy. “I heard you were hurt.”

“You get hurt. You heal. Life goes on.” She didn’t want to mention a dragon in

front of the troops. “How’s Father?”

“From what we know, alive.” He scrutinized her escort. “Are you Philippe?”Philippe bowed. “At your service your highness.”

“Thank you for seeing to my sister. I’ll take care of Rose now. You’re at liberty

to join our men in any capacity.”

“I’d like to remain on Princess Rosette’s guard.”

“That is also an option.” Maximilien admitted noncommittally. “Excuse us.” He

led Rosette into his tent.

“You disapprove of Philippe.” She charged. “He saved my life.”

“Yes, yes. I’m sure he’s the dashing hero, but he hasn’t been with me. In two

years, these men have worked with me. Not one new recruits. We believe Leah started

implanting people as long as five years ago, so even my camp has spies. Hopefully after

two years of comradeship they aren’t loyal to her but it’s possible. Taking Philippe,



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whom I just met and has only been a guard this last year, is the most trust he will get

from me. I could kick him out or lock him up.”

“I can vouch for him.”

“Which is why he can stay. For now on Rose, you will be under closer watch.

Given the circumstances, I expect you not to run off.”

“Of course I won’t. Do you have a plan?”

It pleased him that she moved off the topic of Philippe. “We know Leah’s

sources are scarce but she has utilized them well. All levels have been infiltrated. I can’t

believe that any here are plants but I’m not taking that chance. If we need to fight, we

will have the numbers ready and I secured them outside of the usual channels. She can’t

hold the throne. Our only problem now is getting Father and keeping casualties to a

minimum.”

“What is Leah’s plan?”

“To have Father declare her next successor at the Millennium ending ceremony.”

“That’s insane. She will be overthrown immediately.”

“Since we are both alive, yes.” He agreed. “Now tell me, where have you been?

Did you really find a dragon?”

Rosette told him about her escape from the opening festivities, the snake, the

journey North and the remedy. The Prince listened attentively.

“Weren’t you frightened it might eat you?”

She shook her head. “It did cross Philippe’s mind but not mine.”

“Was the lair covered in carcasses and skeletal remains?”

“Gisele eats the whole animal. No remains.” She answered wondering how she

knew. It had been a day and yet a part of her still felt like she was in the cave chatting

with Gisele about how they were destined to meet.

“Maybe Philippe can be on your guard detail. I heard some worrisome

information about him but it sounds unfounded.” Maximilien rethought without

conviction.

“What did you hear?” She wanted to dissolve his doubts.

“That Benoit recruited him.”



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That was worrisome. She remembered Philippe had waited for Benoit after her

father took him aside to give him the details of finding Rosette. Philippe had declined the

mission. If he were involved with Benoit he would have accepted. It wouldn’t satisfy

Maximilien’s concerns and hers hadn’t been shaken by the revelation so she opted not to

mention it.

Maximilien interrupted her moment of reflection. “You need some food and rest.

We only have a day before closing ceremony and as impractical as Leah’s intentions are,

she will not keep Dad alive long after that.”



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Late Night Rendezvous

Rosette and Philippe ate with Maximilien. He grilled Philippe on every detail of

their expedition. It was exhausting to watch and Rosette figured Philippe was onto the

fact that Maximilien doubted him.

“And how far did you carry out this charade that you were a married couple?”

Maximilien didn’t do a good job of withholding his harsh judgment.

“Max! I was too sick to do anything like that.”

“I regretted the circumstances but we needed to keep a low profile.” Philippe

answered.

“You should be thankful for the circumstances. Without them you could be

tossed in the dungeon.” The Prince threatened. “Rosette is betrothed to Prince Antonio.

They will marry next year.”

Rosette glared at her brother. “Last letter you sent said you would discuss it with

Father on my behalf.”

“Let’s talk about something else.” Maximilien magnanimously offered having

done the damage.

Victor entered. “Sir, did you need me to escort your sister to her tent?”

“No, you can take your cousin to see his parents. Take some time with them if you wish. I have a unit for Rose.”

Victor led Philippe to see his parents. Four other guards walked Rosette to a tent

that had been added since their arrival that was pitched next to Maximilien’s. Two were

stationed at the door at all times.

Annoyed that her brother was being so distrusting of Philippe, she also

understood why. Even a few stray soldiers could do a lot of damage at the right moment.

The foursome he assigned to her had known the Prince for years.

When she saw the elaborate makeshift bed, she forgave all and fell back. She had

been out of the lap of luxury too long.

Rosette started to nod off but decided to clean up and put on fresh clothes.

Feeling more like a Princess than she had in days, she curled up. Her empty bed brought

memories of Philippe.



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After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to sleep, she dressed. She promised not to

run off. It didn’t count if she wasn’t going to leave the camp. Cutting an exit at the back

of the tent, she pulled up her hood and crawled out.

She had a general idea where Philippe and his family were. Seeing a smaller tent,

she assumed it was theirs. The larger housed many soldiers. A family of three wouldn’t

need as much room.

Rosette casually strolled closer pulling her hood up and trying to look as

substantial as a man. Soldiers were everywhere being that they were on high caution.

She waited for a moment to approach with little notice. Finally it came.

“Hello.” She said quietly hoping it was the right place.

Philippe appeared instantly and pulled her inside. “I hoped to see you tonight.”

His eyes sparkled.

Anabella and Felix gave her big hugs. “We’re so glad to hear of your recovery.”

“I’m sorry about your home. We’ll see that it is replaced.” She vowed.

“Come, sit.” Anabella treated her like a guest.

They gathered on the floor around the small hearth.

“I’ve been telling them about our adventure.” Philippe told her. “Where was I?”

“Rosette had dumped soup on you.” Felix grinned.

Rosette blushed. “The poison made me cranky.”

“And he wasn’t helping.”

Philippe picked up on the next day where they were ambushed. He didn’t

mention their flirtations.

“Rose.” Maximilien had found her. “You weren’t to run off.”

“Max.” She stood nervously. “I wanted to thank Felix and Anabella.”

“And have you?”

