Lady Rose Goodwin stared at Elise and sighed inwardly. "As I said, it is my duty…"
"Please, I am aware that if it weren't for me, perhaps Loriel would have been betrothed to you," Elise said. "I am a foreigner here in Summeria and if it weren't for the oath between my mother and the queen dowager, I would not be here."
Rose did not say anything at once. "...Perhaps that would have been the case, but as far as I am aware, you are here, Your Highness, and it is up to me to make sure that you are fit to rule the kingdom."
"And if I am not capable of ruling this kingdom? Or I fail to please the measurement that you or your father have laid out?" Elise raised a brow. "What would you do?"
"Then I would…" Rose bit down on her lip and stared at the princess.
