"Why?" Alice couldn't help but ask. "It's Rose, isn't it?"
Spade shrugged. "Becoming the next queen of Gladiolum isn't all the glitz and glamor that she is thinking it is. If what you say is true, it will not help her brother one bit."
"She will have access to the best doctors!" Alice argued. "Cedar can be saved―"
"He is beyond saving," Spade calmly stated. "It's not just the matter of his illness but his birth."
"Just because he wasn't born a noble?" Alice asked, frowning.
"No," Spade said. "It wouldn't be an issue if he were an ordinary peasant. However, his sister isn't. That's what's detrimental."
***
Spade was right.
The announcement was soon made about Rose's engagement to Prince Hartley, and the kingdom was in a celebratory mood for many days after that. However, even though Rose Whitaker was one step closer to her goal, she didn't look happy in any way.