“She has.” Anabella answered.

Maximilien opted to keep things drama free. “When you’re done here, someone

will escort you to your tent.”

“I’ll see she gets there.” Philippe promised.

“No need. A guard will wait for Rose. Good night.” Maximilien told him and

left.



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Philippe’s head tilted as he listened carefully. “He doesn’t trust me.”

“Max let me stay.”

Philippe snorted. “Let you and eight guards stay. We’re surrounded.”

“He’s worse than father.” Rosette fretted annoyed and yet feeling loved.

“Let it slide.” Felix said. “He already lost you once this week.”

Thirty minutes later Victor stopped by to see if Rosette was ready to return to her

tent. Philippe asked for a few more minutes.

His parents busied themselves as Philippe pulled Rosette aside. He held her face

and looked lovingly at her. “This may be the closest we ever get to being alone again.”

She kissed his cheek sweetly but sorrowfully knowing his words were true. “I’ll

never forget you.”

“And I won’t forget you Little Princess.” He kissed her and saw her to Victor.

“I’ll come by for breakfast.” Rosette promised.

“You and twelve soldiers.” Philippe joked. “Good night.” He gave her a chaste

peck on the forehead.

“He’s very taken by you.” Victor commented as he took her through the camp.

Rosette smiled. “He’s a good man. Sounds like it runs in the family.”

Victor stiffened at her comment. It made him uncomfortable. The dragon’s

blood made even a small observation obvious.

She saw they were circumventing the tents along the edge of the camp. “Why are

we going this way?”

“To avoid prying eyes.” He answered. “The Prince regrets not keeping your

identity a secret. It’s spread through the camp that you are here. Leah has probably

learned.”

“How do you have a fair battle when you can’t tell who is truly loyal to your

cause.”

“It’s difficult. If anyone can accomplish it, it’s Prince Maximilien.”

The round about way was much longer. “Felix said you’re expecting your first

child.”

“Margarite is due in seven months.”

“I’d like to meet her.”



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Again he tensed and she worried. Now they were well past any tents.

“Where are we going?” She stopped walking.

“Not much further.” He reached for her hand.

When she snapped hers away he pulled his sword.

“They have Margarite.” He confessed. “They’ll kill her.”

“Victor, you have to tell Max and Philippe. They’ll know what to do.”

“It’s too late for that.” Benoit stepped forward and bowed. “At your service,

Little Princess.”

Rosette screamed but his hand was over her mouth before more than a squeak

escaped. She kicked and fought him. Six men were with him.

“Settle down. I don’t want to cut you.” Benoit pleaded.

She shoved her arm in his side and scrambled up the hill. A blunt knock hit her

skull and she blacked out.



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Sister, Sister

Rosette’s arm floated over the silk sheets. Automatically she felt for a pillow and

pulled it under her head. The fabric was cool.

“Rose.” Leah whispered. “Wake up Rose.”

Rosette bolted up. She was in her sister’s old room at the castle. Glancing around

she saw an enormous bureau covering the one secret exit. The same secret exit that was

Leah’s salvation over ten years ago.

Leah walked to the bulky furniture. “You could probably move it but the racket

would be heard by the guards.” Rosette guessed Leah put her in that room because she

couldn’t find the secret door in Rosette’s.

Sitting on the bed Leah reached to her sister.

Rosette shoved her hand away.

“I wanted to see how the bump is.”

Rosette felt for herself. There was no bump. The room was bright. The sun was

up. She had been out for hours.

“No warm welcome for your big sis? After all, you saved my life.” Leah held

her arms wide for a hug. Her tone hardened. “But then, I’m not sure if you weren’t the

reason my plan was uncovered before it was executed. Could have saved us all a lot of grief if I hadn’t been caught.”

“Where’s Dad?” Rosette’s voice cracked from disuse.

Leah poured a goblet of water and handed it to her younger sister. Rosette didn’t

take it.

“It’s not poisoned, if that’s what you think? Why would you think I would poison

you?”

“You favor poison – too cowardly to challenge someone properly.”

Leah’s hand slapped Rosette’s face. Then Leah caressed it. “Be nice.” She held

out the water but Rosette didn’t trust it. Rolling her eyes Leah took a sip and offered the

cup to Rosette.

She accepted and almost drank when she heard Gisele’s voice. “Don’t drink

Little Princess.” Not letting the liquid touch her lips she faked a sip.



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“More.” Leah insisted.

“I’m fine.” Rosette held the cup with both hands.

“Looks like Daddy went to town on your back.” Leah brushed Rosette’s hair

behind her shoulder. “I heard he didn’t do it but those scars are nasty.”

Rosette felt her clothes. She was in linens. Someone had undressed her.

“And I thought you were Daddy’s Little Princess.” Leah almost sang the words.

Then her voice turned gruff. “I bet they had to pry him off you before he killed you.”

Rosette huffed. “Mother did that.”

“Mother?”

“Said Dad was too weak when he refused to continue after one lashing.”

Leah rose and fidgeted with her hands.

“You were right about one thing.” Rosette continued intrigued by the reaction.

“She almost killed me. Can’t say if they pried her off being that I was unconscious – for

days.”

Leah eyes flared and Rosette expected another physical rebuke. Taking a few

deep breaths Leah resumed her composure. “Mother. Do you know how she died?”

Rosette shook her head. When she woke up from her lashing, her father said her

mother wouldn’t be back. At the time she was glad. As she grew up, she understood the

Queen had passed away but never sought answers to how.

“Daddy had her killed.”

“Liar.”

That time Leah didn’t bother with self-control. The blow was so strong Rosette

fell to the bed and cradled her face. Her water spilt on the floor.

Leah was on her knees. “That was the last of it and it’s ruined.” She screamed

desperately trying to puddle the water. Glaring at Rosette she sighed and flipped back to

the kinder version of herself. “Sorry Rose.” Leah ran to the bed to see the pain she had

inflicted. “And you drank enough.”

Rosette pushed her away.

“You didn’t drink any.” Leah accused.

“I’m not dead.” Rosette defied.



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“I wouldn’t kill you.” A derisive laugh fluttered out of Leah’s twisted mouth.

“And I didn’t try to kill Daddy alone. Actually, it was Mother’s idea. She saw a glorious

future where women dominated over men. We’re smarter you know.”

“Some women, maybe.”

Leah pulled back her arm ready to strike again. Her eyes casually glanced up to

her hand – almost surprised to see it there. As if her hand was ashamed of being caught

by her, it lowered. She walked to look out the window.

“I’ll let that insolence pass.” Leah said genially. “Mother wanted me to be

Queen. After all I am the oldest. But Daddy wanted Max.” She grunted. “Even your

name was on his list before mine.” She spun on her heals to face her sister, an evil

expression flashed. “You were only ten and he thought you were more worthy than me!”

Benoit burst in hearing the uproar. He looked at Rosette still huddled on the bed

protecting herself from another of Leah’s tantrums. “You majesty.” He bowed to Leah.

“What do you want?” She snapped using neither her sweet nor malicious voice.

“King Aldric waits for you.”

Leah raised her chin proudly. “Thank you. That is all.”

He left.

Leah pulled out a dress from the bureau. “Blue always looked nice with your

eyes.” She complimented holding Rosette’s chin as she appraised her little sister for the

first time in a decade. “You don’t want Daddy to be disappointed. He’s been dying to

see you all week.”

As Rosette changed the deranged Leah continued her bizarre narrative. “Whoever

discovered my plan didn’t realize I was a pawn. I heard Mother tried to have Daddy

dethroned.” Leah glanced at Rosette considering what she learned. “Perhaps she used

his inability to administer punishment as evidence he was unfit. Whatever it was, an

investigation was launched and they learned the poison came from snakes Mother had

brought into the castle. She didn’t go willingly. I heard she was killed trying to flee the

country.” Her wicked voice returned with an eerie sense of awe. “She did kill a dozen

men before they got her.”



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Rosette was changed and stared vapidly at her incredulous sister. That was

unfair. There were a lot of facts in her recounting of the past but it was twisted and

perverted.

“Well, let’s go see Daddy, shall we?” Leah clapped her hands and bounced on

the balls of her feet. Rosette got an eerie flashback to one of her sister’s party. Leah

behaved the same way before she opened her presents.



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Queen Crazy

Benoit and two armed guards followed behind Leah and Rosette as they walked

through the castle halls. Rosette’s home never felt so alien.

Rosette thought about her sister’s strange mood swings. Leah had always been

ambitious and cold hearted but very clever. Had exposure and exile drove her to

madness? And what kind of evil was breed from intelligence and insanity?

Leah practically skipped. “It’s like old times.” She mused. “You use to follow

me where ever I went. Do you remember that?”

Rosette nodded. The ten-year-old Rosette thought the world of her sister until

that dreadful discovery.

“Isn’t this grand?” Leah paused to pick up Rosette’s hands like they were still

close. “I’ll name you successor when I’m Queen.”

Rosette gave a contorted smile.

Queen Crazy led her sister by the hand. “We’ll be the founding mothers of the

new world order. An order with women on top. Really we’re setting things straight. I

mean, men can’t create life can they?”

Rosette didn’t think Leah could produce life either – at least not without the help

of some important man parts to start the process.Leah was excited. “Queen Leah and Princess Rosette. Or do you prefer the term

Little Princess?”

Rosette shrugged not having a preference on her name but despising the idea of

Queen Leah.

“Little Princess always sounded demeaning if you ask me. Another fine example

of being held back by the weaker sex.”

Rosette glanced at Benoit to see his reaction. His grimace told her it annoyed him

but he wasn’t worried about female domination.

“Here we are.” Queen Crazy announced when they reached the dinning room.

“Wait here and I’ll announce you.” She went to the double doors.

Rosette glared at Benoit. “We do hang anyone who conspires to commit treason.”

She educated.



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Benoit returned her glare wanting to say something but he held his tongue.

“He kills whoever he wants when he wants.” A guard threatened in his defense.

Leah stepped out and waved Rosette closer. Marching her sister into the dinning

room holding both shoulders she made her grand presentation. “Ta-da! I told you I had a

surprise for you.”

King Aldric’s hands were chained and he kneeled on the hard stone floor. He

wept when he saw his Little Princess. Rosette wanted to run to him but Benoit held her

elbow.

“Now, now, if we weren’t allowed to cry, you can’t.” With a motion of Leah’s

head one of the two brutes behind the King thumped the back of his head. “I thought you

would be happy to see Rose.”

Not caring if she’d be disciplined, Rosette ran up to her father. She hugged and

kissed him. Trembling from fear and anger she tried to help him up but his knees were

sore. How long had he been there?

“Get him.” Leah’s voice had switched to its wicked self. “We need to eat.”

The men grabbed the King by his arms and sat him at a table setting. He rubbed

his stiff legs.

Rosette turned on Queen Crazy, “How can you treat our father like this?”

“He’s only our father for a few more hours, then he’s our ancestor.”

“You’re insane.”

That time when Leah moved to strike Rosette swung first. Leah fell on all fours.

Benoit got her to her feet. The other guards held Rosette as she struggled to finish what

she started. Leah approached her sister with measured steps. The expression on her face

was that of Queen Crazy.

Shutting her eyes Rosette rallied her strength for impact. Instead of a fleshy hit,

cold steal shot straight into her thigh. Her leg gave.

“Give her something to bind the wound.” The kinder Leah told Benoit as if it

were obvious. “Little Princess has more fight than I remember.”

There was a dark red puddle on the floor. It wouldn’t grow. Rosette felt her leg

had already sealed. She had fresh dragon’s blood coursing through her system working

its wonders. When Benoit tried to tend to her, she grabbed the wrap. Wiping as much



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blood as possible from her skin, Rosette tied it at her thigh. With the camouflage of

seepage, Leah wouldn’t see that she had miraculously healed if she checked it later.

Feigning a limp, Rosette took her seat.

She ate across from her father with Leah between them sitting at the head of the

table. They were served lunch by staff, none of whom looked pleased at the potential

shift in power to Queen Crazy.

“Has she explained her ridiculous plan?” King Aldric asked.

“And yet, here I have the very leverage needed to force your hand.” Leah smiled

menacingly. It could have been her normal self or Queen Crazy.

“Yes, I’ll do whatever you want now. Even fall on my own sword or willing eat

your poison. Maximilien will not.”

Leah threw her plate at the wall like a petulant child. “We’ll get him.” She

predicted. “He thinks he can trust his men because they have been together for two

measly years. My network of spies weaves deeper than he knows.”

Benoit was called away to tend to some business.

“I know that you’re confused right now.” Leah told Rosette cupping her hand

over Rosette’s. “It will be hard for you at first but soon you’ll be happier and see that I

did what was best for me and you and the greater good.”

Aldric’s eyes were fixed on Rosette. When Leah was giving an order to one of

the servants he mouthed “get out.”

Rosette couldn’t leave him. There was a hidden portal to the corridor. If only

they could get there before either were hurt. It wouldn’t matter if Leah saw where they

went. Once in the labyrinth, Rosette had the advantage. Even if they ran into another

horned asp, Rosette could take the brunt of its fangs without consequence.

Benoit was back and agitated. “If you have a moment, Queen Leah.”

Leah grabbed Rosette’s bloody thigh and dug in her nails. Rosette exaggerated

her reaction. “Don’t do anything stupid.” Leah left with Benoit.

Rosette moved to her father’s side.

The two guards stood with their hands on their hilts. With his hands tied, King

Aldric wasn’t a threat and they didn’t see a need to fret a girl. Leah’s vision of women

domination wasn’t even acknowledged in her own troops. The fact that her legions were



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all men made Rosette think that Leah wasn’t as forward thinking as she believed herself

to be.

“Run. I’ll be fine.” Aldric fabricated in a soft tone.

“Not without you.”

“Obstinate brat.” He smirked.

“I take after my father.”



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Little Princess is Big Trouble

“Little Princess, use the knife on the table.” Rosette heard Gisele’s voice. “Kill

the guards and go into the passage.”

Rosette froze. She glanced at the corrugated blade on the breadboard. It wasn’t

much of a defense. Casually she reached to slice a piece of bread. The overly confident

goons didn’t even budge. In one smooth motion, she kicked back her chair that caught

one man unaware. She lunged slashing the other’s neck. He screamed but his severed

windpipe silenced it.

The first guard’s sword pierced through her back to her front. Aldric rushed him.

The two men fell back. Still holding his sword, it slid out of Rosette’s body with a moist

pop. She bent to grab the dead man’s weapon. It stung. The mending wasn’t complete

but it was started.

Her father was pinned to the ground with the guard straddled over his torso ready

to plunge his soiled saber into the King’s heart. The man’s eyes bugged out and he fell

over with a blade impaling his heart.

Aldric sat up and Rosette cut his ropes. “Hurry!” She pulled him to his feet.

“You’re wounded.” The King reached at her bloody clothes.

“I’m fine.” That wasn’t completely true. She wanted to vomit but she didn’tallow it.

His fingers felt her abdomen. It was good as new. “How is this possible?”

“Later.”

They took the weapons and ran to the hidden door. They were safer, for a while.

“We have to be quiet until we get to the underground.”

Her father was slow. Weakened from the week of mistreatment.

“Go to the throne room, Little Princess.” Gisele suggested.

Trusting the dragon knew better, Rosette obeyed. Rounding the corner she heard

voices.

“I didn’t call you in here for that.” Benoit said.

“We’re almost done. Why not have a private celebration of our success?” Leah

cooed.



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“We have a problem. Maximilien is addressing the people.”

“Where?”

“In the square.”

“Have him brought to me at once.” She commanded.

“We are out numbered.”

“The men cannot betray me. They are compelled by the loyalty potion.”

“Our men have been rounded up.”

“How many?”

“All in the guards and any showing a weapon. They started with those but that

covers nine of ten. We need to leave. There are units working their way through the

castle guards and staff even now.”

“No.” Leah refused. “How can Max’s men have my men when we have so many

in his forces?”

“Villagers and Gitanos came from all over the kingdom, some from neighboring

kingdoms. We had no spies there and they have come to Maximilien’s aid. They ordered

every man to disarm and searched them. If they found their contracts ensuring payment

from you they were imprisoned. If not, they were cleared.”

“Villagers and Gitanos?” Leah scoffed. “Why would they help Max and not me?

I’ll be twice the monarch he could ever be.”

“The Prince has spent the last two years helping communities with his men. They

are repaying the favor.” Benoit paused. “We have to leave.”

“Not without my father and sister.” They walked out.

“She’s in for a big disappointment.” Aldric whispered. He almost felt bad for

Benoit who would be the only person around for Queen Crazy to unleash on when she

saw her dead guards and no King or Princess.

Rosette went to her room. She didn’t need to enter. By the hidden door was a

cabinet where she kept all her precious things. She pulled out an envelope.

Her father looked at her curiously.

“A surprise.” She whispered.

“Rosette?” Eloise called from the other side of the wall. “Is that you?”



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“Eloise?” Rosette motioned for her father to stay hidden and she opened the door

to her room. Eloise was dressed in one of her favorite gowns of Rosette’s. They hugged.

“I thought you were dead.” Eloise said.

“I’m fine.” Rosette wanted to tell her everything but she didn’t have time. She

debated taking her with them or leaving her behind. Eloise was probably being kept

prisoner because she was Rosette’s lady in waiting.

They heard a knock at the door. Rosette hid behind the curtain by a large vase of

dried flowers. From her angle, she saw much of the room through the mirror. Benoit

strolled in.

“Rosette is missing.” Benoit said to Eloise knowing the Princess might look for

her comrade.

Eloise walked around Benoit until Rosette only saw her back and his profile.

Then Eloise slapped the guard.

“Do that again and it will be the last thing you do.” Benoit dared. “First you try

to seduce me, then you hit me. What is the meaning of this?”

Not wanting him to see her coming or have a chance to call in backup Rosette

snuck out and hit Benoit over the head with the vase. He was down. She grabbed for his

sword but Eloise got it first.

“We’re suppose to leave you alive but I’ll say I had no choice?” Eloise sneered as

her eyes dropped to the bloodstain on Rosette’s dress. “It seems I’m not the only one that

thinks your better off dead. Move.”

Rosette stepped away from the secret door, holding the sword she took from the

guard up and ready. Eloise didn’t want her getting away and she wasn’t satisfied until

she stood between the hidden passage and the Princess.

“Did Leah poison you against us?” Rosette asked.

Eloise laughed maniacally. “No. There wasn’t a need. I approached Leah and

offered my services to her before she hatched this scheme.”

“Why?” The Princess saw the door crack open. Aldric would make his move

soon.

“For a high position on Leah’s advisory staff.”



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Benoit groaned as he woke up grabbing his head. His eyes darted up to the two

women. “Rosette.”

“You’re an idiot.” Eloise derided. “Why would I slap you unless something was

amiss? Didn’t you see me looking towards the balcony?”

“I guess I’ve been around Leah too much.”

“I’ll tell her you said that.”

Benoit stood up and held his hand for his sword.

“Take hers.” Eloise suggested.

“Princess.” Benoit held out his hand.

The King couldn’t wait if he wanted two of the three blades in their hands. He

leapt out and charged at Eloise, who was the larger threat having a drawn weapon. Eloise

spun in time to avoid the clean kill but her arm was wounded. The sword was heavy and

she couldn’t maneuver as well with one arm.

Benoit had done something very peculiar. When he heard the ruckus, he stood in

front of Rosette as if protecting her. He thought Eloise was going for the kill and he

knew Leah would not approve.

“With one scream, there will be a dozen armed men here before you could blink.”

Eloise cautioned.

“She’s lying.” Benoit said. “She isn’t under guard. This part of the castle is

nearly deserted except for staff and most of them aren’t supporting Leah.”

Eloise lunged for Benoit but he dodged the blade while keeping Rosette behind

him.

Rosette was reeling trying to figure out whom to trust, if either. The King was

confused as well as he held his sword ready for the outcome of their bickering.

“I told Leah not to trust you. I told her to give you the loyalty serum.”

“And she listened to me.” Benoit sneered. “Because she needed someone sane in

her allegiance.”

“You’re a traitor.” Eloise yelled. “I’m sane.”

She lunged again with her wobbly sword. Benoit grabbed the hilt of his sword

and knocked Eloise in the face with his fist in one smooth stroke. She fell to the floor

unconscious. He was about to kill her.



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“No.” Rosette said.

“I have to or Leah will know I mean to undermine her take over.”

“Give me your sword and come with us.” Aldric offered. He would allow him a

chance of redemption but not while armed.

“I can serve you better from inside.” Benoit protested but handed over his sword

as a sign of good faith.

“The advantage is insignificant at this point. Come with us so we will know you

are not reporting on our whereabouts.”

“As you wish.” Benoit said with a bow of the head. “We should hurry. Leah

plans to confront Maximilien in the square.”

“Father, do you think this is wise?” Rosette held her sword up to Benoit ready for

a trick.

“Little Princess, Clever Benoit is good.” Gisele said. She had been conveniently

quiet when Eloise had almost recaptured them. “Leave now. Leah is coming.”

Rosette led the way to the lower levels. “Stay back. There were snakes here

before.”

“Horned asps?” Aldric knew the poison of choice from Leah’s first attempt at the

throne.

“Yes.” She answered. “They can’t hurt me.” Finding a lantern, she lit it. They

passed the two headless bodies of the snakes Philippe had killed a week earlier.

Despite Benoit’s presence, Rosette updated her father on the details of her body’s

mysterious recuperating powers. When they got to the exit between the Boutique and the

Baker, it was blocked – the same for one between the Butcher and Tavern.

“She’s sealed the doors.” Rosette declared.

“We’ll find one that Leah didn’t know about.” Benoit said. “She couldn’t have

been certain she knew them all or she wouldn’t have put the asps here.”

Aldric took the lantern from Rosette’s hand and held it to her face. “You took

dragon’s blood?”

“Yes.”

“But that will drive you mad. That is what happened to Leah. She got a supply

and drank it. You did notice her madness?”



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“I did.” Rosette hadn’t felt signs of any mental decay. Pilar and very likely

Anabella had been treated with dragon’s blood in their past and they were coherent.

“Dragon’s blood is only harmful if it is taken without permission. It does two

very curious things, binds the spirits and searches for balance.” Benoit said knowing far

too much on the topic. “Leah bought gallons from a merchant that had slain a dragon for

it and who knows how old it was. The blood spoils and it’s healing potency decreases.

It’s one thing to take it without payment, but to drink of a dead dragon’s blood has dire

consequences. Taking dragon’s blood connects one to the dragon forever. Leah is

connected to death because of it and that drives her mad. But she learned that anyone

that drank after her was bound to do her bidding categorically. They do lose their senses

but those affects are also weakened the more time the blood ages.”

“How do you know this?” Rosette demanded.

“My mother was saved by a dragon. They are partial to damsels in distress.”

“Who is your mother?”

“Anabella.” He said.

“Liar.” She countered. “Philippe never told me he had a brother.”

“Why would he?”

Perhaps Philippe knew how it would look if he told her Benoit was his brother.

Did he know that Benoit was looking to undo Leah’s plot? Or did he believe his own

flesh and blood had betrayed the Kingdom. “Let’s keep checking for a way out.”

Rosette moved back down the way they came.

“Little Princess, go to the first exit.” Gisele told her.

“We checked that one.” She said to the air.

“Little Princess, go to the first exit.” Apparently dragons weren’t only particular

on when they spoke but didn’t like clarifying directions they determined were clear

enough already.

Doubtfully she returned to the first exit and tried to open the door. As before it

didn’t budge. Frustrated she shrugged.

“Do you hear that?” Aldric asked.



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She listened. Footsteps scuffled not far on the other side of the wall. Had Leah

sent her few free loyalists to find them? Someone was removing whatever stood in the

door’s way.

“We’ll wait.” Aldric said. “The dragon told you to come here for a reason.”

“No light and we stand back.” Benoit doused the lantern.

“Here.” She handed him one of the two weapons she carried.

“Keep it. If anyone bad comes through, I’ll grab one.” He pushed her hand back.

Rosette prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. Soon the door opened and

Philippe peeked in. “Give me that.” He pointed to someone behind him not seeing

Rosette hiding in the shadows.

She was in his arms before whoever was retrieving whatever he wanted could

hand it over.

He kissed her. “Why am I not surprised you got out on your own?”

“Philippe? Why didn’t you take her far away?” King Aldric blurted out.

“Father, Leah found me at Maximilien’s camp. Philippe wasn’t guarding me.”

She slid out of Philippe’s arms realizing her father wouldn’t care to see their closeness.

The Gitanos with the exception of Evangelina and Diego were with Philippe on his covert

mission.

The sun was brilliant. After so much time in the tunnels, Rosette’s eyes stung. A

beam reflected from a rooftop. She had to turn away. “Where’s Max?”

“Addressing the people in the square. He declared himself temporary Monarch

until you were returned, your highness.” Philippe bowed to King Aldric.



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Closing Ceremony Begins

“We need to get to the square.” King Aldric commanded.

Pilar threw her cloak over Rosette’s back. “Good to see you Little Princess.”

“Perhaps you should put on my cloak.” Hernando hinted to the King. “You’re

clothes are too fancy and will draw attention.”

“Thank you.” Aldric put his hand on Hernando’s shoulder. “We’ve met?” He

glanced up to Pilar and uncertainty passed to positive conviction. “Pilar?”

She curtseyed. “Your highness.”

King Aldric pulled Pilar into a tight hug. “I never thought I’d see you again.” He

turned to Rosette, “This isn’t the first time this Gitana has saved your life. When your

mother nearly killed you, she came to me. Said she could help you. I didn’t trust her but

was desperate. She cooked all kinds of crazy broths.”

Pilar laughed. “Herbs and love was all that was needed.”

“I don’t remember.” Rosette said.

“Even after you woke, you weren’t yourself. I had to leave before you were fully

recovered.”

“I told her she could have anything she named. I expected the usual land, money

and livestock. She asked me to never beat you again.” The King’s face saddened toremember he struck his daughter maliciously.

“He hasn’t.” Rosette said.

“I know.” Pilar ran her hand down Rosette’s face. “One look at you as a woman

and I knew you were well loved. Of course, I didn’t think you were the Princess at the

time. You’ve grown up even more lovely than I could have foreseen, and I am very good

at predictions.”

Philippe took off his cloak and gave it to his brother. “You can’t roam the streets.

We’ll be stopped and the men are looking for you.”

“We can’t split up now. I’ll see that no one harms him.” Aldric assured.

The Gitanos were armed and ready. Twice units of soldiers demanded papers.

Everyone with a weapon needed a paper with Maximilien’s signet on it. Benoit was quite



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the problem and the King had to show his ring and order the men to let him pass.

Progress was slow.

At the square it was impossible to move. Max stood on the platform. Across

from him was Leah looking murderous. Rosette fought to watch with her tired eyes. The

sun was behind them and she could see few details besides their silhouettes. The effects

were playing tricks on her eyes. The background undulated like looking far away on a

hot day.

“Where are King Aldric and Princess Rosette?” Maximilien demanded.

“They are safe for now.” She answered. “As long as I live, so do they.”

Rosette couldn’t yell that they were there in that crowd. Some of Leah’s Loyalist

hadn’t been uncovered. Philippe tried to pry through the mob but the people were

reluctant to make way for so many.

“What do you want?” Maximilien asked.

“I charge that as the oldest, I am rightful heir to the throne. None can argue I

have just cause to dispute you as successor.”

“There are plenty of facts you’re leaving out. The first attempt on Father’s life.

The current forced captivity of Royalty. The fact that you aren’t lucid at moments.”

Leah’s face contorted at the last comment. “My dizzy spells are under control.”

She knew she wasn’t well. “I challenge you to a duel. If I win, you step aside. If I lose,

the King and the Princess will be released.”

“Even if I step aside, you cannot be crowned with a murder attempt on your

record.”

“I have evidence that Mother was behind that revolt and I was framed.” She

pulled out a parchment and handed it Maximilien.

The Prince looked it over. “This is only proves mother was involved. It doesn’t

exonerate you.”

“It is more proof than what little evidence they had to arrest me. And I was never

tried. Without a fair trial, your claim I’m a murderer is slander contrived by you and

father to remove me from your path.”



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Rosette knew it was rubbish but she wondered what the crowd thought. Eldest

children usually succeeded their parents. It was rare that a younger child was named next

in line. She looked around and the people were befuddled.

Maximilien handed Leah’s paper back to her. “We’ll duel.” He accepted.

“No.” Rosette shouted knowing there had to be a trick behind Leah’s challenge.

Unfortunately the crowd cheered excited to see a match with such high stakes and no one

heard her warning.

Maximilien and Leah went to their perspective entourages. Leah nervously toyed

with her gold chain. It had to be a trick or she wanted to die a victim because no one

could best Maximilien.

Benoit and Ciriaco helped Philippe push through. They were closing the distance.

Maximilien’s drew his sword. It was a present from their father when he was of

age. The hilt was jeweled with a large emerald on the end.

Leah’s sword was equally suiting but hideous. Her hilt was designed to look like

a serpent with a horn over each eye. Leah ran the tips of her fingers over the blade edge.

Eloise moved and a sunbeam hit Rosette’s eyes. When she looked back, she saw a

dagger with the same ugly snakehead hilt in the hands of the woman she once considered

her closest confidant. Eloise seductively ran her fingers along its blade. With a wink,

Leah closed a vial on her chain.

Realizing one vial had been the last of the illicitly bought dragon’s blood that spilt

on the bedroom floor, the epiphany that the other was extracted snake venom hit.

“She’s going to poison him.” Rosette told the King. “We have to stop this.” She

reached for a dagger from Philippe’s person. It was a long way to throw but she was sure

she could make it.

Aldric held her hand. “If you kill her now, everyone will believe her lies. We

have no choice but to let them play it out.”

“Eloise has a poisoned dagger.” She spoke loudly but couldn’t be heard over the

roar of the crowd. It was starting.

The sun was setting and when the two older siblings circled each other, the bright

light flickered between their shadows. Rosette couldn’t look away. Through unforgiving

beams and wavy scenery, she kept moving forward at a snail’s pace but didn’t look away.



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Leah lurched forward clearly hoping to nick Maximilien. It wouldn’t take much

more than a scratch. He knocked her sword down and cut her forearm. The mob booed.

He understood why. He looked like a bully. So much for the new world order.

“Don’t let her cut you.” Rosette screamed. If he thought to make it look more

evenly matched, he might allow a hit and that would be the end of him.

Rosette veered off and slid through the crowd alone. Being a woman and only

one person, she made quicker progress. She heard her father order Philippe to follow her.

A pat on a shoulder and a smile would get the men stepping aside to let her pass.

Leah made another lunge for Maximilien as Rosette ran on stage and stood

between them. Seeing that his good sister may get hurt, Maximilien deflected the sword

and pulled Rosette behind him.

“I’m an heir too.” Rosette shouted and the crowd quieted to hear. A third

contender on the platform intrigued them.

“You can fight me once he’s dead.” Leah’s wicked self showed through.

“Is Dad okay?” Maximilien asked and Rosette nodded. That didn’t matter. They

had to finish the public spectacle for the sake of posterity.

“Get out of the way.” Leah shrieked. “I’ll deal with you later.”

“You have no claim on the throne.” Rosette called out. “And I have proof.”

Leah’s hateful eyes twitched nervously. “What proof?”

“This.” Rosette pulled out the envelope. It was sealed with both sisters’ signets.

Leah’s ring had been confiscated upon her arrest and destroyed after her disappearance.

Even without it for validation, the signet was of the family crest with her name scrolled

across.

Giving it to Maximilien he opened it and read. “It’s a confession and a promise to

never return under penalty of death in exchange for Rosette’s help to save you from

beheading. It is in your handwriting.”

When Rosette was ten and eavesdropping on the discussions regarding Leah and

her crimes, she got an education on legal processes. She knew to let Leah go, there

needed to be a contract signed and sealed.

Maximilien held the document for Leah to inspect.



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Rosette was too slow and Leah too fast as she cut Maximilien’s arm with her

blade. It wasn’t deep but it didn’t have to be.

The crowd got ugly. King Aldric burst through with his Gitano entourage.

Rosette grabbed Maximilien before he dropped as he lost his balance. Pilar was

on his other side. Seeing Eloise make her move, Philippe reached out and caught the

dagger by the handle before it poisoned Aldric.

“He’s dead. Who’s going to be your heir now? Rosette or me? Both of us are

forbidden to succeed you.” Leah lifted her sword and ran to behead Rosette grunting.

“I’ll make the choice easy.”

With so many people around Rosette had little place to run. Philippe put himself

in the line of fire with his sword in one hand and confiscated dagger in the other.

Leah swung as she took her final steps ready to kill Rosette’s protector. Philippe

stood ready but Benoit jumped in front of his brother ready to take the blade even without

one of his own. It wasn’t needed. There was a mighty gust of wind from nowhere.

Suddenly it looked like Queen Crazy hit a wall and then flew backwards. The snakehead

sword clanked uselessly on the platform.

Philippe and Benoit stood cautious and confused.

This time, it wasn’t rocks that came to become Gisele. She had blended in with

the castle and crowd. When she was fully visible, the blue skinned dragon had Leah

pinned to the ground with one mighty claw. Smoke puffed out her nostrils as they flared.

Her wings flinched nervously from recent flight.

Those closest to the stage tried to back up as those farther away tried to get a

better look. It was deadlock.

“Little Princess, I don’t care for your tricky sister. Would you like me to kill

her?” Gisele licked her lips. Gisele didn’t eat people as a rule but she would make the

exception.

“We have a legal process to follow.” Aldric answered as he crept nearer the

fabled dragon. “You saved my daughter.”

“Gentle King, I am bound to Little Princess by our shared blood.” Gisele’s

fingers curled around Leah’s neck. “This one has tasted dragon’s blood as well. But it

was not given to her.”



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“It was.” Leah spat out.

Fire shot out and scorched the ground to the left of Leah’s head. “Not by its

owner!”

That outburst got the entire crowd edging away.

Leah cried hysterically.

“But you didn’t mind the madness once you saw that anyone that took of the

blood after that was devoted to your commands. Greedy Girl wanted to try for the throne

again.” Gisele looked at the King and batted her eyes as if to charm him. “Please, let me

deal with her using a dragon process.” Gisele’s largeness and her mouth of razor sharp

teeth weakened the charming affect.

“It’s tempting.” Aldric almost agreed. “We’ll see that justice is served.”

Rosette grabbed two mugs from onlookers. “You’re next one’s on me.” She

offered as she dumped the ale. Philippe took one to Maximilien and Rosette walked over

to Giselle. “Kind Dragon, could I trouble you for more blood.”

“Sovereign Prince,” Gisele addressed Maximilien directly. “There are things you

need to be aware of before we can exchange blood.”

Maximilien was barely coherent.

“He knows.” Rosette said.

Gisele gave her disclaimers regardless. Then she filled one mug and ate the other.



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Betrothed

For the last two days Rosette had been in meeting after meeting sorting through

the mess that was left behind. Maximilien took care of the re-commissioning the

soldiers. Aldric worked with the castle staff. Rosette was responsible for the formalities

of the villagers and Gitanos that came through when the army was temporarily unreliable.

The first group was her friends from Hernando’s caravan and Philippe’s parents. That

was the only time she had seen them and she hadn’t seen Philippe but at the occasional

meeting or in passing.

Maximilien named Philippe Captain of the Guards while Leopold recovered. He

had barely managed to survive a brutal beating and a week in the dungeons. The guards

that shared his cell were good men and saw to his care as best they could in ruthless

conditions. When Leopold returned, Maximilien would keep Philippe as second in

command.

Benoit was trickier to deal with. The King believed he was never disloyal and

only baited Leah along but too many guards and staff saw him as a villain. On

recommendation of his mother Anabella, they agreed to keep him on as a new bakery

chef. As it turned out, he preferred that. The cooking staff welcomed him, willing to

trust the King’s judgment. In time it would spread through the castle.Leah had finally gone completely mad. When she did, her mysterious loyalty

powers died. Those who had conspired with her under its influence were still held

accountable but at less severe consequences. The soldiers who aided her were removed

from the guards and all were ordered to never carry weapons in public areas under

penalty of imprisonment. For the time being, Leah’s execution was stayed. Eloise and

others who conspired of their own freewill were to be tried. Gisele could discern who

had drunk dragon’s blood and who had not.

Rosette’s only escape had been to see Gisele. It took some cajoling but the

dragon agreed to stay for a visit of undetermined amount of time. The first two nights the

dragon stayed in the field with the Gitano. There was great interest in her and she had

little privacy even under a tent. Rosette had found a good solution that suited the

Princess and dragon well.



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The Princess walked into the smaller great hall to see Gisele. Servants were

clearing out the last of the wall décor and wooden furniture.

“Is that needed?” Rosette asked as two men rolled up a tapestry of a unicorn in

the woods.

“Little Princess, I told your father that I snore. Gentle King doesn’t understand

dragon humor.”

Rosette laughed. She remembered Brave Philippe thinking Gisele had called

them to her cave for lunchmeat. “It’s an acquired taste.”

“Little Princess, thank you for these arrangements. Everyday more people arrive

to see me. I’m just a dragon. I had nothing to do with that. But there are so many

people.”

It was true. Even though the official end of the Millennium Celebration had

passed, Aldric extended it another week. The Gitano grounds had to be expanded and all

the hotels and homes were at full capacity. Even the castle was preparing to double up

guests as neighboring monarchs and their families were expected that night.

“Not every kingdom has a Kind Dragon.” Rosette reminded her friend.

Gisele walked around and leaned out to see the crowds in the square. “They

should.”

Understanding dragon humor Rosette snickered. “I’ll stop by after you eat and

before I go to the ball.”

Gisele nuzzled Rosette and curled up on the bare floor next to the rug the King

had brought for comfort. Dragons must like stone because it kept them cool. Already the

hall was getting warm and stuffy.

Rosette prepared for the big evening. She was most excited to see Philippe and

even if it was in the middle of a crowd, they could talk about anything they wanted. Her

new dress was grander as promised. It was burgundy and perfect.

After more banter with Gisele, she went to the main great hall. Aside from

overworking, the last two days had been absolute ecstasy. At the site of Prince Antonio

with her father, her light heart was deflated. Antonio was her betrothed. She would not

be allowed much time with Philippe. Before she believed her prearranged marriage to be

a nuisance. Now it would be near impossible.



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Philippe was with his parents and Hernando’s caravan. Seeing his favorite

Princess, Philippe winked at her and nodded his head towards the balcony.

Rosette circumnavigated the crowd and arrived at their rendezvous spot first. The

night was clear and the moon full. What a waste of romantic ambiance. Dread sunk in.

He knew she was betrothed. Would it matter to him? Had his uncertainty passed into

love or friendship?

Philippe embraced and kissed her. “It’s been a long two days.”

She nodded.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. You’re very handsome.”

Philippe pulled back. “Shall we discuss the weather now?”

His sarcasm surprised her.

“Aren’t you pleased to see me?” He asked perplexed by her overtly civil

demeanor.

“I am.” Rosette meant to give him a kind kiss but it morphed into passion.

“That’s better.” He brushed back her hair. “Is something wrong?”

She sighed. “I’m betrothed.”

“I know.”

What did he expect from her? She wasn’t going to have an affair. He wouldn’t

settle to be a second man in her life even if she was willing.

A mischievous look crossed his face. “Well, I guess we know where this

conversation is headed.” He took her arm and led her into the hall.

Rosette knew what she had to do. She would make a plea to her father to release

her from her matrimonial obligation. “I’ll come find you later.”

“I’m going with you.” Philippe told her and led them to her father, who

thankfully had left Antonio. “King Aldric, Rosette wishes to be released from her

betrothal. I disagree but that is what she wants.”

Aldric frowned at his odd comments. “Does my daughter speak through you?”

“I can speak for myself.” Rosette answered annoyed by Philippe’s denial that he

wanted her free for himself.

“Is what he says true?”



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“Yes father.”

“Okay, you’re released.” The King dismissed and almost left. “I meant to

discuss this with you earlier. Another man had come forward asking for your hand. He

had a compelling argument and I accepted. I have told Antonio that you could not marry

him.”

Rosette looked at the grinning Philippe. “You’re very mean.”

“We had conditions.” Philippe reminded the king.

“Yes, he said you had to promise never to make him another meal. Says you

can’t even peel a potato.”

Rosette laughed. “I’ll learn to cook and won’t let him eat any of my fabulous

meals.”

The ball went slowly after that. The Gitanos congratulated them. Maximilien

was equally pleased. Rosette and Philippe were among the last to leave.

“When did you talk to Father?” The Princess wondered as he escorted her to her

chambers.

“When you were serving dragon’s blood to your brother.”

“You waited that long. How did you get him to change his mind?”

Philippe looked wounded. “He made the offer before I had a chance to ask.” He

kissed her good night. She urged him into her room but he held his arms out to keep

from entering the door. “King Aldric had a condition as well. He made me promise to

respect the sanctimony of the marriage.”

“That’s a year away.” Rosette gasped. The dragon’s blood that exaggerated her

emotions was working on her carnal desires as well. She’d never make it.

Nibbling on her neck he whispered, “We renegotiated that as well. The last day

of the Celebration.”



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Gitano & the Princess